jetj wrote:

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I've bought some purpose things that don't work well in the space any ideas?

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 posibily the cheapest device for a power lead is the ladder shaped plastic unit from bunnings.

I don't have any gadgets or gizmo's for my power lead, I just roll it up the old fashioned way, by hand. Works for me anyway.

Thanks guys. I have 2 of those ladder things from Bunnings, one with a lead on it and one I cant find. Hose reel is too big for the van. Thanks.

jetj wrote:

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Thanks for your replies, I usually wind cords around my hand and arm to get it uniform and neat but this one is really greasy.lol

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Janette, the worst thing INMO is to wind it around your arm as we see some do it.  It fills the cord with kinks and is hard to unwind.

The Second best way is to do as a few here suggested...hold one end about 400mm from end then loop the cord over your hand givind a half 'twist' each loop to keep the kinks out.

The BEST way is to roll up as I said above with this difference...as you loop it over your hand give the 'twist' in the opposite directon each time.  The cord will still have no kinks but...when you want to use it, hold one end and firmly throw the roll in the direction you want to use it (toward the power pole) and, like magic, the whole cord will run out straight without tangles.

Don't believe me?  Go outside now and try it.  You will be surprised.

Feel free to send me a lotto ticket as a thank-you gift......

Cheers Neil

-- Edited by Delta18 on Thursday 13th of December 2012 01:39:58 PM

I've used the ladder things in the past, also have a power cord reel, but now only wind up by hand.

As someone has already said, if using a cord it need to be fully unwound to prevent overheating/catching fire etc.

A good tip is when you have wound your cord up by hand, plug the two ends into each other to help keep it together etc.

This is also good for the cords in your shed/workshop to stop them falling all over the place etc.

Delta18 wrote:

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jetj wrote:

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Thanks for your replies, I usually wind cords around my hand and arm to get it uniform and neat but this one is really greasy.lol

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Janette, the worst thing INMO is to wind it around your arm as we see some do it.  It fills the cord with kinks and is hard to unwind.

The Second best way is to do as a few here suggested...hold one end about 400mm from end then loop the cord over your hand givind a half 'twist' each loop to keep the kinks out.

The BEST way is to roll up as I said above with this difference...as you loop it over your hand give the 'twist' in the opposite directon each time.  The cord will still have no kinks but...when you want to use it, hold one end and firmly throw the roll in the direction you want to use it (toward the power pole) and, like magic, the whole cord will run out straight without tangles.

Don't believe me?  Go outside now and try it.  You will be surprised.

Feel free to send me a lotto ticket as a thank-you gift......

Cheers Neil

 

-- Edited by Delta18 on Thursday 13th of December 2012 01:39:58 PM

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 Good advice Neil,

Was going to attempt to give similar advice but couldn't work out how to describe the process, your second best way works for hoses, nothing worse than having to untangle hoses and cords when setting up camp, makes you look like a bit of a mug, assuming there is anyone around to witness the procedure.

Call me stupid, but I can't do it, even checked utube for a demo, seems to be my arm or nothing.  Thanks heaps.

Even Rope has to be "Hand Coiled "   (not coiled over the elbow)  as doing it over the elbow creates the same  kinks and twists  and makes the Line unmanageable.

Coiling rope over the elbow  was a sure sign of a novice when I was at sea.  You would have your a@@#se kicked for doing it that way.

When a rope had those kinks and twists  in it, they were  called Frenchmen or Frenchies.  

Never leave a line with  "Frenchmen"   lurking in it.

I loop it over my hand and put it into a shopping bag..it this case a Rivers reusable bag, which seems to be just the right size for mine. Then I tie the handles together to keep it from falling out again. More than one lead? Use another simliar bag, different colour, so you know which lead is which. (I have a white normal lead and an orange caravan lead.)

I also always wear sturdy but soft gloves when looping leads or hoses, or any of those jobs. Saves my delicate hands from turning into rough man hands.

Unless they are caressing you!!!!!!!!!! (OOOPPPPPSSS SORRY OFF TOPIC!!!!!! just couldn't help it!)

jetj wrote:

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Call me stupid, but I can't do it, even checked utube for a demo, seems to be my arm or nothing.  Thanks heaps.

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 This is not an 'extension cable' as we use but the principle is the same....see here. and another one here

-- Edited by Delta18 on Saturday 15th of December 2012 11:11:34 AM

Gee that second video was clear to understand..maybe because I'm left handed too.  He made it look so easy.

 

jetj wrote:

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Thanks Delta,

That helps so much, much better than the ones I found. I need to see pictures rather than explanation to understand I'm afraid. Like I said call me stupid.lol Going to practice now, this is a long lead which makes it more difficult.

Thank you everyone for your help.

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 You're not stupid Janette. Many people, me included, have to be shown how to do something to comprehend it. In fact there is a word for it...and no it's not stupid.  I just can't remember the word.

Find a house being built when an electrician is there, or look in the rubbish skip.  Ask or look for one of th electric cable reels,  plastic, which they throw away.  The smaller ones, or even the TV coax ones wrk a treat, take up no room and weigh sod all!