Extension cord repair.

[N80]

I have a heavy gauge, 100 foot outdoor extension cord that spent a year sitting outside while I built my log cabin 10 years ago. It ran from the temp power pole to the work site. During that time rats chewed holes in it in about 20 places. They only chewed through the exterior covering and not through the insulation of the individual wires. At the time, I just wrapped these areas in electrician's tape, which is now falling off. I'd like to make a better repair as these cords are quite pricey.

Anyone have any ideas? Would PlastiDip work?

 

[Egon]

Can you put piece of hose over the bad spots and fill it with silicon.

 

[Deere Dude]

Use a better grade of tape.

 

[kennyd]

Use a better grade of tape.

Exactly what I was going to write...

Another option: Cut one plug off, and slide sections of heat shrink tubing over the bad spots, then replace the plug.

 

[mark02tj]

Exactly what I was going to write...

Another option: Cut one plug off, and slide sections of heat shrink tubing over the bad spots, then replace the plug.

This. ^^^

 

[Mendonsy]

They make waterproof heat shrink tubing with adhesive inside it. It works great!!
You need to buy the correct size to fit over the cord (probably about 3/4") and shrink it with a heat gun. It will shrink down to about 60% of the original size and make a waterproof seal.

 

[Rustyiron]

3M brand elecrtical tape. 2" wide if you can find it.

 

[KubotainNH]

Unless you want to cut it, tape it up well and run some small zip ties over the end of the tape. If you want to cut the bad section out or put a new plug on one end then as mentioned, a couple layers of heatshrink will do. If you cut the cord then it's best to solder it back together with layers of heatshrink on each wire then a couple layers over the whole thing.

 

[Oldtink]

Scotch 23 rubber splicing tape followed by 33 or 88 vinyl over top. Clean the dirt off the jacket first.

 

[kenmac]

Scotch 23 rubber splicing tape followed by 33 or 88 vinyl over top. Clean the dirt off the jacket first.

If you are going to use tape.. I vote for this rubber tape .. It's good stuff..Much better than the nylon tape

 

[N80]

Thanks guys. I think I'll do the heat shrink. The tape I used was 3m electrical tape and it stayed on for 4-5 years but I'd like something more permanent. I will look into that rubber tape though. Would be a lot less trouble and I wouldn't have to cut one of the plugs off.

 

[MossRoad]

"Clean the dirt off first" is probably the best advice given so far. :thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks guys. I think I'll do the heat shrink. The tape I used was 3m electrical tape and it stayed on for 4-5 years but I'd like something more permanent. I will look into that rubber tape though. Would be a lot less trouble and I wouldn't have to cut one of the plugs off.

I find that, often, a replacement plug on the female end is an upgrade to the cord.
,,,larry

 

[LD1]

Good thoughts so far. I like the heat shrink idea as well.

At work we are not allowed to repair any cords. Even cord ends. I guess its an osha violation or something. All our cords have to have molded plugs and no repairs. OR we have to throw them out.

So needless to say, I have more "repaired" extension cords than I'll ever use:laughing:

 

[Mendonsy]

You might want to get something similar to this just to have it handy.
106-Piece-Waterproof-Shrink

 

[SPYDERLK]

Good thoughts so far. I like the heat shrink idea as well.

At work we are not allowed to repair any cords. Even cord ends. I guess its an osha violation or something. All our cords have to have molded plugs and no repairs. OR we have to throw them out.

So needless to say, I have more "repaired" extension cords than I'll ever use:laughing:

I guess its because you cant trust people to do it right even tho the good replacement plugs capture the conductors securely and provide excellent strain relief. - - What a shame.

,,,Molded female plugs seldom hold up to continuous drain. They heat and loosen. A chain reaction failure.
larry

 

[LD1]

I guess its because you cant trust people to do it right even tho the good replacement plugs capture the conductors securely and provide excellent strain relief. - - What a shame.

,,,Molded female plugs seldom hold up to continuous drain. They heat and loosen. A chain reaction failure.
larry

Have no idea. I agree that the hubble repair ends are much better than molded ends IMO.

I dont even know for sure if it is an osha viloation? but thats the answer I always get is "If osha sees that, we'll get a big fine", but no one ever gives an answer as to "why".

Only possible thing I can think of is its possible to clip the ground wire, and have a 2-wire cord that "appears" to have a ground prong. But I dont see any reason to do that.

ANd we use those cord ends on different fans and light fixtures. Just not allowed to have them on power tools, or extension cords???? So if a ground prong on a power tool breaks, guess where it goes. (but most tools now only have 2-prongs anyway)

 

[Sodo]

Scotch 23 rubber splicing tape followed by 33 or 88 vinyl over top. Clean the dirt off the jacket first.

I've done this type of repair. And with heatshrink too.

I'd add recommendation to 'fill' the chewed areas of the jacket to level it out first. Then wrap it with quality vinyl tape or rubber splicing tape or both. Agree on topping with vinyl tape is good because it slides better than the rubber tapr, which seals 100% but is soft and can tear. But the vinyl only has a life of a few years outside, as you know. Heatshrink is better, durable, low-friction, but you have to remove an end.

For filling my current favorite for electrical is black "shoe goo". I've never tried "Liquid Electrical tape" but I bet its the same stuff only runnier. Be advised that even though Shoe Goo is thicker, it "runs" too before it sets, it will flow into and around the other wires, and you may have to refill it a 2nd time to get it 'level' before wrapping. Of course if you wrap it before it sets it will cave in for sure.

And be glad you don't have to pass OSHA inspection.

You forgot to include a pic of the log cabin.

 

[IslandTractor]

Split loom tubing could be used if you want a uniform appearance and protection against rodents. Might fit in 3/8" and if not 1/2". Only costs about $15 for 100 foot roll. Will make the cord bulkier but does a good job protecting the cord.

Personally I would just use either high quality duct tape or the stretchable sailors rigging tape.

 

[bcp]

Split loom tubing could be used if you want a uniform appearance and protection against rodents. Might fit in 3/8" and if not 1/2". Only costs about $15 for 100 foot roll. Will make the cord bulkier but does a good job protecting the cord.

Personally I would just use either high quality duct tape or the stretchable sailors rigging tape.

I like your store. Here it is $0.99 ft for 1/2 inch.

Bruce