Topic: Extend Davis Rain Collector Heater power cable

[stefanbagnato]

I tried searching but did not find any posts specifically mentioning how anybody has extended the cable that comes with the heater.  I would need to extend mine about 10 feet.  Has anyone tried this before?  If so, what kind of cabling did you use?

[ValentineWeather]

I've never needed more cable but if you do Davis has this chart.

http://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/weather/manuals/07395-096_IM_07720.pdf

[moehoward4]

In the Instruction Manual for the heater, it tells you what kind of wire to use depending on the extension length.

[ValentineWeather]

If you have a local electrical supplier maybe even fully stocked hardware store something like this .  Aluminum Tape Shield, Direct Burial, Water Resistant, Outdoor, Underground, Sunlight Resistant.

[stefanbagnato]

Awesome, thanks to everyone.  Both of those links help.  I didn't think to check the manual.  Guess I didn't think it would actually have info on extending the cord.  I will probably go with that link you sent me Valentine.  Looks like it should do the job, and isn't that expensive either.  I may go with 75 or 100 feet, just to future-proof it, as well.

[stefanbagnato]

Actually, it only seems to be 22awg and 24awg that they have.  Per Davis, a run of 100 feet needs 20awg

EDIT: This should work, right?     http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cerrowire-100-ft-18-5-Black-Sprinkler-Wire-240-1005C/202206438

[miraculon]

I used the cable for those "Malibu" yard lights for my heater. I think that it was 14AWG.

One word of caution, if you splice the cable for this extension, make sure that you make a waterproof connection. There are "waterproof splice kits" available that you can fill with the provided resin to prevent water entry. This is especially important if you are going to bury this splice.

Greg H.

[ValentineWeather]

If you have a homedepot they have large selection with different gauges. Look for UV resistant outdoor rated.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wire-Outdoor-Electrical-Wire/N-5yc1vZc57b

Here is 14 AWG direct burial. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-100-ft-14-2-Gray-Solid-CU-UF-B-W-G-Cable-13054226/202316582

[stefanbagnato]

Yeah there are a bunch near me.  I will probably go with 18awg.  I've never been good with the number codes for wiring.  14-2 means 14 gauge two conductor, as in two pairs of two wires, right?

[ValentineWeather]

Yes 2 wires. You probably want 2 wires and a ground for outdoors. If I remember that's how Davis had it set up.

[stefanbagnato]

Awesome, thanks.  Yeah, on my old (as in 15 years old) VP1 at my parents house up north, the heater cord has two pairs of two wires.  I used to take the switch apart all the time to run the cord through a hole in my window frame so the window could stay closed in the winter.

[George Richardson]

"14-2 means 14 gauge two conductor (YES), as in two pairs of two wires (NO), right?"

14-2 wire means 1 - 14 gauge black (or hot) wire and 1 - 14 gauge white (or neutral) wire. Those two insulated wires then wrapped as one cable. I haven't seen 14-2 for years and it may have been completely replaced by 14-2 w/gnd. which adds a bare ground wire in the bundle.

FWIW

[stefanbagnato]

Oh, so in that case I am looking for XX-4.  I have seen a lot of XX-5, which I assume is a ground wire.

[C5250]

14-2 wire means 1 - 14 gauge black (or hot) wire and 1 - 14 gauge white (or neutral) wire. Those two insulated wires then wrapped as one cable. I haven't seen 14-2 for years and it may have been completely replaced by 14-2 w/gnd. which adds a bare ground wire in the bundle.

FWIW

The ground is not counted; "14-2" means two 14 AWG conductors and one ground wire, "14-3" would be two hots, a neutral and a ground. I seriously doubt you could find residential wiring cable without a ground anymore.

[stefanbagnato]

Okay.  So in the end, I am looking for 18-4+.  18awg for the 100+ foot run, and 4+ for the two pair of two twisted, and any extra's can just be terminated.  I've done a fair amount of basic wiring before around the house/car; pretty sad I never understood anything past what the gauge meant.

[LFWX]

Okay.  So in the end, I am looking for 18-4+.  18awg for the 100+ foot run, and 4+ for the two pair of two twisted, and any extra's can just be terminated.  I've done a fair amount of basic wiring before around the house/car; pretty sad I never understood anything past what the gauge meant.

From what I'm reading...

If you're not running the cable near other signal wires (see orange highlight), you would only need 2 conductor wire (see blue highlight). This would be 18-2.

For twisted pair wire, you could use 22 gauge up to 120 feet (see red highlight).
Not every cable with 4 conductors has twisted pairs, if you truly need twisted pair be sure that is what you are purchasing.