Electrical query

[JDgreen227]

I did something dumb yesterday, finished washing my ATV with a nearly new C-H 1600psi electrical power washer, then drove over the power cord and the deep lugs on a rear tire caught on the cord. By the time I realized what was happening the cord had wrapped around the axle and become shredded. The 3-prong GFCI plug was jerked from the outlet and the cord was damaged about two feet from where it enters the power washer.

My solution was, instead of splicing the power cord back together, I installed a 3 prong male plug on the short cord to the power washer, then a 3 prong receptacle on the longer cord that had the GFCI. By doing this, I now have a portable GFCI power cord that can be used for other projects, and there is no need to coil up and store a long cord on the washer as I formerly had to.

Does anyone feel this is an unsafe repair?

 

[GaryM]

I would be concerned about two thing:

The water resistance of the connection to the short cord.

The possibility of someone using a non-GFI cord with the power washer.

You could splice the cords together with a plastic waterproof box. The kind with the strain relief that locks the cord in place. I believe these are waterproof.

I'm certain Inspector 507 will have some good advice.

 

[California]

I made a similar GFI adapter to improve an outlet in a storage barn that was just plain scary - see attached. Lots of ungrounded metal over a damp earth floor.

That's a GFI from the end of a hair dryer cord with a female outlet in place of the hair dryer, placed ahead of the multiple outlet strip.

(That light bulb is still controlled by screwing it in or out, just like Dad did for 50 years).

Everything at the ranch is as decrepit as that multiple outlet strip and should have been retired long ago. This GFI is a band-aid until I replace the building. As a side benefit, I now switch on or off all the other lights at once using the trip and reset buttons on the GFI.

I hope Inspector 507 doesn't see this!

 

[Inspector507]

Yeah, I saw it.............sure hope y'all got good insurance coverage......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[_RaT_]

I personnally see no issue with this. Many styles of portable GFI protection exist today. The use of electricity is also somewhat dependent on having a knowledge of what your doing and the responsibility of the user. Even using a GFI is no absolute gurantees you won't receive a lethal shock. You could do things to ensure that any family member who unknowingly might use your washer has GFI protection. Zip tie the two plugs together or better yet, ensure that all outlets available for you to plug your washer into are GFI protected. If it's a new home, they should already be if they are outside or in the garage. If not, you could easily do it. If you need to install GFI's, get the better quality ones and preferably 20 amp style. A better quality one will be $12 or more versus $8 or so. Rat...

 

[JDgreen227]

Inspector 507, if California didn't want you to see his installation he should not have posted the picture... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Every single exterior outlet on my house and 3 outbuildings is GFI protected. The power runs from the house to a sub panel mounted on a light pole, and the breakers in that panel serve the outbuildings. The panels inside the buildings have a GFI breaker that serves as a main, and the exterior outlets have a GFI receptacle. Whatever I plug in anywhere outdoors has at least two means of protection.

Still, I am aware that even GFI outlets don't protect against certain types of electrical shock hazard...so caution is the watchword. Thanks for the input !!

 

[SCB]

I have to agree with Gary. I am an electrician by trade and would strongly suggest a moisture proof splice. The other alternative is to remove the 2' piece on the P/W and install the longer piece in it's place.