Retractable (electrical) Extension Cord Suggestions?

[brian9000]

Changing direction in garage to add a (probably ceiling mount) cord retractor. Turns out there are a number of brands. Looking for ideas:

Plastic or metal construction? (I prefer metal, but open to better ideas)

I'm looking for 50 feet, 12g, want three plugs on the end of it. I don't care if they're lit or not

I don't want something that's flimsy and going to need replaced in three years. I'm going to guess the weak spot in these would be the return spring?? (I've got a couple retractable dog leashes and the spring wears out on them over time, rendering them useless)

I don't mind paying for quality. Prefer nothing made in china but also realize that might make it hard to find.

Vevor has a 12ga reel that comes in a couple lengths. I have 2 of these, one in the garage and one on the barn. Going on a year or so, they both work great. Seem to be pretty decent quality and very reasonable price. You can get them at vevor.com or through homedepot.com.

 

[dj1701]

I have had these for over 14 years now. 2 overhead and one mounted between the doors to reach farther outside. Not 12ga.

SL-8904: 50ft Retractable Polymer Cord Reel w/4 Outlets - 15amp

This Retractable Cord Reel has a 50' 12/3 SJTW Cord. With 4 separate grounded outlets and a 15 amp resettable circuit breaker, powering your projects is quick and easy. The outlet bar even has a built in LED status light to let you know you have power. Includes mounting brackets that allow it to...

www.baycoproducts.com

Same one I have. Been working for 10 years now with no problems.

 

[Dennis Mohn]

One thing i have noticed is 12 g extension cords tend to be downrated to 15 amps once they reach 50 feet and over. If you notice the HUGE 20 amp 100ft extension cords used on construction sites, they have different, thicker insulation materials and have real 20 amp receptacle ends. Not ment to plug into residential 15 amp outlets….at least the real ones ive used over the years.

I think the industrial cord reels ive seen rated at 20 amps have all been 30-45 foot runs for this reason.

With out getting into the construction of the cord , the longer the run , over 50ft., a larger conductor is needed to account for the resistance created in the line itself. So, an extension cord or reel over 50ft. may need a 10ga. conductor rather than a 12ga. to carry the 20 amp load. It protects you as well as your tool or equipment from damage that can happen by operating at less amperage than the tool requires.

 

[aatarget]

If you find one only with a single outlet. I have a triple short adapter that i plug into to have the flexibility for more outlets. I had a 3 head that went bad so I put a new end with plug lock that I can switch it out to the 3 head and it holds it without issues. mine is a northern tool that I've had for 10 years. Like I said the only issue was with the cord end.

 

[Todd727]

The ratcheting mechanism on the cheaper reels fails. Also the size of the housing can make it difficult to get the cord to smoothly retract. I think I have one from Northern Tool. I wouldn't buy it again. I have to have a spring clamp nearby to prevent the cord from retracting.

One thing I did was to replace the outlet with a locking receptacle. No more accidentally having a tool come unplugged. I also purchased a triple tap locking set. When I need more than one outlet, I lock that extension into the single locking receptacle. They work outstanding.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJWXKRXH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

3-Outlet Click-to-Lock Lighted Connector | Bad Ass Extension Cords

Say goodbye to accidental disconnects and power loss with triple the lighted connectors. Heavy-duty connector provides uninterrupted power and can be added to any standard extension cord.

badassextensioncords.com

 

[ultrarunner]

I did have the one I gave as a gift go bad when a Emglo air compressor was plugged in and burned it up…

I use mostly for trouble light and battery charging…

 

[farmboy666]

12g is going to be hard to find. Here's the 14g one I have used for more than a year with no issues:

Harbor Freight, $70 - VANGUARD 40 ft. x 14/3 Gauge Retractable Cord Reel with Triple Tap, Black​

You can find one in about 3 clicks.

 

[therrien]

You can find one in about 3 clicks.

If you want 20 amps you are going to pay.
When my employer was redoing my shop, the architects' put in cheap reals even though I told them what my electrical requirements were 20 amp. When I saw the 15 amp $40 reals I plugged my steel cutting circular saw into it and cut a 1/8" plate causing the real to smoke before the breaker tripped. I then told the architects to replace with what I needed. The price went from $40 to $500 per real in 2015. I do not remember what brand.

 

[Mcdust]

I know a guy who had alternator-starter shop that was a total loss because of a faulty reel, so the one I have is always unplugged when I'm not using it.
Amazon sells really nice seeming cord reels that you plug in then walk away with the reel unspooling. The one I bought is branded "Link2Home", is 12 ga, 13 amp, 50 feet long with a switch and breaker on the reel. 4 single outlets. not quite what you want but thought I'd toss it out there.

 

[LittleBill21]

seems unavailable, but I have used this for years without issue.

Amazon.com

 

[charlessenf]

I'm looking for 50 feet, 12g, want three plugs on the end of it. I don't care if they're lit or not

Which end do you want with three plugs?

Fifty feet! How high are your ceilings?

 

[LittleBill21]

Fifty feet! How high are your ceilings?

uh mine are 7 feet? whats your point?

 

[RayIN]

The weak point in all cord reels are the contacts between the power cord and the contacts on the reel. For instance, assuming you require 20A at the end of the 50' cord, the wire size must be 10G to avoid problems. This tells all: Wire and Cable Size in AWG Calculator for 1 and 3-Phase Load

 

[ning]

I've got one that I picked up from HF about 10 years ago, 40 or 50' idk. 15A with a breaker near the 3-plug end.
It's always needed help retracting; I figured it was just the cheap HF stuff and kept it.
I have it mounted above my shop's garage door such that I can use it inside or grab it from above the door when it's open and pull it out. Doesn't seem to mind if the door is closed on it in that position, either.
Occasionally I consider replacing it with one that actually has a spring...

 

[Richard]

Fifty feet! How high are your ceilings?

lol, the Garage is 9' high. The question isn't how high is the ceiling but rather, how far out into the driveway do you intend to use it?

I'm currently using a 12g 100' that is plugged into the interior wall. I'm trying to get away from 100' (hence the 50) and I'm going to run a power line down the wall to very near the garage door.

Now, I'll be able to pull outside to put battery charger on (while battery is installed on tractor or backhoe), use mitre saw, table saw.... jigsaw....router....

I might be wrong but I'm viewing this as a net less stressful (electronically speaking) situation than doing the same with a 100' cord.