Experienced Electrician! Here to Answer Any and All Growroom Electrical Questions

[elkamino]

I need to run 2 inline fans at half speed. I have the 2 fans and the two timers but only one fan speed regulator. Any reason I CAN'T:
1. Plug fan speed regulator into the wall
2. Plug a power strip into the regulator
3. Plug in 2 fans on 2 separate timers, running on different schedules, into the strip that's already "dimmed" by the regulator?

Thanks!

 

[619kt619]

I need to run 2 inline fans at half speed. I have the 2 fans and the two timers but only one fan speed regulator. Any reason I CAN'T:
1. Plug fan speed regulator into the wall
2. Plug a power strip into the regulator
3. Plug in 2 fans on 2 separate timers, running on different schedules, into the strip that's already "dimmed" by the regulator?

Thanks!

What is the regulator rated for? and how much power are you pulling with the timers and fans? So long as the timers and fans do not exceed the rating of the regulator you should be fine

 

[elkamino]

What is the regulator rated for? and how much power are you pulling with the timers and fans? So long as the timers and fans do not exceed the rating of the regulator you should be fine

Thanks for the response. FYI everything is UL listed. The regulator is a Speedster, 120 volt/15 amps. The 2 fans are both pretty small, 4 inchers. Both run fine at 50% (unlike my inlin duct extender), I just didn't know if the 2 different loads would tax the regulator in some way, since they'll sometimes both be off, or both be on, or one off and one on. Thanks again.

 

[Feirefiz]

calling all sparkies! anybody out there?

 

[F32]

hello i have a electrical question about wiring an exhaust fan to a thermostat and a cycle timer,
ultimately i am looking to have my one fan, exhaust air during the day hooked to the thermostat, but when lights go out and the temperature drops to the point that the thermostat stops coming on i would like the fan to come on say 5 minutes every half hour. this question has been asked before, and the consensus seems to be adding a transformer, and relay to separate the circuits. My question(s) is/are, could i not just hook up the thermostat, and timer in parallel to the fan?, would a backfeed of power into the thermostat and/or timer really be an issue? alternatively i have considered hooking the thermostat and cycle timer to the fan and just have the thermostat and timer each hooked up to a timer that would have the thermostat circuit live for 12 hours of the day, and the cycle timer the other 12 hours, but then i am dealing with a backfeed of power into whichever timer is off while the other is on, would this be an issue?

i hope that is as clear as it is in my head, i am a mechanic by trade but not an electrician, a/c still eludes me a bit and would like a second opinion

I don't recommend you installing a thermostat & timer in parallel to your fan. For one you would have to make a custom Y cable that plugs into both. Secondly if something malfunctions, which happens you got problems. Just saying..., depending on where you plug the timer and thermostat into you could potentially have 240v where expected 120v should be. Theoretically speaking if timer plugs into 120v L1 and thermostat plugs into 120V L2, if you get a "backfeed" you got 240V. That's literally playing with fire. Also having a transformer is out of the question bud. Don't believe everything you read. Not sure if you're familiar with the product Flip Box but you're are essentially trying to make a ghetto rigged Flip Box. Here is my suggestion for you. Buy another fan and run it on a timer to turn on during lights off. Then use the other fan #2 with the thermostat during lights on. Install backdraft flappers on both fans and you will be fine. Don't try to do things cheaply or in an unorthodox manner when it comes to playing with electricity otherwise you're eventually going to pay the price. my 2c

 

[F32]

I need to run 2 inline fans at half speed. I have the 2 fans and the two timers but only one fan speed regulator. Any reason I CAN'T:
1. Plug fan speed regulator into the wall
2. Plug a power strip into the regulator
3. Plug in 2 fans on 2 separate timers, running on different schedules, into the strip that's already "dimmed" by the regulator?

Thanks!

The regulator essentially reduces overall power to slow your fan speed down. You're timers that are plugged into the regulator power strip may not be able to turn on with such low voltage coming from the strip. That's the only thing I can think of. But should be an easy and safe test to check out. GL and let us know if it worked.

