Charger Cable Reel

[StumpNocker]

That's pretty high... an anything that has the potential to run for more than 3 hours is considered a continuous load which should be rated at 80% of capacity. Meaning, if it really runs at 19.5amps while charging it should be on a 25amp breaker with #10 solid wire... maybe it just has a max of 19.5 for a short time. Otherwise that's not very safe and probably isnt UL listed either.

This made me look into it a little further... so on the AC side it draws max of 8 amps, on the DC side, it pushes 13.5-18 amps. That's much more like it.



And to answer the OP, you should be able to make it work a cable reel, theres no good reason it shouldn't that I can think of right now. Even voltage drop shouldnt hinder the charge, that spec sheet say it works down to 100vac.

[ThreeCW]

Originally Posted by StumpNocker

And to answer the OP, you should be able to make it work a cable reel, theres no good reason it shouldn't that I can think of right now.

The generation of heat in the cord and the cord being enclosed in a reel which which limits cooling "may" be a dangerous combination. A cable reel may be great for a 100 W trouble light ... it may be not be so good for a 650 W or often higher powered charger.

[StumpNocker]

Originally Posted by ThreeCW

The generation of heat in the cord and the cord being enclosed in a reel which which limits cooling "may" be a dangerous combination. A cable reel may be great for a 100 W trouble light ... it may be not be so good for a 650 W or often higher powered charger.

650w at 120vac is less than 6 amps and not likely to cause a heat issue. But I do get what you are trying to say, and it's always a good idea to be cautious.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by StumpNocker

650w at 120vac is less than 6 amps and not likely to cause a heat issue. But I do get what you are trying to say, and it's always a good idea to be cautious.

If that charger is only drawing 6amps it's going to take a long time to charge those batteries. The longer cord is going to drop the amps even more so it will take awhile depending on how long a cord you end up with.

With that said, for a 48 volt golf cart, 13 amps has been found to be the right balance between charging speed and long-term battery stress. For a 36 volt battery charger, 21 amps is standard. You'll want to avoid purchasing a charger with low amperage (2-5 amps) as it will take forever to charge your batteries.

[StumpNocker]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

If that charger is only drawing 6amps it's going to take a long time to charge those batteries. The longer cord is going to drop the amps even more so it will take awhile depending on how long a cord you end up with.

With that said, for a 48 volt golf cart, 13 amps has been found to be the right balance between charging speed and long-term battery stress. For a 36 volt battery charger, 21 amps is standard. You'll want to avoid purchasing a charger with low amperage (2-5 amps) as it will take forever to charge your batteries.

Absolutely correct if that was the DC amps. However, the 6 amps is on the AC side of the unit.

We can look at it like this: It takes this charger 6-8 amps of AC current draw to push 13.5-18 of DC current to the batteries.

[rib33024]

Originally Posted by StumpNocker

Absolutely correct if that was the DC amps. However, the 6 amps is on the AC side of the unit.

We can look at it like this: It takes this charger 6-8 amps of AC current draw to push 13.5-18 of DC current to the batteries.

[ThreeCW]

The spec sheet indicates less than 8 amps on the AC side ... too much to use with a cord reel in my opinion considering a long charge cycle.

The higher power Summit 1050 watt charger uses less than 12 amps ... and you really would not want to be using a cord reel for that one either.

The cord reel is OK for a 100 watt trouble light in my opinion.

[Cobra,1]

Could you not rewind cord wheel with heavier wire and a shorter length just long enough to reach charger while still having benefits of reel cord to connect to charger? Pull down power cord a nice convenience opposed to extension cord laying on garage floor.

FYI I use a 10’ 14 guage extension cord to charge mine with no problems.
120 volt battery charger receptacle from plug to charger is 14 gauge wire.

My charger( factory 2012 yellow/ black cheap charger) is cart mounted connected to a male outdoor receptacle for extension cord to plug into.

[cgtech]

Originally Posted by Cobra,1

Could you not rewind cord wheel with heavier wire and a shorter length just long enough to reach charger while still having benefits of reel cord to connect to charger? Pull down power cord a nice convenience opposed to extension cord laying on garage floor.

FYI I use a 10’ 14 guage extension cord to charge mine with no problems.
120 volt battery charger receptacle from plug to charger is 14 gauge wire.

My charger( factory 2012 yellow/ black cheap charger) is cart mounted connected to a male outdoor receptacle for extension cord to plug into.

You could absolutely re-wire the reel with appropriate wire & be fine. (Good cord & not too long) That wasn't in question as far as I know. I thought we were talking about a long reel of 16g cord.

I have a "garden hose reel" of crap orange extension cord (was once over a quarter mile long). It was not of much use besides lights, and maybe a car 12v 10a battery charger. (12v isnt the same as a cart charger, doesnt draw 10a @ 120v ac).

Yes, it was ridiculous amounts of cord, much of that is taken off there. I got a "extension cord deal" at a yard sale from a guy who had over a mile of orange cord. Crazy, right?

[worleytech]

The wire size is not the only consideration when picking a recoil cord reel.
The contacts that rotate inside the reel have to be heavy enough to carry the desired current. Just rewinding the reel with larger wire is a bad idea.
We do have #12 gauge wire reels at work. Huge units but the entire thing is rated for higher current.

Found several 12 gauge reels thru a Google search "12 gauge recoil reels".
Just pick your vendor of choice.

Northern Tool has their cheapest at $80 for 40' length.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...0257_200660257

Cut the ends off & replace with opposite sex to make it mountable on cart, camper, toolbox, work truck, trailer, welder cart or whatever, then pull the female end out to a receptacle with the charger, or whatever, plugged in permanently.