Comments by "David Himmelsbach" (@davidhimmelsbach557) on "Dewatering our Gold Mine with a Harbor Freight Pump. Is this Dangerous ?" video.

  1. I'd recommend #12 MC -- available at Big Box Hardware in long coils. (#12 (or better) in extension cords is mighty expensive.) Your pump is going to draw HEAVY every time it starts up. So, unless it's pretty tiny, #14 extension cord wire will be too small. All pumps sold expect to be plugged into house wiring -- and not LONG runs of #14. ( Under your sink you'll find that every circuit is fed #12... 20 Amps. There's a reason that this is Code. ) MC is that coiled shiny stuff you see. (MC = metallic clad) I would not trust Romex -- it can't handle the conditions -- not those of a mine. (!) I'd bring the MC into a Bell box. (weatherproof -- stay with aluminum -- plastic is just to feeble) [Caulk as necessary with silicone.] And anchor it to a driven stake of Unistrut steel driven into the ground. This provides one more way for leaked current to go to earth -- not you. I'd strap the MC with tie straps -- to tent stakes or some such -- every time it needs it -- say every 5-feet. Leave a coil of MC topside. Then, as things change, you just re-string the MC. I'd land the MC on its own breaker, too. You absolutely want GFI protection. I'd test the gadget EVERY DAY. Yeah, they do crap out. (Their failure rates in service would frighten you.) If you under-size the wire -- expect trouble -- dead pumps -- smoking pumps -- even insulation failure. ( Which is why fuses and circuit breakers were invented.)
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