Is it safe to temporarily (2-3 days) run the pump from a heavy duty extension cord?

JaceTheAce · May 11, 2020

I just built the pool (AquaSport 52 18' Round). The pavers on the pool deck are still going in so we filled the pool up to the skimmer then sealed it with heavy guage plastic sheeting to keep the dust out from landscaping + pavers. Nobody got in the pool and it was clean tap water so I thought it should be OK to sit for a week. The water is still crystal clear but is getting slimy on the walls and I know what that means.

We haven't finished pulling the electrical for the pump but I need to get the pump running so I can SLAM it and get ahead of the developing algae. I have a super heavy duty 50ft extension cord. It's 1/2" thick so I think it's 10 or 12 gauge. Would it be safe to temporarily run the pump using this extension cord, not for swimming but just to vacuum and circulate chemicals? The pump is a 1HP Ningbo brand, 2-speed, 115v, 10amp at high speed, 3.2amp at low speed.

ajw22 · May 11, 2020

Well if you treat it as a construction site, plug it into a GFCI outlet, don't run your lawn mower over it, don't let kids play around it, hope it doesn't rain, run the pump at low speed, it should be ok.

Richard320 · May 11, 2020

Some googling tells me that 12 gauge cord 50 feet long can handle 20A. Whether or not your particular situation will be safe is not my call to make, as I'm not onsite and because I won't assume any liability if something goes wrong.

JaceTheAce · May 12, 2020

Thanks for the replies. As an amusing follow-up, I prepped the pad for the pump, finished filling the pool and installing skimmer and return, and attached the pump. I then started a SLAM and brushed the pool. I pulled the cord out to the pump and at 12:15am FINALLY went to plug it in and... the pump uses a 20amp slotted plug but my cord is 15 amp. I can't readily get an adapter so we're just now waiting for the electrician (hopefully tonight) and manually stirring in chlorine. A cloud of profanity is still hanging over my pool

.

Richard320 · May 12, 2020

JaceTheAce said:
Thanks for the replies. As an amusing follow-up, I prepped the pad for the pump, finished filling the pool and installing skimmer and return, and attached the pump. I then started a SLAM and brushed the pool. I pulled the cord out to the pump and at 12:15am FINALLY went to plug it in and... the pump uses a 20amp slotted plug but my cord is 15 amp. I can't readily get an adapter so we're just now waiting for the electrician (hopefully tonight) and manually stirring in chlorine. A cloud of profanity is still hanging over my pool .

Hopefully he's got a twist-lock plug and outlet on his truck, or there will be more clouds.

JaceTheAce · May 12, 2020

Thankfully, Yes. He looked at the pump cord and specs before getting the parts. It's all sitting in my utility room waiting to be finished.

cfherrman · May 12, 2020

That's why they use a twist lock cord.

Electricity wise a 12 guage extension cord will do 10 amps at 50 feet.