240 volt to 120 volt adapters?

P

Psychedelicactus

Member
Hello friends.
I have 3 dedicated 240volt circuits I was using for TIG, Compressors and workshop. They are currently available but I don't want to rewire breaker box.

So want to run a 240v extension cord 200feet to grow room. Most of the equipment in grow room is surprisingly 120v connection, so I plan to use a voltage converter to go from 240v to 120v.

Looks like some negative feedback about voltage converters but in detail most are trying to convert 120v circuits to run 240v lights but I'm trying the reverse.

Thoughts on what I plan to do? Any issues you forsee? Voltage converter recommendations?

I'm thinking 2 3000 watt converters like this one so I'm not stressing them too hard, maybe 1500watt draw on each.

Yinleader Power Converter 3000W Step Up/Down https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPZLX5K/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MZ3SGAJJ86WB38FXX7EM?psc=1

I would be running a portable AC 115v(10amps)
2 or 3 "Amazon special" Led lights, various sizes between 3 or 4 feet maybe.
Some exhaust fans and random things, maybe small RO but that's already on its own circuit.

Thanks,
Respectfully,
Cactus
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
Psychedelicactus said:
Hello friends.
I have 3 dedicated 240volt circuits I was using for TIG, Compressors and workshop. They are currently available but I don't want to rewire breaker box.

So want to run a 240v extension cord 200feet to grow room. Most of the equipment in grow room is surprisingly 120v connection, so I plan to use a voltage converter to go from 240v to 120v.

Looks like some negative feedback about voltage converters but in detail most are trying to convert 120v circuits to run 240v lights but I'm trying the reverse.

Thoughts on what I plan to do? Any issues you forsee? Voltage converter recommendations?

I'm thinking 2 3000 watt converters like this one so I'm not stressing them too hard, maybe 1500watt draw on each.

Yinleader Power Converter 3000W Step Up/Down https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPZLX5K/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MZ3SGAJJ86WB38FXX7EM?psc=1

I would be running a portable AC 115v(10amps)
2 or 3 "Amazon special" Led lights, various sizes between 3 or 4 feet maybe.
Some exhaust fans and random things, maybe small RO but that's already on its own circuit.

Thanks,
Respectfully,
Cactus
Click to expand...
If you have 240V you don't need a converter. You just take one leg of the 240V to get your 120V. In North America where we have 120V and 240V appliances the 240V is made up of -120V and +120V. Giving a total potential difference of 240V. Run it into a panel and split it into 120V lines.
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
Hook Daddy said:
Honestly the 240v is more efficient and many good led lights will use 240 or 120. I would get a 240v AC unit as well, would save on the electric bill a bit, and your required converter wattage would be less.
Click to expand...
There is no difference in inefficiency based on voltage
A 110 volt appliance and a 220 volt appliance use the same amount of wattage
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
220/240 is more efficient for most ballast and LED drivers. But the difference is 1-2%.

watt= volts x amps

@240V
1000W= 240x amps
Amps= 4.16a

@120
1000W= 120 x amps
Amps= 8.333amps

in both cases 1000W were used and electrical companies charge by the kilowatt hour not by the amps. The only benefit you get is that lights run slightly more efficient on 240V and that you can run smaller wiring at 240V because of running half the amps.
 
Boatguy

Boatguy

Well-Known Member
MidnightSun72 said:
220/240 is more efficient for most ballast and LED drivers. But the difference is 1-2%.

watt= volts x amps

@240V
1000W= 240x amps
Amps= 4.16a

@120
1000W= 120 x amps
Amps= 8.333amps

in both cases 1000W were used and electrical companies charge by the kilowatt hour not by the amps. The only benefit you get is that lights run slightly more efficient on 240V and that you can run smaller wiring at 240V because of running half the amps.
Click to expand...
Thats why most commercial and military boats run 24vdc or higher. Smaller wire size is cheaper and you can fit more in a smaller space
 
P

Psychedelicactus

Member
Wow I got many replies! Thanks so much.

I am not really concerned about the overall consumption costs of my power, more along the lines of best way to utilize the 240v wall outlets for 120v for the room.

@MidnightSun72 and @PJ Diaz and @Herb & Suds seem to make sense, I just don't know the technical way of splitting the power from the outlet. I can make my own extension cord which could be romex. Pressuring one end would have male 240v connector plugged into the wall and other end would have bare wires which I would have to then wire to separate 120v outlets? I think I would need additional instructions but I like the idea of not needing the voltage converter.
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
Psychedelicactus said:
Wow I got many replies! Thanks so much.

I am not really concerned about the overall consumption costs of my power, more along the lines of best way to utilize the 240v wall outlets for 120v for the room.

@MidnightSun72 and @PJ Diaz and @Herb & Suds seem to make sense, I just don't know the technical way of splitting the power from the outlet. I can make my own extension cord which could be romex. Pressuring one end would have male 240v connector plugged into the wall and other end would have bare wires which I would have to then wire to separate 120v outlets? I think I would need additional instructions but I like the idea of not needing the voltage converter.
Click to expand...
In the typical 220volt single phase configuration

220 volts is achieved by taking a 110 volt source from each side of the breaker panel and a common to both

If you plug a 220 outlet male into a 220 box you have three wires and possibly a ground (not common)

so if the end of that cord were removed from the appliance you would have two hot wires and one neutral
Using a volt meter if you measure either wire to neutral it will read 110v
If you read between both hot wires it will read 220volts
 
Boatguy

Boatguy

Well-Known Member
Psychedelicactus said:
Wow I got many replies! Thanks so much.

I am not really concerned about the overall consumption costs of my power, more along the lines of best way to utilize the 240v wall outlets for 120v for the room.

@MidnightSun72 and @PJ Diaz and @Herb & Suds seem to make sense, I just don't know the technical way of splitting the power from the outlet. I can make my own extension cord which could be romex. Pressuring one end would have male 240v connector plugged into the wall and other end would have bare wires which I would have to then wire to separate 120v outlets? I think I would need additional instructions but I like the idea of not needing the voltage converter.
Click to expand...
You could simply replace the existing outlet box with a double 120, and spit the legs. One to each outlet.
An electrician could quickly replace the existing outlet with a 120 one, and disconnect the red wire in the panel. If you arent comfortable. It is a quick job
 
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