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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: ticobrahe on June 14, 2016, 11:31:29 PM

Title: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: ticobrahe on June 14, 2016, 11:31:29 PM: I am looking to acquire a back-up power cable to keep at the office. Anybody have any recs on where to look/buy? Typically I grab peripherals like this from Amazon but I'm hoping to hear feedback from y'all about your experience(s). Any issues with overheating, popping fuses, etc with low-quality cable? Is there a length I shouldn't exceed? Thanks for any and all info!
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: Erasmo on June 15, 2016, 12:30:51 AM: If you work at an office drop by your IT department, they probably have a box filled with them. If it's good enough for a power hungry server that cost thousands of euros it's good enough for a bike charger.
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: Doug S on June 15, 2016, 12:45:25 AM: Quote from: Erasmo on June 15, 2016, 12:30:51 AM
If it's good enough for a power hungry server that cost thousands of euros it's good enough for a bike charger.

Uh....not necessarily. The great majority of power supply cables are only rated for 10A; we need a 15A cable since our chargers can draw in excess of 12A.

Monoprice (www.monoprice.com (http://www.monoprice.com)). They have lengths from 1 foot to 25 feet, 14AWG which is rated for 15A, and their prices can't be beat. I got the 25-footer and now I don't have to use my extension cord at home.
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: MrDude_1 on June 15, 2016, 12:59:49 AM: Quote from: Doug S on June 15, 2016, 12:45:25 AM
Quote from: Erasmo on June 15, 2016, 12:30:51 AM
If it's good enough for a power hungry server that cost thousands of euros it's good enough for a bike charger.

Uh....not necessarily. The great majority of power supply cables are only rated for 10A; we need a 15A cable since our chargers can draw in excess of 12A.

true, but he said SERVER... all of the big gauge cables you see are generally made for servers. They dont run on the puny 18ga cables either.
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: tico on June 15, 2016, 01:26:28 AM: Ditto.

(As the local IT guy, can confirm that I usually have piles of these.)

However, many/most of the C13 cables I see are much thinner than 14AWG, and so wouldn't be rated for 15A service. I have tons of server cables with the very thin 18awg wires. Even my 14AWG cables get fairly hot just using the on-board charger at 11Amps in this 35C / 96F summer ..

Search on Amazon for either "14awg C13" or "C13 15A" and you should get plenty of cheap results
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: ticobrahe on June 15, 2016, 04:12:34 AM: Think I'll give this one a try:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022801&p_id=5295&seq=1&format=2 (http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022801&p_id=5295&seq=1&format=2)

25ft 14AWG. Will help to have the extra length so I can have it run out the door. Thanks for all the help y'all!
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: AsherEscher on August 21, 2016, 09:00:23 PM: I was thinking about stashing an adaptor like this under the seat.

Hosa PWA-421 Power Adaptor IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJM27A (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJM27A)
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: AsherEscher on August 25, 2016, 09:43:10 AM: Quote from: AsherEscher on August 21, 2016, 09:00:23 PM
Hosa PWA-421 Power Adaptor IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJM27A (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJM27A)
FYI - on an FXS, this kinda sticks out and pokes the fender a little. Still a good backup plan.
Title: Re: IEC C13 cable recommendations?
Post by: togo on August 30, 2016, 08:33:58 AM: Yeah if you get a computer cord make sure you get one of the big heavy duty ones that was made for one of those old-school power-hungry servers.