Wall outlets keep melting

BrassNwood

BrassNwood

Well-Known Member
Beauknowsdiddly said:
That's a great idea. Yes the ballasts are plugged into the same timer which is plugged directly into one single outlet. No Extension chord at all. (it might be a good idea to use one) So 1200 watts on one oulet. I'll go ahead and get another timer and split them up with a 5 minute interval. That just might do the trick! Thanks for the advice!
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First off kill the power and remove the plug from the wall. If the wires are pushed into holes in the back of the device (plug) that is the problem. There is only a tiny metal blade making that contact. Buy a new 20 amp rated plug and side wire it if isn't already. If you find it back wired odds are all the plugs in the house were done the same way and you really should trace out the circuit you're using and side wire all the plugs between the breaker and your high load.

Larger slot side gets the white wire and silver screws. Black wire on the brass color screws and small slot side. Wind wires on the screw clockwise so as it is tightened more wire is pulled under the screw and not pushed out.

Old houses had 20-amp wall outlets everywhere, but new construction is only 15-amp wire in all the rooms except bath and kitchen. 80% max load if everything is perfect and it rarely is.
 
BrassNwood

BrassNwood

Well-Known Member
sandman83 said:
Electrical creeps me out enough that I cut power to the house when wiring mine ;) better safe than sorry when it comes to some things. Those giant garage door springs are another one I just don't f with.
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I had to change a set of them a couple of months ago. I used several rachet straps to secure everything before I got close to the one still intact spring. Deadly damn things done wrong. At least the modern ones are captive and can't fly across the garage like one of this set had done. Left a nice hole in the drywall.
 
sandman83

sandman83

Well-Known Member
BrassNwood said:
I had to change a set of them a couple of months ago. I used several rachet straps to secure everything before I got close to the one still intact spring. Deadly damn things done wrong. At least the modern ones are captive and can't fly across the garage like one of this set had done. Left a nice hole in the drywall.
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they just look so innocent and unassuming until all that energy releases at once. TBH I had no idea a garage door was that heavy until the springs were broken and I had to lift it manually.

Same as electrical, it looks innocent and easy to just plug all these things into the wall, not realizing the wires inside are heating up to dangerous levels.
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
The best bet would probably be to flip flop the ballasts, and seperate the 2 600s in their own space/tent. That way your only drawing half the amount at anytime, and not burning up all the timers/outlets/your house/etc.. Still able to utilize both lights though, with either one running 24/7 instead of both of them for 12 hrs..
 
secretmicrogrow420

secretmicrogrow420

Well-Known Member
the name of this thread is "wall outlets keep melting" LMFAO bra switch too led lighting immediately before you burn your house down! you re running 2 600 watt ballasts? buy 2 300 watt led lights this way your outlets stop melting <3 :3 seriously though switch too led you will use less power. the problem here is your ballasts are using too much power.
 
3rdCoastReggie

3rdCoastReggie

Member
I live in an old farm house and I have rewired part of it and installed a new 200 amp service.
I actually found a few bad breakers in the old panel. So if all else fails check and/or replace the breakers your room is on. I ran all new 240v circuits for my lights so I can rest easy and it's was definitely worth it. Either educate yourself or pay an electrician. I would probably make sure the correct gauge wire is being used with the breaker. Lots of resources online so you can at least diagnose the problem
 
Hook Daddy

Hook Daddy

Well-Known Member
Seanf610 said:
I know they use power conditioners for musical instruments that have a higher voltage instead of plugging straight into an electric source it saves your instrument and socket from over riding and maintains quality of sound. I’m sure they have something like this for gardens if not you could always try one out. they say 2000 watt so maybe up to that they have ones for $1,000 or less like this one. I don’t know if these could work but… hopefully it would.

www.harborfreight.com

2000 Watt Continuous/4000 Watt Peak Modified Sine Wave Power Inverter

Amazing deals on this Power Inverter 2000W Continuous 4000W Peak at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com


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Please do not attempt to help people when you don’t have a clue yourself. That is a power inverter for running AC equipment off of DC batteries. The guys worried about burning his house down and you send him out for batteries, great help. OP please just contact an electrician if you don’t know yourself, outlets should not get hot, and melting is definitely not a normal scenario, something is wrong.
 
Hook Daddy

Hook Daddy

Well-Known Member
Seanf610 said:
No check this link instead do you think it could help? I had it up before

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No, that is a power conditioner but still has no ability to make any meaningful difference with outlets getting hot. If it’s drawing power it will continue to do so at the same rate, which is what causes the heat. There are likely bad connections or something in the outlets, walls, wherever, point is without getting out meters and measuring stuff we’re just guessing, and that doesn’t help him fix the problem, nor does purchasing random pieces of equipment.
 
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