 

[Shroominnm]

So my friend just had an electrician friend over to finish wiring his shed up. Nothi n g to crazy just a hidden type room inside the shed. All insulated and walls up. Wire running outside of wall instead of inside.
My question is, he just sent some pics of the "finished product" and they didn't use conduit.. having wires run along the wall with no conduit is a no-no, no?

I used metal sheilded conduit on the inside of my walls, I cut 0 corners..

Him having no conduit, is it a big enough problem that I need to show up at his house with conduit and a 6 pack and convince him to fix it?
I was baffled when I saw it... he said it gives you more room this way.. hmmmm? Lol
Maybe I'm retarded, figured I'd get some advice from someone who knows much more than me !

 

[619kt619]

So my friend just had an electrician friend over to finish wiring his shed up. Nothi n g to crazy just a hidden type room inside the shed. All insulated and walls up. Wire running outside of wall instead of inside.
My question is, he just sent some pics of the "finished product" and they didn't use conduit.. having wires run along the wall with no conduit is a no-no, no?

I used metal sheilded conduit on the inside of my walls, I cut 0 corners..

Him having no conduit, is it a big enough problem that I need to show up at his house with conduit and a 6 pack and convince him to fix it?
I was baffled when I saw it... he said it gives you more room this way.. hmmmm? Lol
Maybe I'm retarded, figured I'd get some advice from someone who knows much more than me !

Is it to code? No it is not. But if he does not plan on moving out anytime soon and is okay with the way it looks and it works how he wants it to then I see no problem. Did they use Romex (plastic insulated wire)? or metal shielded wire? metal shielded is a little more safe since it has more than just plastic wrapped around the wires, it is out of the way? like running in the corner of the wall and ceiling? There a quite a few factors to consider, usually conduit is only used when running coated individual wires. Best practices say to ensure that nothing can damage the wire and cause problems, but some peoples wallets say get it done with the resources I have given you. I am sure that this message has given you more questions than answers, ask away and I will help you the best I can.

 

[Shroominnm]

Is it to code? No it is not. But if he does not plan on moving out anytime soon and is okay with the way it looks and it works how he wants it to then I see no problem. Did they use Romex (plastic insulated wire)? or metal shielded wire? metal shielded is a little more safe since it has more than just plastic wrapped around the wires, it is out of the way? like running in the corner of the wall and ceiling? There a quite a few factors to consider, usually conduit is only used when running coated individual wires. Best practices say to ensure that nothing can damage the wire and cause problems, but some peoples wallets say get it done with the resources I have given you. I am sure that this message has given you more questions than answers, ask away and I will help you the best I can.

I really appreciate the info man! It's all out of the way and he likes it so I'm not going to try and change his mind. Your on top of stuff, wish I had your electrical knowledge!

Sent from my SM-N920V using Rollitup mobile app

 

[Laerton420]

Hi there fellow RIU'ers... Over and over again I continualy see new threads and posts about electrical work question and thought I would post a couple threads to help you guys the same way all of you who have done such a great job having helped me... So, Do you have a grow room question about how to wire something up, or what are the safest ways of doing things? The most important one I see alot is people running lights and fans off power chords... I have wired my own grow room and will post an example of my work.

Please, if you have any questions and are unsure of what to do or if what you are doing is safe, PLEASE! ask me first if you are even a tad bit unsure. I would hate to hear anyone have an electrical fire because they didn't quite know what they were doing when all they needed to do was to ask a couple of questions... I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

If you want to do some wiring your self, I will either let you know if your project is too complicated if your not handy with electrical, or, IF YOU ASK, I will walk you thru your project step by step.

So please, ASK AWAY!!!

You can post questions here but you may not get your question answerd on the thread, best way to go about it is PM me. You will forsure get a response back.

PS Even if you have basic around the home electrical questions, shoot em my way.

Question: 1 want to run a 600w tent and a 400 watt tent simultaneously. I wish to run a 20- 30 amp circuit to feed all the devices for everything. I have a 60 amp breaker in my homes bix not being used any longer. Can i dedicate this breaker to that and run a line with enough to carry as much as 2000 watts continuous?

 

[MarWan]

Question: 1 want to run a 600w tent and a 400 watt tent simultaneously. I wish to run a 20- 30 amp circuit to feed all the devices for everything. I have a 60 amp breaker in my homes bix not being used any longer. Can i dedicate this breaker to that and run a line with enough to carry as much as 2000 watts continuous?

