16-gauge extension cord ok for Elinchrom BXRi 500?

<p>Just checking -- it seems like I should be able to get away with using a 16-gauge 25' extension cord with an Elinchrom 500 BXRi, but I'm hoping someone here with knowledge of both this head and an understanding of electricity can verify or not. Usually I use 12-gauge 25' cords, but I'm shooting with four lights tomorrow and only have three 12-gauge cords and one 16-gauge. I want to make sure I'm not going to do any damage by doing that.<br>

Elinchrom gives no information about amp output of the strobe, and I can't find any strong warnings against using the 16-gauge, which seems like it's rated the same as normal household outlets.<br>

So...am I safe using it or no?<br>

Hopefully someone can answer in the next 8 hours or so, as the shoot is tomorrow morning.<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>The power consumption for the BRX 500 is 180W (during charge 380W). I'd expect that the BXRi 500 is about the same. You would be looking at about a 4 amp maximum draw for charging and a 16 gauge cord should be able to handle that as long as it is the last cord to the strobe if the cords are daisy chained.<br>

The wiring guides on line indicate a max amp draw of 9 amps at 120 volts for 16 gauge with a 50 foot or less run.</p>

<p>A 16 gauge 25-foot cord is good for at least 13 amps, maybe 15 according to which chart you look at. In my basement I have a 5-amp freezer and 7-amp refrigerator sharing a 25-foot 16-gauge for the past 10 years with no problems whatsoever. I routinely run a 10-plus amp circular saw on the same sort of cord, or a Lowel Tota Light with a 1000 watt bulb. If you Elinchrom only draws 380 watts max, you don't need anything special -- even an 18 gauge household extension cord would be fine.<br /><br />A 12 gauge extension cord is great, but overkill for what you're doing. To put it in perspective, when I run my generator for a power outage, I use a 100-foot 12 gauge to run my furnace. If it can handle a furnace at 100 feet, using it for 380 watts at 25 feet is like running a go-cart with the engine from a pickup truck. :)</p>

<p>Craig Sherman.... Thanks for your response... I happend by this looking for the same question.... if you know what what you are talking about, Thank you :)<br>

If not, I will find you when my apt building burns down, to find a place to stay :)</p>