Extension cord question

[Brammofan]

Help me, Protomech. You're my only hope. 

Okay, my dad always taught me that you can't solve all your electric problems by just getting a longer extension cord.

Problem: I want to charge my bike in a certain garage that is not my own.  My current charging cord can reach the outlet, no problem.
Real problem: I'm too lazy to deal with the whole, unlock seat, uncoil cord, plug in, lock seat, then... unlock seat, unplug, coil, lock seat rigamarole. 
Wish: I want the same set-up I have at home - a 6' cord that stays plugged into the wall, that I connect to the plug peeking out from my seat (about 3" of the Brammo power cord).

So here's the real real question: I just found a 15' extension cord with 16 gauge wire.  Can I use this?  Is it beefy enough to handle the 900 watts or whatever that is drawn by the charger? 

My plan is to leave the cord plugged in to the wall in this hypothetical garage - soon, it will be covered in the grime that cakes almost every surface of this garage and will be less likely to draw unnecessary attention. "This is not the extension cord you're looking for."

[protomech]

Not an electrician, but 16 gauge should be fine for the 7-8 amps the Enertia's charger pulls.

http://electrical.about.com/od/wiringcircuitry/a/electwiresizes.htm

[Brammofan]

Okay, but in the abundance of caution, here is what the Brammo Enertia Owners Manual says:

Plug into a standard wall outlet and the A/C Power Entry
Connector to charge your Enertia. Cord is rated at 16 amps.
Replace only with an IEC C19 to NEMA 5-20P Power Cord.
Warning: The A/C Power Cord provided with your Enertia is
designed to handle the high power requirements
while charging. Modifying your Enertia to work with
a US standard IEC C13 plug and IEC C14 receptacle
could result in a fire and is not recommended as they
are only rated for 10 amps.

[Phantom]

So here's the real real question: I just found a 15' extension cord with 16 gauge wire.  Can I use this?

Yes, it does work. This is the setup I use with 16 gauge wired extension cord and I have not had any problems. I could not take the unlocking, re-locking of the seat every day. I roll into the garage, switch into Charge Mode, then connect up to the extension cord which is always connected to an outlet. It takes less than 30 seconds.

I like to have a bit of the A/C power cord plug hanging outside the seat to underscore the fact that it is an electrically-powered motorcycle.

**disclaimer: Please note the quote from the Enertia Owner's manual above for a safer method.

[Brammofan]

Okay - it's a done deal.  Left it there last night and when I got here this morning, it was still there.  Not only do I get the benefit of not having to unlock the seat, etc., I am able to pull the bike into a better position in the parking space. 

[FreepZ]

Perhaps Zero's socket location was to make it easier to plug in without having to unlock anything.



At least the J1772 on the Empulse will be accessible without having to remove the seat.

How about a picture to show us what the cable looks like peeking out of your seat?

[Brammofan]

The seat, cord (peeking out), and extension cord:
[smg id=333 width=400]
The blurry photo (sorry... it's dark down there and the camera can't focus very well) of the cord snaking from that outlet on the right, over the outlet on the left (it's dead), underneath that box, on onward to the bike:
[smg id=334 width=400]
The ability to charge at (or near) my workplace is not necessary, given my 25 mile round trip, but it certainly is sweet getting on the bike at the end of the day with a full "tank". 
[smg id=336 width=400]

[860]

The ability to charge at (or near) my workplace is not necessary, given my 25 mile round trip, but it certainly is sweet getting on the bike at the end of the day with a full "tank". 

You could even just charge at work, and only charge at home on the weekends...

[Brammofan]

You could even just charge at work, and only charge at home on the weekends...

Hmmm. I gotta say that I've never thought of doing this. 
Reminds me of Dial-A-Song "Free when you call from work."

I don't think I'd ever do this, however, for a couple reasons:
1. Too spoiled, leaving the garage in the morning on 100%.
2. Too paranoid about arriving at work nearly "empty" and for some reason, having to turn around and head home (e.g. calls from my kids' school "she's sick" or the building is in lockdown due to a threat of some sort)
3. Seems like taking unfair advantage of a privilege.

Anyway - I'm happy to not have to deal with the unlocking, uncoiling etc.