Cord Winder (Hack) 2.0 (Part 2), a Genius amongst us!

[@gnic76]

I roll mine opposite of the first one you did, leave around 3 feet out, plug it in to where I want then pull the end to where I need it, without having the roll in my way. Either way works, if using a heavy electrical load on it and it gets hot, your gauge of cord isn't heavy enough.

[@Jell0zz]

I remember warnings against using coiled up extension leads, so I asked chat gpt. Apparently there is a slight risk of melting cables if the heat cant dissipate, and some magnetic field potential that's generally harmless.

[@wetlifesports]

@@Jell0zz yes, I've heard this, we need to be cautious of this. I don't do heavy loads and never unattended. But I will be keeping this in mind.

[@JHe-f9t]

You're basically making an ungrounded coil, and the risk is much greater than 'slight'. If you're running a 15a load on a fully coiled 100ft cord or a box of romex, you will have a fire. Ask me how I know... Even if you're running a smaller load, you're going to be losing a lot of energy due to the magnetic field fighting against itself.

[@wetlifesports]

@JHe-f9t Good to know, i would have never given this point a second thought. I'll be careful. Now I'm curious, like a cat...

[@bobs12andahalf2]

Seen quite a few coiled extension cables melt at loads well below their nominal rating. Heat builds up with nowhere to go.

[@wetlifesports]

@bobs12andahalf2 I'm definitely leaning something new and important. Thx

[@tmntman3086]

This is how I have used mine for years. As for winding it up, I find it is useful to grab one of the stationary cross bars of the frame and feed the cord between my fingers. Then by sliding that hand slowly from side to side, I can direct the cord onto the reel to get a much neater end result.

[@wetlifesports]

@@tmntman3086 thanks

[@ltg72260]

I won't use one like this if I am going to use anything that has more than a minimal current draw. It will heat up fairly quickly and I have seen cords melted down that had to be cut off the reel. Wind up like this is great for storage but not for usage. I am an industrial electrician and have been in this trade for over 50 years.

[@wetlifesports]

@@ltg72260 thank you

[@LevittownDirtBag]

Unless you want to start a fire don't use an extension cord while it's coiled on there. I've seen it happen many times, you may get lucky the first hundred times but is it worth the risk? Throw the cord winders away and learn to wrap cords properly, it's actually faster than using one of these things.

[@wetlifesports]

@@LevittownDirtBag thx

[@kraftzion]

Total bs. You are not goimg to start a fire by using an extension cord that is wrapped on a reel.

[@johnbrinton5773]

Both ideas are equally great for different reasons / applications.

[@wetlifesports]

@@johnbrinton5773 thx!

[@GibsonCRG]

My first reaction was "eureka!" but then I started thinking about placing it halfway, whether it would be fiddly to wind up, etc. In the end after watching the demo, I think I came down on the side of hack #1 which I'm going to do today! 🙂 But it's cool to have both methods in your pocket, hack #2 is about as simple as it comes to try out.

[@wetlifesports]

I think your dead on. The "cut the hole" hack works best. I'm doing my new reel that way too.

[@justaguy-69]

thanks for the credit guy, hope it helps ya !😄

[@wetlifesports]

@@justaguy-69 yes, thanks again!

[@sheltonharlow]

I've been doing this for years.

[@madmaxh3]

This is the way I've been doing for years, also !

[@fauxque5057]

I think I like your hole method better. I've been starting the 1st wrap with the plug end sticking out as I wind it up but it does get in the way while winding. If I drill the hole that would solve that issue. Thanks for the tip

[@wetlifesports]

@@fauxque5057 yes, me too, I'm cutting my new one too.

[@kraftzion]

Mark the center with a piece of tape or marker.

[@wetlifesports]

Ok folks I think this might be the official way but watch my other video and see what you think of the first Hack I discovered.

[@tomn2765]

the problem then being that the spool has to sit in the middle of the outlet and the device. I'd rather have the spool next to the outlet incase it has to run outdoors

[@wetlifesports]

@@tomn2765 yes, the hack of cutting the hole works best.

[@voiceboxglock]

Technically, the correct way to use this spool is to completely unspool the cord before use. This is only made for storing the extension cord. Anyone that knows anything about electricity knows you are never suppose to use an extension cord while it’s coiled or rolled up due to heat build up. If used while spooled, the cord can melt down and cause a fire. Yes, I know it’s a headache to completely unspool the whole thing to use it, but it is the correct way.

[@wetlifesports]

@@voiceboxglock yes, I've learned this just from posting this video. I'm glad I did as I did not know how dangerous using it spooled up could be. Thx

[@ryanburbridge]

Keep em out of the sun.

[@wetlifesports]

@@ryanburbridge ok, because? Heat equals resistant?

[@michaelstevens3145]

@@wetlifesports UV will damage the insulating jacket of the cord over time. It's okay to use the cord in the sun, just don't leave it outside for days on end.

[@wetlifesports]

@michaelstevens3145 thx

[@ryanburbridge]

@@wetlifesports the plastic roller we’ll get destroyed by the sun. It will become brittle and fall apart. The cord will hold up better then the roller