Coleman Cable 100 ft. Outdoor 12 gauge extension cord - carries power-a-plenty
Written: Jun 21 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Heavy duty, rated up to 15 amps, easy to see
Cons: Heavy and thick
The Bottom Line: Heavy duty, durable extension cord that will meet almost any consumer electrical need
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| jwhitakr's Full Review: Coleman Cable 100 ft. 12 gauge Outdoor Extension C... |
Background
I have a few outdoor power tools that I use regularly and I knew that a good, solid extension cord would be needed for these tools. I was unable to find many reviews on extension cords, especially for outdoor power tools, but I did talk with a salesperson at Home Depot who recommended Coleman Cable. I found this particular model on Amazon.com for about ½ of the price at Home Depot, so I ordered it online for $28 plus S&H.
I have used this extension cord for approximately 3 months now. It has been used outdoors with my Rigid Shop-Vac, my Black and Decker hedge trimmer and my Toro Leaf Vac / Blower. The leaf blower had the highest amp rating requirements – 12 amps. My yard is big enough that I knew I would need at least 100 ft. of extension cord, so I followed the recommendations from the manufacturer, and the info I found online, and purchased a 12 gauge cord.
Proper Use
Let me first make clear that you should always follow the cord length and minimum gauge recommendations from the manufacturer. If you are going to use a 15 amp tool with a 100 ft. cord, you should use a 12 gauge power cord. If you try to use a 14 or 16 gauge cord with a 15 amp tool, and the cord is 100 ft. long, you are going to run into a heap of trouble. It is very hazardous to use the wrong type of cord with an electrical tool – so always check the manufacturer recommendations before you use a new electrical tool.
Product Highlights and Advantages
This cord features a 3-way plug and heavy duty vinyl insulation. The vinyl is supposed to resist moisture, abrasion and exposure to sunlight. I have only used it for 3 months, but it has remained in tip-top shape thus far, with no weak spots or other signs of wear and tear. It is bright orange and easy to see. It is flexible enough to wrap the entire cord up in a small loop, if you so desire (by small loop I mean a loop of 1 ft. diameter or less). It is rated up to 15 amps @ 125v, so will work with just about any consumer rated electrical tool (or a long set of Christmas lights come Christmas time!)
Disadvantages
The ability to carry the extra electrical power comes at a price. This cord is heavy and thick. If you are accustomed to using 14 or 16 gauge extension cords, as I was prior to ordering this one, you will be surprised at how heavy and thick this one is. I have not measured exactly how much thicker this is compared to a 14 gauge cord, but I would estimate it is ¼ - ½ of an inch thicker. This will cause problems if you have outdoor tools, like a hedge trimmer, that have small openings used for keeping the plug from coming out. The hedge trimmer I have has an opening that is big enough only for a 14 or 16 gauge cord, so consequently I have to be very careful as I am walking around my yard so that the plug does not get pulled out while I am using the tool. This is very annoying to me and something that you should watch out for when you are considering purchasing outdoor electrical tools.
The extra weight is definitely noticeable as you are moving around the lawn with a hedge trimmer, leaf vac / blower, or other yard tool. Dragging an extension cord from one spot to another is a chore, and the extra weight makes it seem harder than it should be. I guess the only plus here is that I’m getting a good workout as I drag this thing around..?? :-)
The only other drawback I see is that it does not include any LED light or other indicator to show that power is being transmitted. I do not find this to be annoying or problematic, but other users might like this sort of feature.
Conclusion
Overall, this product has been adequate. It has met my needs and should meet the needs for most consumer electrical applications. It has been durable and not started to deteriorate. The extra weight and thickness does make it cumbersome to use, but is tolerable.
Recommended:
Yes
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jwhitakr
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Member: Justin Whitaker
Location: Lenexa, KS, USA
Reviews written: 50
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