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

[NinjaToke]

I have a question about my garages power supply being sufficient. I have 1x4OOwatt lamp, 2xSquirrel cage fans, 1x small desktop fan,1x waterpump and an ac unit. I know all this running off of one plug is too much so I connected the ac to a surge protector on a seperate plug. I thought my problem was fixed when I realized all plugs in my garage come from one main spot, will there be a problem?

 

[GoinGreen09]

I'm trying to hook all my lights up to 240. I thought I had more 240s in my house then I do apparently. I've got 3 plugs that are 3 prong that I believed were 240 that was used for window ac units but now that I'm researching I think they are just a different 120 plug. ( I'll try and get pics later when I get home)

so now it appears the only 240 I have is my dryer outlet. So here is my question, will I be able to run a 400 watt, and a 1k ballast as well as be able to still use my dryer? And if so, how can I split it off to be able to do this. The breaker for that plug is 30amp but I'm not sure how much a standard dryer uses. If I can't run all of them at the same time I guess I can just use my dryer when the lights are off but that might be I convenient sometimes. Thanks for any input.

 

[SuperCali420]

100 vs. 220:

I currently have one 1000 watt light running on a 110 volt line and I plan on adding a second 1000 watt light. I have conflicting advice as to whether adding/changing to a 240 volt line will reduce my electric bill. One side says that adding a 240 volt line will reduce my electric costs in half...because they claim that you can run two 1000 watt lights on a 240 volt line for the same price you can run one 1000 watt light on a 110 volt line. The equation they quote is 110volt line: one 1000 watt light divided 120 volts = 8.33 amps....240 volt line: 2 1000 watt lights (2000watts) divided by 240 volts = 8.33 amps. They say that it is the amps (in California) that the electric company charges you for...and therefore you can run two 1000 watts lights on a 240 volt line for the same price as running one 1000 watt on a 110 volt line.

Is this true?? Could someone please advise?

 

[tactownryder]

how many lumens do 17 watt fluourecent tubes put off? is four tubes enough for three plants in a row? 2 " above plants?

 

[BigBudBalls]

You will never see the cost benny of going to 220. its there but so small, just leaving the fridge open too long once and the savings is gone.

watts is watts is power.
10 amps @120 = 1200Watts
5 amps @220 = 1200watts.

you buy watts, not amps.

100 vs. 220:

I currently have one 1000 watt light running on a 110 volt line and I plan on adding a second 1000 watt light. I have conflicting advice as to whether adding/changing to a 240 volt line will reduce my electric bill. One side says that adding a 240 volt line will reduce my electric costs in half...because they claim that you can run two 1000 watt lights on a 240 volt line for the same price you can run one 1000 watt light on a 110 volt line. The equation they quote is 110volt line: one 1000 watt light divided 120 volts = 8.33 amps....240 volt line: 2 1000 watt lights (2000watts) divided by 240 volts = 8.33 amps. They say that it is the amps (in California) that the electric company charges you for...and therefore you can run two 1000 watts lights on a 240 volt line for the same price as running one 1000 watt on a 110 volt line.

Is this true?? Could someone please advise?

 

[smartguy345]

Hey I have a question can I use this ( below is pic ) on a power surge of some sort without risking any electrical problems? Granted I would have to make sure I do not pull to much watts, but I am only looking at using 3 26 or 42 w fluros on a one surge protector or something simliar.

If i can use that without having any problems, If glued that adaptor to the outlet of choice what can I use that is safe, glue wise??

I ask this because my wall outlets, for some reason everytime I plug something in it fits real loose not snug, lol, and is aggravating. Of course I wont have this problem with a new surge protector, but just to be on safe side.

What I have been doing now , and I hope is safe, I have been using 16 gauge electrical extension cords and been running them thru the attic to my grow area, to spread out the electricity that is being used in grow area. I wanted to be on safe side, so I have my portable ac on one breaker, my fan on another, as well lights. I plan on using my laundry room for the fluros as the laundry room is on a 220 and I am not using it at all for any washing! nada.. so i can run up a heavy duty extentsion cord to my grow op and pull off quite a few amps off of that.

Is that safe? The extentsion cords are not drawing more amps then what it says it can handle. So I figured it wouldnt be but I just want to be on the safe side and take all the proper precautions.




a que

 

[smartguy345]

I also wanted to add that I plan on wiring some cpu fans to some standard 12v charging adapaters.. I am not sure how many fans I can run per adapter, I guess I have to check amps on fan and adapter. however when doing the wiring for this, any friendly suggestions to prevent forest fires?

