John Pollman
Member
- Messages
- 1,338
- Location
- Rochester Hills, MI
Hi folks,
I recently purchased the Harbor Freight 2hp 5 micron DC unit. It works OK, but I've had trouble getting it to start up at times. I'm pretty sure that it's because I only have 15A outlets in the basement at this time. I think I'm going to have to change that. But for now, I'm going to put in a dedicated 20A circuit just for the DC. Most of the time it will be on my table saw. So I think I'm going to install the outlet over near the TS so I can plug the DC directly into the outlet. But there will be times that I want to use the DC in other locations. I was planning on just putting one outlet on the circuit, but that limits where I can use the DC. Like I said, most of the time it will be in one place over by my TS.
I thought about picking up a short 25' heavy duty 12 ga. extension cord for times that I might want to move the unit. Then I wondered if it would be worth getting (or maybe making) a short 25' 10 ga. cord. The circuit would be 12 gauge so does it make any sense, or would there be any benefit to using a heavier gauge extension cord? I guess I could just install maybe another outlet or two in the circuit, thus avoiding the need for an extension cord at all. I'd really prefer to eliminate any extension cords if possible. Even when I plug this beast 2hp motor into the 15A circuit, it struggles to start, and sometimes won't.
I think I've got some electrical upgrades to make in the shop SOON.
I recently purchased the Harbor Freight 2hp 5 micron DC unit. It works OK, but I've had trouble getting it to start up at times. I'm pretty sure that it's because I only have 15A outlets in the basement at this time. I think I'm going to have to change that. But for now, I'm going to put in a dedicated 20A circuit just for the DC. Most of the time it will be on my table saw. So I think I'm going to install the outlet over near the TS so I can plug the DC directly into the outlet. But there will be times that I want to use the DC in other locations. I was planning on just putting one outlet on the circuit, but that limits where I can use the DC. Like I said, most of the time it will be in one place over by my TS.
I thought about picking up a short 25' heavy duty 12 ga. extension cord for times that I might want to move the unit. Then I wondered if it would be worth getting (or maybe making) a short 25' 10 ga. cord. The circuit would be 12 gauge so does it make any sense, or would there be any benefit to using a heavier gauge extension cord? I guess I could just install maybe another outlet or two in the circuit, thus avoiding the need for an extension cord at all. I'd really prefer to eliminate any extension cords if possible. Even when I plug this beast 2hp motor into the 15A circuit, it struggles to start, and sometimes won't.
I think I've got some electrical upgrades to make in the shop SOON.