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Smart power

This isn’t your grandfather’s extension cord

By Mike Mavrigian

AC power is obviously an indispensable feature for any shop, to power an array of electric components. For on-demand power (for operation of various electric hand tools), all of us are accustomed to using extension cords and springretractable extension cord units. Loose extension cords plug into wall sockets and live a tough life, being dragged around the shop, getting walked on, getting f lthy from shop f oors, being tangled into a frustrating puzzle when not handled or stored carefully, etc. Spring-retractable power cord units (mounted to a wall or a ceiling) are sometimes f nicky during pull-out, position locking and retraction. Also, it’s common for spring-assist units to sometimes wildly whip the cord during fast The ceiling mount model features a heavy-duty swiveling mount and a steel ceiling mounting base. retraction, with the possibility of the power cord head smacking into the convenient location. The ceiling mount, as operator or a nearby vehicle. We’ve come the term implies, mounts to the shop ceiling. to accept these shortcomings as a natural aspect of a shop environment. OPERATION

Sometimes, technology works in our favor. Now for the really cool features. The ball An example is the new RoboReel power housing pivots in all planes, aligning with cord system. While the features may at f rst the direction of the extended cord. The seem like overkill to some, the benef ts cord’s power head (where you plug in your quickly become appreciated to even the tool) features a center-located button that most stubborn of us. allows you to turn the power on/off and to

The 50-foot 12-gauge power cord is retract the cord. Simply press the button, stored inside a free-pivoting ball housing and the power shuts off (indicated by the that features an electric motor. Two verLED lights turning off). Press the button sions are available, including a portable once more, and the electric motor retracts unit and a ceiling-mount unit. The portable the cord back into the ball housing. version features a built-in carry handle and When the cord retracts to a pre-proresting frame. It can be bench-mounted or grammed point (yes, you can actually wall-mounted with the appropriate optional program this unit), the cord slows down brackets, or carried around the shop to any until it reaches its stopping point. This

slow-down feature eliminates the possibility of cord whipping. The design totally eliminates cord tangling and twisting. It’s like having a personal robot that takes care of cord retraction and storing. No more messy tangles.

By the way, power to the receptacle remains off until you begin to pull the cord out of its housing. When the cord is pulled out to a length of 18 inches, the power activates the receptacle, ready to accept whatever tool or device that you plan to plug in and use (no need to perform a separate step to turn the power head on). LED lights on the receptacle provide indication of available power.

The RoboReel is easily adjusted to slow down at a desired length. Referring to the ceiling mount unit as an example, simply extract the cord to your desired length (free-hanging height), and attach the ball stopper to the cord. This determines where the receptacle head will be positioned relative to the shop f oor when the cable is parked, locating it for easy access.

Each model features a cord retraction button on top of the dome housing, in addition to the control button in the receptacle.

The ceiling mount model of the RoboReel pivots 360-degrees via a sturdy ball pivot.

During delicate work, there’s no concern for the cord to accidentally retract. When you’re done, simply turn off the receptacle power and allow the cord to smoothly retract and disappear back into the housing.

f ghting the unit when pulling the cord out or during cord retraction. Very cool. Each model (portable and ceiling) features a male terminal that must plug into available 120 V power. In addition to the cord retraction button on the receptacle head, the ball housing also features a dome retraction The ceiling mount’s cord is f tted with an button on the top of the ball housing (this adjustable ball-stopper. At our shop, we adjusted ours with the receptacle about 7 feet allows cord retraction control at either the above the f oor — low enough to grab but receptacle end or at the ball itself). high enough to be out of the way. While some may view these features as unnecessarily frivolous, once you start

Next, pull down the receptacle head until using the RoboReel, you quickly begin to it touches the f oor (or your chosen point appreciate the convenience. After playing where you want the cord retraction speed with our test units, I became a fan after to slow down). Press and hold the button only the f rst few minutes. on the receptacle head until the LED light Aside from the convenience (no more blinks twice, and release the button. The arguing with my spring-loaded cord unit), slow-down point is now programmed. one of the most notable features is the total

During retraction the cord retrieval elimination of having to deal with tangled or will now slow down once it reaches this twisted cords. If you want to keep your shop programmed point. The tidy and uncluttered, this is portable model needs the way to go. no ball stopper, as it’s After repeated operadesigned to stop retrieval tion (pulling the cord out once the receptacle head to any location in my shop meets the ball housing. and hitting the retrieve

The ceiling mount model button), the cord quietly features a pro-level sturdy and smoothly crawls away mounting bracket that from me, slows down and attaches to a solid locaEach RoboReel model’s recepparks itself with no unextion in the ceiling. The tacle features three LED lights pected stops, tangles or unit’s pivoting bracket head to indicate power status. It’s whipping. I can now say features a ball socket. This simple: If the lights are on, you have power. If the lights are off, goodbye to my temperaallows the unit to pivot in you know that there’s no power mental spring-loaded cord any direction, so you’re not at the receptacle. unit and do away with my

In order to retract the cord, press the center button once to turn off power, then press it again for automatic retrieval. collection of twisted, dirty and ungainly extension cords that once hung on my shop wall like an assortment of outdated Christmas tree decorations.

THERMAL PROTECTION

To protect against cable overheating, the power cord system (the power input end that plugs into a nearby 120 V power source receptacle) is equipped with a thermal protection feature that turns off power to the unit until the power cord system returns to a safe operational temperature.

Two high/low audible beeps indicate when the power cord system has reached its maximum safe temperature (176 degrees Fahrenheit). The beeps will continue until the power cord system has cooled. The power entry cable is also equipped with a 15A circuit breaker.

These well-built RoboReel units are

The portable unit can be carried to any location indoors or outdoors. The 50-foot cable provides adequate reach. When you’re done, simply hit the button (shut off), then hit the button again for retraction. No more trying to loop unwieldy and twisted cables. made-in-the U.S. and are designed to survive the shop environment. ●

MANUFACTURER INFO

Great Stuff Inc. 15504 Storm Dr. Austin, TX 78734-9901 888-GR8-STUFF (888-478-7883) www.roboreel.com