How do I extend the cable on a

missimaxo

I would be grateful of any advice. I have purchased a low voltage (7.5v) pump for a small water feature in my garden. It comes with a transformer type plug to plug into the mains, a 5 m extension cable which has a connector in the middle - please see link here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=380126838831

Like the blonde duffer that I am - i forgot to check the cable would be long enough and lo and behold its not. I can see on google that some pumps have extension cable you can buy, but they seem to be brand specific. Is there an easy/ cheap/ safe way of extending the cable.

I have looked at the MK weatherseal junction boxes but these seem to be overkill for what we need and we would need 2. I have also read on some sites that sue to the low voltage you can just cut and join the cable, but I am not sure how safe this is.

Thanks :beer:

Steve_Groves

I am in no way qualified but given that the transformer plugged into the wall has converted the power to 7.5v DC current then things are considerably safer to tinker with.

Many years ago we have some garden lighting that you used by just attaching a clip that had 2 spikes that pokes through the plastic wire casing and touched the wire core so splicing the wire and putting some extension cabling should work.

To keep water away from the join, use amalgamating tape. This is like the black electrical tape but you stretch it as you wind it round the cable and it gives a waterproof seal.

missimaxo wrote: »

I would be grateful of any advice. I have purchased a low voltage (7.5v) pump for a small water feature in my garden. It comes with a transformer type plug to plug into the mains, a 5 m extension cable which has a connector in the middle - please see link here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=380126838831

Like the blonde duffer that I am - i forgot to check the cable would be long enough and lo and behold its not. I can see on google that some pumps have extension cable you can buy, but they seem to be brand specific. Is there an easy/ cheap/ safe way of extending the cable.

I have looked at the MK weatherseal junction boxes but these seem to be overkill for what we need and we would need 2. I have also read on some sites that sue to the low voltage you can just cut and join the cable, but I am not sure how safe this is.

Thanks :beer:

withabix

Door bell wire and some 'chocolate block' cable conectors or scotch clips (used in 12v car electrics) will be fine for this, wrapped in insulation tape, however do note that you will suffer from loss of pump performance if you extend the cable too far.

The longer the cable, the bigger the cable needs to be, to reduce loss of power.

securityman

What i would do is get some bell wire from Maplin.
19p per m
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=23086
B and q have some waterproof boxes for £1.
Cut the low voltage plug off the pump, Solder or use screw down connecter block to connect the old wire to the new, put in the water proof box.
Bring the new wire into the house near a 240v scoket. Solder the low voltage plug or twist the wires togther and tape with black elec tape to look neat onto the power pack.

Only 1 w/p box needed outside, inside it does not need a w/p box.

Done the something my self with some deck lights.
My kitchen is at the back, so where i drilled through it was in a cupboard that i had a 240v scoket. So nice and neat.

missimaxo

Many thanks! The ebay seller is checking for me with the manufacturer to see about the loss of power. TBH he has been great and rold me not to pay yet. I can see my cheap water feature still working :j:j:j