Retractable power cord on CT's

[BarnyardTim]

Love the long cord, but it would be so much better if it self-retracted.  Every time I move my vac from its home spot to get closer to where I'm working I have to unwind the cord, then when I need to push it back I have to wind the cord back on as I go or I run over it and it gets tangled in the wheels.

 

[Bohdan]

[thumbs up]  The retractable cord is one of the best things on my Dyson.

 

[SoonerFan]

Never thought about a retractable cord before but now that you mention it I could see it coming in handy.

Love the long cord, but it would be so much better if it self-retracted.  Every time I move my vac from its home spot to get closer to where I'm working I have to unwind the cord, then when I need to push it back I have to wind the cord back on as I go or I run over it and it gets tangled in the wheels.

 

[ajmdecorators]

I thought this soon after getting mine, it's a right pain in the arse having that massive chord in the way. If it's plugged in a foot away from you it becomes properly annoying, especially with the hose out and the plug it cable! I only really use mine with sanders so I'm constantly on the move and having to shift the cable out of the way

 

[rljatl]

Wonder if it would be practical to create a Sys 1 with a built in cord reel? 

You would purchase the cord real in a special purpose Sys 1 without a cord.  Then, you would open the Sys 1 lid and wind your existing cord around the cord reel.  This would be a one time installation of the cord to the reel. 

After the one time installation, you would close the lid, clip the Sys 1 to the top of your vac and from then on it would function just like any other quality cord reel. 

 

[Cochese]

Yes, yes, yes. Even though I wouldn't have much use for it, it would come in seriously handy. I do like how long the cord is though, and wouldn't want to see that compromised.

 

[roadking]

The cord on a CT is designed to carry the load of the vac and the tool being used. This pretty much maxes out the load carrying capacity of the cord and it needs to dissipate the heat inherent in passing electrons through a wire. If it is coiled or on a reel there is limited opportunity for heat dissipation.
this link shows the results.http://www.electrical-contractor.ne.../topics/122077/Overheated_Extension_Cord.html

 

[Jonnio]

I agree about the sometimes annoyingly tangly cables. But if it were auto retractable it could potentially be a trip hazard, always taught between machine and outlet in mid air across shop??
How about a choice of additional shorter cables that could safely plug into machine end. They could be dotted around at different power outlets.

 

[Svar]

The cord on a CT is designed to carry the load of the vac and the tool being used. This pretty much maxes out the load carrying capacity of the cord and it needs to dissipate the heat inherent in passing electrons through a wire. If it is coiled or on a reel there is limited opportunity for heat dissipation.
this link shows the results.http://www.electrical-contractor.ne.../topics/122077/Overheated_Extension_Cord.html

I agree, perhaps the cord currently supplied with CT should not be tightly coiled.
It doesn't mean however that you can't select a proper cable for the job. There is plenty of cord reels around rated for 15 and 20 amps.

 

[Svar]

But if it were auto retractable it could potentially be a trip hazard, always taught between machine and outlet in mid air across shop??

Why would it be in mid air? You uncoil as much as you need. The reel has an auto stop.