dennyjr Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 Hello, I'm new to this site and new to hot tub ownership. I got a hot tub this weekend and it needs a new power cord. It's a smaller tub that plugs into a regular 110 outlet. My question is can I just buy a 14 gauge 3 wire extension cord and cut the female end off and wire it to my tub or do I need to spend the big money for a hot tub cord? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PreservedSwine Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 If it's 15 amp, that will be Okay. If it's 20 AMP, you'll need a run a new line all the way to the breaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennyjr Posted October 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 I think it's 15 amp. I was told that if it's a 20 all I had to do was change out the plug on the side of the house. It's a free flow tub and their website says their tubs plug into any regular 110 outlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PreservedSwine Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 If it's a 15, you can do that. If it's a 20 Amp spa, you might get away with it, you might not. It dependent on the legnth of the wire from your breaker, to the outlet. All freeflow's are 15, so you shold be just fine. Be aware, that even 15 Amp spa's use every bit of amperage on the line. So if the spa is running, and you turn on an appliance on the same circuit, it may blow the breaker. ~Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennyjr Posted October 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'm at store now and thinking on getting this 12/3 extra heavy duty extension cord. The bigger the gauge the better right? The guy I got the tub from just has a regular 16/3 extension cord wired to it but it's getting warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PreservedSwine Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 NO on the 16. Two factors determine wire size. Amp draw, and length of the run. The shorter the better. The larger the better, but there comes a point where bigger than big enough, doesn't help. A short (6 foot) 14 guage extension is better than a 100Ft 12 guage extension. The 16 guage extension will eventually either overheat and melt, or cause premature failure of spa components. A short 12-3 extension cord would be the best option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennyjr Posted October 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I got the 14/3 but haven't cut it yet so maybe I should take it back and get the 12/3. They are only a 25 foot cords. Thanks for all the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferT Posted September 19, 2018 Report Share Posted September 19, 2018 I would suggest check out sfcable. they have all kinds of power cords like international power cords, IEC320 power cords, NEMA power cords, international power cords, computer power cords, hospital grade power cords, multi-outlet extension power cords, notebook power cords, power cord splitters, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Hot Tub Repair Posted September 23, 2018 Report Share Posted September 23, 2018 Time out here - you need a GFCI cable. It's not a question of amperage and wire gauge, it's a question of climbing into a tub of electrified water. That's what you're paying for when you buy a hot tub power cord. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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