corvette1985 Posted April 3, 2023 Report Share Posted April 3, 2023 (edited) Plan on Running a 25 foot heavy duty extension cord to the hot tub for 120v. The tub has an extension cord with a built in gfci circuit. Will this be ok to do or should I look at going another route .Thanks Bob Edited April 4, 2023 by corvette1985 Pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch67 Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 hi, the answer depends on the gauge of the extension cord and the load rating of the tub (watts/amps). There are online tables to determine if the extension cord can handle the power requirements of the tub. EDIT: OP added pics afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay G Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 I'm sure it says all over the manual NOT to use an extension cord. But.... IF I were going to use one, it would be an RV type of extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranbiz Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 You need a cable that is rated for 20A. That is usually #12 GA cable. Something like this one would be OK. https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Power-Extension-Resistant-CP10145/dp/B084RYCWY4/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.2d0fabf8-7f31-499c-9b47-f16a276623b1%3Aamzn1.sym.2d0fabf8-7f31-499c-9b47-f16a276623b1&crid=GIX3N3N6SPGD&cv_ct_cx=12+ga+extension+cord+25+ft&keywords=12+ga+extension+cord+25+ft&pd_rd_i=B084RYCWY4&pd_rd_r=3a18ec0c-e725-41e3-abfc-514cc04d69ef&pd_rd_w=FpM3Z&pd_rd_wg=JJugL&pf_rd_p=2d0fabf8-7f31-499c-9b47-f16a276623b1&pf_rd_r=PZZT2NXSRYTWKYGP2BD9&qid=1680635810&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=12+ga+ex%2Caps%2C97&sr=1-1-b6abdd27-62b8-4289-b410-d963a80e3e5e-spons&psc=1&smid=A2GZJM2ACT771B&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQUdTVVNZNVQ0MDI1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTQ5MDY0M1AyT0xUN1NKWFIwQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQ5OTE5M1ZaRDVMR1NGTzlIRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3NlYXJjaF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 I would not buy extension cord. Just buy straight cut wire without plug ends on it. Wire one end into the pack and the other end I would rewire into the GFCI so that the cord becomes the full length wire from pack to GFCI and plug the GFCI into a dedicated wall plug with sufficient rating breaker to hold the spas total AMP rating. I would cut/buy it to the length needed and nothing more. FYI... 14 Gauge for 11-13 Amps. 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps. 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1985 Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 6 hours ago, cranbiz said: You need a cable that is rated for 20A. That is usually #12 GA cable. Something like this one would be OK. https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Power-Extension-Resistant-CP10145/dp/B084RYCWY4/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.2d0fabf8-7f31-499c-9b47-f16a276623b1%3Aamzn1.sym.2d0fabf8-7f31-499c-9b47-f16a276623b1&crid=GIX3N3N6SPGD&cv_ct_cx=12+ga+extension+cord+25+ft&keywords=12+ga+extension+cord+25+ft&pd_rd_i=B084RYCWY4&pd_rd_r=3a18ec0c-e725-41e3-abfc-514cc04d69ef&pd_rd_w=FpM3Z&pd_rd_wg=JJugL&pf_rd_p=2d0fabf8-7f31-499c-9b47-f16a276623b1&pf_rd_r=PZZT2NXSRYTWKYGP2BD9&qid=1680635810&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=12+ga+ex%2Caps%2C97&sr=1-1-b6abdd27-62b8-4289-b410-d963a80e3e5e-spons&psc=1&smid=A2GZJM2ACT771B&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQUdTVVNZNVQ0MDI1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTQ5MDY0M1AyT0xUN1NKWFIwQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQ5OTE5M1ZaRDVMR1NGTzlIRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3NlYXJjaF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Thanks I was wondering the possible risk of running an extension cord. Damage that may occur? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1985 Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 6 hours ago, CanadianSpaTech said: I would not buy extension cord. Just buy straight cut wire without plug ends on it. Wire one end into the pack and the other end I would rewire into the GFCI so that the cord becomes the full length wire from pack to GFCI and plug the GFCI into a dedicated wall plug with sufficient rating breaker to hold the spas total AMP rating. I would cut/buy it to the length needed and nothing more. FYI... 14 Gauge for 11-13 Amps. 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps. 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps. I was running a 220v but set up but when I was removing the breaker I noticed there was a hair line crack on the unit , so I searched around for the exact same breaker but couldn’t find this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 https://www.canadabreakers.ca/products/thql2150gf1 https://www.electricsuppliesonline.com/ge-thql2150gf1-circuit-breaker.