Extension cord question

I need a good extension cord, my wife bought me an electric log splitter so I want an outdoor, heavy duty cord. I was looking at 12/3 gauge cords and can get by with a 50 ft cord, but a 100 ft one would give me more options for a splitting area and make it a bit easier to move the splits to the stack.

Is there any reason other than saving a few dollars I should go with a 50 ft over a 100 ft? Is the 12/3 outdoor wire sufficient for a 15 amp motor, or do I need to get a 10/3?

 

i'd imagine 12-3 is no smaller than the house wiring to the outlet you intend to use?... if so, i'd suspect it's fine, since your breaker is probably designed for 15A, ..or maybe it's a 20A.. i'd just go w/ the same guage or better (i.e smaller # = thicker conductors) than the house wiring to the outlet, and make sure the tool is not rated for more current than the house circuit/outlet is...

 

I recently bought a 100' 10/3 heavy duty cord , totally awesome

 

12/3 50ft will work but maske sure your on a 20a outlet......my log splitter blows 15a breaker w/out and extention cord.

 

Check out Harbor Freight. I just picked up a 50' 10/3 outdoor cord pretty cheap (much, much cheaper than Lowes or Home Depot). I bought it at the new location in Natick.

There is some benefit to using a thicker wire for long distances but I bought 10/3 because it can be used for anything (a thick wire can always power a small accessory but you can't safely run a high draw accessory using wire that's too thin).