Powering a hot tub in our garden

s_glover

naf123 wrote: »

This looks horrendously big!

They are available in smaller sizes:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dri-Box-FL-1859-200-Weatherproof-Black-Small/dp/B006IRGAWQ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=DRI%2BBOX&qid=1554469462&s=diy&sr=1-2&th=1

soolin

Be very very careful about using extension leads of any sort, they are not recommended for use with the lay z spa. This Facebook forum is useful

https://www.facebook.com/groups/31151769781/

Also be aware, as you will see if you read through that forums, of the issue of plugs catching fire.

Carrot007

soolin wrote: »

Be very very careful about using extension leads of any sort, they are not recommended for use with the lay z spa. This Facebook forum is useful

https://www.facebook.com/groups/31151769781/

Also be aware, as you will see if you read through that forums, of the issue of plugs catching fire.

Which will be 100% people just buying extentions and not paying attention to the rating.



As above corners seem to be being cut and a lot of things rated at 10 amps these days (if not lower). These generally get sold with no adequate warning that they are no suitable for high loads other than a "10 amp" rating that no one pays attention to.


It's not just extentions either, I fell foul of this at one point and I usually pay attention! I bought a remote socket for a dryer. Socket blew. Turns out it was low rated. Why would any such device not be 13amp? (Yes I know, cost cutting).


There is nothing unsafe around using extentions as long as you pay attention to what you are doing. OH killed an extention to be a bit melted and chared by using an iron in it. Again it ws not a 13 amp one.


We would all be better off if all extentions/multi socket adaptors were required to be 13 amps. I suspect the influs of 10 amp things is just reusing US designs (and changing the plug), since there is no need for more than 10 amps.


Back to topic, hot tubs are near requiring a dedicated supply. The inflatable ones are kept low so t hey can be plugged in but they are so close to the limit that decent cabling is requuired.

oligopoly

I assumed Laz-y-Spa's insistence on not using an extension whatsoever was on legal accountability grounds. But it sounds like using a dri box, plus a thickly wired, external 13a extension cable should be perfectly fine.

soolin

Carrot007 wrote: »

Which will be 100% people just buying extentions and not paying attention to the rating.



As above corners seem to be being cut and a lot of things rated at 10 amps these days (if not lower). These generally get sold with no adequate warning that they are no suitable for high loads other than a "10 amp" rating that no one pays attention to.


It's not just extentions either, I fell foul of this at one point and I usually pay attention! I bought a remote socket for a dryer. Socket blew. Turns out it was low rated. Why would any such device not be 13amp? (Yes I know, cost cutting).


There is nothing unsafe around using extentions as long as you pay attention to what you are doing. OH killed an extention to be a bit melted and chared by using an iron in it. Again it ws not a 13 amp one.


We would all be better off if all extentions/multi socket adaptors were required to be 13 amps. I suspect the influs of 10 amp things is just reusing US designs (and changing the plug), since there is no need for more than 10 amps.


Back to topic, hot tubs are near requiring a dedicated supply. The inflatable ones are kept low so t hey can be plugged in but they are so close to the limit that decent cabling is requuired.

Actually the issue with burning plugs are on both tubs with an extension cable and without and most people have used fully qualified engineers to add extensions if required .

I gave up using my spa due to other issues, but the amount of mini fires being posted about did concern me. The replacement they sent me is still boxed and unused in my garage and I really need to get round to selling it. It's a shame as once you get over the cost of running one of these, which can be hefty depending on your tariff, it is a really relaxing way of spending time.

Typhoon2000

Some heavy duty extension leads with Commando connectors. The same site also sell adaptors for 3pin plugs and sockets

https://www.industrialextensionleads.co.uk/230-volt-extension-leads-592-c.asp

Ruski

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-proxt-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-10m/4097x

DavidFx

The simplest, safest and probably cheapest solution would be to replace the existing hot tub cable with a longer one.
Of course, cheapest will depend on how long 'fairly generous' is.

coffeehound

I guess the problem with hottubs is the length of time they draw current for, so connections get hotter. E.g a kettle may draw the full 13 amps, but only for a few minutes at a time. Immersion heaters draw the same current, but because they are on for much longer, they must be hard-wired into a dedicated circuit rather than plugged into a socket. It sounds like hottubs should be treated the same as an immersion heater, really.