I may seem a lil ocd here, but I like to take all the proper precautions and ensure my investment is safe. I mean I have done it before and all I did was strip the wire to expose it connect to adapter then put electrical tape over it. However I was thinking about using 4-6 cpu fans on a 2 foot wood strip of some sort. All pointed at certain angles to ensure proper ventilation and to generate enough wind to move the plants. I already have a air purifier, a wall fan, and a large stand up oscilliating fan, i just wanted to get some more smaller fans in .

 

[d1zl3]

I also wanted to add that I plan on wiring some cpu fans to some standard 12v charging adapaters.. I am not sure how many fans I can run per adapter, I guess I have to check amps on fan and adapter. however when doing the wiring for this, any friendly suggestions to prevent forest fires?

I may seem a lil ocd here, but I like to take all the proper precautions and ensure my investment is safe. I mean I have done it before and all I did was strip the wire to expose it connect to adapter then put electrical tape over it. However I was thinking about using 4-6 cpu fans on a 2 foot wood strip of some sort. All pointed at certain angles to ensure proper ventilation and to generate enough wind to move the plants. I already have a air purifier, a wall fan, and a large stand up oscilliating fan, i just wanted to get some more smaller fans in .

im not an electrician... far from it, but i got 5 12V fans connected to a 120V power supply, just like a phone charger but a bit bigger, and everything has been running smooth for about a week.

 

[smartguy345]

sweet thanks for that info, perhaps someone will give me input on my other questions. Yea I think those cpu fans are bad ass. There small quiet and portable. allows me to create a small draft in grow room. I am doing is creating a vortex like wind. Meaning that the air will circulate around the grow room to ensure there is no stale air and that plenty of fresh air is brought in.

 

[lowerarchy]

Sorry folks in this question has already been asked and answered, but this thread is long and there's a ton of stuff to go through.

I've got some 24W T5 fluorescent lights, 2' long. They can be pigtailed together. I ran five of them successfully for a few months just plugged right into a 15 amp wall outlet. The other day I rerouted a 20amp baseboard heater wire to a duplex receptacle. It seems to run air pumps and water pumps fine but when I plug a fluorescent into it it blows the built-in ballast. The tube remains functional, but there's this zapping sound and the light won't work anymore. I checked my wiring, removed some downstream receptacles from the circuit and tried it again, this time with only one fixture, and it blew the light.

I'm not very experienced with electrical wiring or lights so perhaps I've made some glaring error. Everything I looked at online said you could run 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit. The wire gauge I've used is 12/3. Can't figure out what's going wrong. The only thing I can think of is voltage drop because the wiring does take a circuitous route through the house to get to where it needs to be.

Anyway, any input appreciated.

 

[Garrettg1]

will normal lightbulbs ( non flourescent )work for the beginning stage, after germinated and in the pots, i am getting one eventually but i have sprouted seeds now and only normal lamps/lights.

 

[AquafinaOrbit]

Sorry folks in this question has already been asked and answered, but this thread is long and there's a ton of stuff to go through.

I've got some 24W T5 fluorescent lights, 2' long. They can be pigtailed together. I ran five of them successfully for a few months just plugged right into a 15 amp wall outlet. The other day I rerouted a 20amp baseboard heater wire to a duplex receptacle. It seems to run air pumps and water pumps fine but when I plug a fluorescent into it it blows the built-in ballast. The tube remains functional, but there's this zapping sound and the light won't work anymore. I checked my wiring, removed some downstream receptacles from the circuit and tried it again, this time with only one fixture, and it blew the light.

I'm not very experienced with electrical wiring or lights so perhaps I've made some glaring error. Everything I looked at online said you could run 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit. The wire gauge I've used is 12/3. Can't figure out what's going wrong. The only thing I can think of is voltage drop because the wiring does take a circuitous route through the house to get to where it needs to be.

Anyway, any input appreciated.

Little confused on exactly what you mean here, but I'll answer what I got.
Firstly no you cannot run a 15Amp receptacle on a 20amp circuit, what you can do is run a 15amp appliance on a 20amp circuit. A 15amp recepticle is designed around the heat 15amps of power brings, so when connected to a 20amp circuit it start to malfunction and can even melt creating if not shorts or opens then fire.
Also 12/3 is a romex cable with a red, white, black cable and probably a bare ground rather then the typical white, black, and ground so the fact that its being used probably means something. something like, its a 240v line, is supplying two 20amp circuits. As for the floros, I'd guess that its a voltage issue. The heater was probably pulling something like 240v, and the Floro ballast is designed for something else. The reason fans and pumps continue to work is because they don't have to be exact power to run and will basically try to move no matter what you give them, but they will burn out extremely fast at the same time.

 

[LogicalEvolution]

Thought I would test the waters here before I begin work, looking at wiring a handfull of CFL lights together using one of the articles on this board, but australian power cables are slightly different than those mentioned.