I run 2 x 22000 btu ACs, 960 watts CMH lights, 400 watts Cree CXB3590 LED, 1000watts PC, a fridge, water heater, house lights, power tools, TV, and many smaller things on a 220v 60amp service.

 

[Jypsy Dog]

I run 2 x 22000 btu ACs, 960 watts CMH lights, 400 watts Cree CXB3590 LED, 1000watts PC, a fridge, water heater, house lights, power tools, TV, and many smaller things on a 220v 60amp service.

60amp SERVICE??? You use screw in fuses also? A water heater is 30amps alone.

 

[Laerton420]

Not sure of the terminology but i have a 200 amp breaker at the top of my box and 2, double 60 amp breakers i no longer need that were used for the ac/ htg.
I want to rededicate one of those breakers to a new circuit to power my stuff. Is that possible? If so. How do i go about it?

 

[MarWan]

I use 2 x 60Liter water heater such as this

it consumes 1200 - 1800 watts depending on size, and when I switch them on , I usually turn off 1 AC because it would be winter time.

I'm sorry, sometimes I keep forgetting that I live in a different country, that's all.

 

[Hoare]

2000 watts / 120 volts = pulls 16.6 amps
2000 watts / 240 volts = pulls 8.3 amps

 

[619kt619]

Not sure of the terminology but i have a 200 amp breaker at the top of my box and 2, double 60 amp breakers i no longer need that were used for the ac/ htg.
I want to rededicate one of those breakers to a new circuit to power my stuff. Is that possible? If so. How do i go about it?

Yes the two pole breaker with 60 amps would be perfect to dedicate to the grow that you are describing, and it would allow for expansion for more consumption if necessary. I would recommend hiring an electrician though

 

[Laerton420]

2000 watts / 120 volts = pulls 16.6 amps
2000 watts / 240 volts = pulls 8.3 amps

Yes the two pole breaker with 60 amps would be perfect to dedicate to the grow that you are describing, and it would allow for expansion for more consumption if necessary. I would recommend hiring an electrician though

Thanks man. My research seems to agree with you. Id love to bring in an electrician. I am intimidated a bit. But im not sure how to approach it. Both tents are up and the room needs to remain stealthy.
I was hoping to run the wire and install two oulets on a circuit somehow . not sure how to do the work at the breaker.

 

[619kt619]

Thanks man. My research seems to agree with you. Id love to bring in an electrician. I am intimidated a bit. But im not sure how to approach it. Both tents are up and the room needs to remain stealthy.
I was hoping to run the wire and install two oulets on a circuit somehow . not sure how to do the work at the breaker.

I understand your concerns regarding confidentiality, If I was certified confidentiality would be of upmost importance to me and potential clients that need my help.

With that 60 Amp breaker I would recommend installing a sub panel right next to your tents, then you can run out two separate 15/20 amp circuits. One for each tent, but like I said it would require the work of a professional

 

[Laerton420]

I understand your concerns regarding confidentiality, If I was certified confidentiality would be of upmost importance to me and potential clients that need my help.

With that 60 Amp breaker I would recommend installing a sub panel right next to your tents, then you can run out two separate 15/20 amp circuits. One for each tent, but like I said it would require the work of a professional

Great advice. I was drawing up plans to do exactly that. I completely agree with you on the professional help. Looks like im shopping for a good electrician who is discreet. My intention was to install a sub panel between the two tents with 2 15- 20 amp breakers in it. One for each. Does that sound viable? I thought perhaps i could do the work in the room and get a pro to tie in everything at the main box.
P.s. you have already been of great help and i wish to express my gratitude at you taking your time to advise me on this.

 

[619kt619]

Great advice. I was drawing up plans to do exactly that. I completely agree with you on the professional help. Looks like im shopping for a good electrician who is discreet. My intention was to install a sub panel between the two tents with 2 15- 20 amp breakers in it. One for each. Does that sound viable? I thought perhaps i could do the work in the room and get a pro to tie in everything at the main box.

yep, you are definitely on the right track and your research is paying off big time. You will save a considerable amount of cash . If you want any help during the build just PM me with pics and stuff and I can help you out