ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: evdjerome on December 12, 2013, 07:40:03 PM
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I need an extension cord of around 70' to reach my parking spot from my house. The 2012 DS owners manual says not to use a cord longer than 25'. Why is that? If I got a heavy enough gauge extension cord should I be able to charge at 70'?
Alternatively if I had an outlet installed at my parking spot isn't that the same issue? I mean the outlet would have an electric cable running back to my house, wouldn't it? How does that differ from just running a heavy gauge extension cord the same distance?
Jerome
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There's no fundamental difference, other than the temporary nature of the extension cord versus the permanent installation of the outlet. There's no magic about 25', but the charger will pull 8 amps and you need to make sure you have a sufficiently heavy-gauge cable to prevent overheating - for example, you don't want to plug into 50' of lamp cord.
I've spent a fair bit of time charging on a 100' 12 gauge cable - very little voltage drop over the entire run. Probably overkill for the job, but it worked well for me.
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I have a "lightweight" 25' 18 gauge orange extension cord stuffed into the hole on my 2012 S for emergency use. I needed such a light gauge cord to be able to stuff it into the tube - and even then it is a struggle. I tried using it to charge my bike and it lost 4 volts between the wall outlet and the charger (from 122v to 118v). It seemed to charge my bike just fine and I didn't notice any undue heat in the cord, other than a slight warming at the ends of the cord. But again, I just keep it around if I get stuck somewhere and need a long cord to get to a wall plug.
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Thanks for the responses Protomech and Richard.
Protomech, how long did you charge using that 100' cable? Did you ever charge with it in hot temperatures?
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I charged with it as my primary charging cable for several months, in a garage on the lower floor of a trilevel (so decently well insulated).
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The manual says the same thing for my Volt, only, it says NO extension cord, and, the plug is only a few inches long.
I have used a 100' 12 gauge cord. While the Zero uses less draw, you do need to be careful. Make sure that you
have whatever length of cord you choose completely uncoiled. You don't want it to build up too much heat.
I am sure that it has more to do with the lawyers than functionality.
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If the cord is making heat then you are wasting power and it will also extend the charge time.
The longer the cord is the lower the wire gauge that you need to use in order to deliver the power without loss.
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OK. Thanks everyone. I got a 100' 12 gauge from Lowe's today at lunchtime. I'll try it out tomorrow when the temps get above freezing. I'll be sure to not let the cord coil.