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Voltage drop is going to be a killer if you're trying to pull 15A throught that length. Even the 15A leads are only about 1mm2 cores. You're 15A compressor motor will try and compensate for the low voltage by drawing even more current...and so the problem perpetuates.
It'll struggle to restart once its starting under load with pressure in the tank.
Like Tombie said, reverse the construction plan.
Dads old shed was about 100m from the house. He ran all his tools on lead for years. You used to have to listen out for the compressor as some times it would not start under load and the motor would stall. :o
I made and used a 100 metre lead once for a similar thing without issue - as it was temporary - like yours will be Murray, go and buy a roll (100 metres) of 2.5mm twin and earth TPS - the cable that's used to run to power points from the switchboard in your house. It's not too expensive if you don't go to Bunnings - go to your local Electrical wholesaler.
Get a heavy duty 15 amp plug and socket (they have larger holes for the cable to go through) and fit these to the whole roll of cable. You won't get the whole bit of TPS into the plug and socket, just the wires, then some tape around them and your done. Should be able to run anything through that - just use a standard 15 amp extension lead for the last 20 metres.
A 15 amp compressor may be pushing it, but the 10 amp unit will work fine.
I think the word most people have missed here is the 'temporary' bit - Murray said nothing about needing power there once it's built or that he would be running permanant power, he just needs a temp supply. Running through leads will be fine over this distance, don't get hung up with all the voltage drop calculations - yes, you'll have a few less volts at the other end, but most equipment - including your compressor - won't care - it will just draw a bit more current to do the job.
EDIT - just worked it out and you'll only get around 10 volts drop across the 100 meters of 2.5mm TPS with an 8 amp load (about what your small compressor will draw when running. A couple more for the other 20 meter lead and your done.
Go for it. :)
Just cause I enjoy watching the advice on offer:D
Quote:
Originally Posted by rijidij
I think the best way forward and save some money in the long run is to take Tombie's advice too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Homestar
Why waste money on 120m of leads that may not be fully up to the task, when the inevitable permanent power link is going to be done anyhow!
Another thing is to worry about is the quality of any cobbled together leads which are almost certain to be made in China .. and the recent spate of faulty or sub standard products(especially in the building sector) coming from China would be a cause for concern .. especially electrical.
start digging the trench!