just had a rather new (3 months old) rod dryer motor fail on me, i do not have an outlet near my rodbuilding bench so i use an extension cord to reach around the corner to an electric outlet. am i creating my own problem by useing an extension cord or could i just have had a bum dryer motor to begin with? i have bought a couple of relacement motors but just wondering if i should get rid of the ext. cord and go directly to an outlet.
thanks
leo

Depends on how long the cord was. 100 feet? 50 feet? 25 feet? Less than that and you won't likely do much damage. And, you can ensure you won't by using a heavier guage cord to begin with.

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I've used extension cords on mine many times and never had a problem. I think you just got a bad motor, but it's also possible you had a current spike. You might want to use a surge suppressor as your extension cord.

Also, was it a new motor or a used one from re-supply company.

I build a couple dryers using 30 RPM motors from a recycler of used motors. The motors ran very hot and sounded as though the were on the verge for failing. They went to the trash bin.

To solve this problem, I purchased several new 18 RPM motors from Custom Tackle Supply and have been very pleased with them.

Stan

Leo,

I mis-read your question!

If the motor was only 3 months old, it might be a defective motor. As for the extension cord length, consider a cord of the next highest gauge wire as Tom said.

I have my drying stuff connected to a surge protector /power backup unit that will wake me up if power goes out at night.

Stan

thanks for the replies guys, ya know the more i look at this motor it sure does look re-built. it's one of those long flat motors ( 4" long ) with wound up copper wire crimped to two leads of the plug. i bought a couple of the small round motors witch i see everyone use and i'm gonna stick with them, until i get an outlet near my bench i'll use a shorter ext. cord. i think the one i was useing is about 25' long, thanks so much for your suggestions.
leo