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranbiz Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 It's always best to hard wire the unit and what was suggested by my northern friend is valid advice. However, I understand that it's not always possible. If this is going to be a temporary situation, buy an extension cord rated for 20A and go with it. If you are going to use this in a permanent configuration, buy the cable, put the GFCI on it and plug it into the dedicated 20A outlet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchett Posted April 10, 2023 Report Share Posted April 10, 2023 Extension cord plugs are not made to handle a continuous load for extended periods of time like needed to run a hot tub. Hire an electrician and have them run power to where you need/want the tub. I wouldn't risk an extension cord even if you get a heavy-duty one because your insurance company will look for any reason to deny a claim on your house (It's their job to try and save the company money). If they see something like an extension cord on a hottub, your insurance claim would most likely automatically be denied. At a very bare minimum I would advise contacting the insurance company and try to get something in writing that says yes you're fine to run a hot tub on an extension cord or not - don't take their word for it over the phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cusser Posted April 11, 2023 Report Share Posted April 11, 2023 23 hours ago, ratchett said: Extension cord plugs are not made to handle a continuous load for extended periods of time like needed to run a hot tub. Hire an electrician and have them run power to where you need/want the tub. I wouldn't risk an extension cord even if you get a heavy-duty one because your insurance company will look for any reason to deny a claim on your house (It's their job to try and save the company money). If they see something like an extension cord on a hottub, your insurance claim would most likely automatically be denied. At a very bare minimum I would advise contacting the insurance company and try to get something in writing that says yes you're fine to run a hot tub on an extension cord or not - don't take their word for it over the phone. I agree - I wouldn't use an extension cord. Myself have a 15 foot above-ground pool, and know many would run an extension cord out to it, maybe even over a lawn area. I ran a separate 120 VAC circuit (through conduit) with its own GFCI to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1985 Posted April 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2023 On 4/5/2023 at 8:02 AM, CanadianSpaTech said: https://www.canadabreakers.ca/products/thql2150gf1 https://www.electricsuppliesonline.com/ge-thql2150gf1-circuit-breaker.html Thank you very much! would this breaker work with my box? Instead of the pictures above GE breaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranbiz Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 9:24 AM, corvette1985 said: Thank you very much! would this breaker work with my box? Instead of the pictures above GE breaker What's the make and model of your electrical panel. Usually there is a label with that info on it and also compatible breakers. Post that up. Seimans makes several styles of panels as well as Square D, C-H, Murray, etc. Depending on the panel, the breakers from other companies may work. I can tell you that certain Seimans breakers work in the Square D Homeline panel but others will not but work in Square D QO panels. Same with Seimans panels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM6687 Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 Can't tell if that's your main panel or your spa panel pictured. If it's the main, you can get a Spa Panel complete with the GFCI already installed for about $110 off of Amazon, mount it outside and direct wire to the tub. Then just get a normal $15 double pole 50A breaker from your local big box to feed it from your main panel. Alternatively, if that's your spa panel pictured, replace it with a new panel and save yourself $60. I caught the Siemens spa panel on sale last year for $100. No clue why the GFCI alone is a much higher price, but it's been that way for at least a year. https://www.amazon.com/Square-Schneider-Electric-HOME250SPA-Homeline/dp/B000BQT1AS?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1985 Posted August 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2023 On 4/4/2023 at 3:22 PM, CanadianSpaTech said: I would not buy extension cord. Just buy straight cut wire without plug ends on it. Wire one end into the pack and the other end I would rewire into the GFCI so that the cord becomes the full length wire from pack to GFCI and plug the GFCI into a dedicated wall plug with sufficient rating breaker to hold the spas total AMP rating. I would cut/buy it to the length needed and nothing more. FYI... 14 Gauge for 11-13 Amps. 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps. 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps. Hi I’m in need of some advice for my spa pack balboa vs500z . I recently changed my heater and went to hook it back up as a 220v and getting paper to the spa pack , tub checked with a meter. But the top control panel is not illuminating and no activity jets etc to the tub… any advice or trouble shooting is very appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted August 15, 2023 Report Share Posted August 15, 2023 Well, for starters I'd start a new thread. Include pics of the circuit board, wiring diagram, and equipment area. Check for 240v and 120v at the board main power terminals. Check fuses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.