5 Things to Know About Extension Cords and Inverters for Battery Chargers
- Extension cords work fine with power tool battery chargers, but keep them short and thick.
- An 18-gauge cord longer than 100 feet drops voltage, slowing charging and risking overheating.
- Use 14-gauge or 12-gauge extension cords for runs over 50 feet to maintain proper voltage.
- Inverters are a separate issue from extension cords and require a pure sine wave output.
- A modified sine wave inverter can damage sensitive chargers or cause inefficient charging.