Looked at light sockets today and they all have four connections, if I get an extension cord and a socket could you guys help me to wire it up? I could probably figure it out but would prefer guidance if possible

Thank you.

Edit - some thing of interest also, found out that "Y" light socket connectors that just plug in are illegal here

 

[lowerarchy]

Little confused on exactly what you mean here, but I'll answer what I got.
Firstly no you cannot run a 15Amp receptacle on a 20amp circuit, what you can do is run a 15amp appliance on a 20amp circuit. A 15amp recepticle is designed around the heat 15amps of power brings, so when connected to a 20amp circuit it start to malfunction and can even melt creating if not shorts or opens then fire.

I thought that if it what you were drawing was only 15 amps then it was ok. Keep in mind that I installed a GFCI to ensure that it would never draw more than that. I also never exceed 80% of the circuit's capacity and the total load was more like 10 amps.

Also 12/3 is a romex cable with a red, white, black cable and probably a bare ground rather then the typical white, black, and ground so the fact that its being used probably means something. something like, its a 240v line, is supplying two 20amp circuits. As for the floros, I'd guess that its a voltage issue. The heater was probably pulling something like 240v, and the Floro ballast is designed for something else. The reason fans and pumps continue to work is because they don't have to be exact power to run and will basically try to move no matter what you give them, but they will burn out extremely fast at the same time.

You are probably right about the voltage. There were only three wires running into the heater I rewired (red, black and ground). My original post was incorrect - I used 12/2, red, black and ground). This does make a hell of a lot of sense.

I'm an idiot. I'll get a voltage tester and see for sure later. Thanks for the response.

 

[cobra]

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.

What up Bricktown? I need your help with the electrical to a room I want to build. I attached a pic. The room has two normal electrical outlets (don't know what the fuse ampage is) and I already talked to an electrician and got a quote for him to put in a 220 outlet. I am moving into this house and have not done so yet. What do I need to do to run a setup like this.

 

[BigBudBalls]

I thought that if it what you were drawing was only 15 amps then it was ok. Keep in mind that I installed a GFCI to ensure that it would never draw more than that. I also never exceed 80% of the circuit's capacity and the total load was more like 10 amps.

GFCI are not for overload protection:
A GFCI is a ``ground-fault circuit interrupter''. It measures
the current current flowing through the hot wire and the
neutral wire. If they differ by more than a few milliamps, the
presumption is that current is leaking to ground via some other
path. This may be because of a short circuit to the chassis of
an appliance, or to the ground lead, or through a person. Any
of these situations is hazardous, so the GFCI trips, breaking
the circuit.

GFCIs do not protect against all kinds of electric shocks. If,
for example, you simultaneously touched the hot and neutral
leads of a circuit, and no part of you was grounded, a GFCI
wouldn't help. All of the current that passed from the hot
lead into you would return via the neutral lead, keeping the
GFCI happy.

 

[Ichi]

I think all of this stuff should be cool but I wanted to bounce it off of you guys to make sure. I have Two pole 40amp breaker that my dryer runs off of. I added a 12/2 wire and ran it to a single 240 plug. The 600w that I am hooking up only pulls 2amps and it will be the only thing that I have running on it so I figured we would be all good. Thanks.

 

[SeaOfGreenGuru]

I'm remodeling and expanding my grow after many years and have the opportunity to put in completely new service to the building with 100% dedicated wiring for my whole operation.

The general question is how many circuits and of what size should I dedicate for the room? How many 400W, 600W, 1000W lights and ballasts can be safely loaded on to a 15A breaker?.. a 20A breaker? (Assuming 110VAC supply voltage) A link to a table of number of lights of a given size vs. Breaker amperage would be a cool thing.

Particulars of my space:
New room size is 10'6" x 10'6" x 7'6"h plus a 3' deep by 10'6" wide closet for vegetative/cloning/mothers.

In the closet, I'll only have mothers, clones in rooting mode and clones in vegetative mode for a few weeks at most. I run two 250W Halide systems over the mothers and vegetative plants and 320W worth of flourescents over the rooting clones. With the 70cfm vent fan, that's a total wattage of approximately 900W, so that is easily handled on a 15A circuit.

In the bloom room, I'd like to be running six or eight 600W lights, but be wired to handle four 1000W lights plus four 400W fill lights, so need to handle a worst-case load of 5600W plus whatever the ballast losses are. (I suppose that's the big question - how much extra wattage does a ballast consume, for design purposes?) The way I see it I can drop in three 20A circuits, each able to handle two 600W lights plus something else such as the exhaust fan, or the nutrient pump or the oscillating fans.

Does this make sense?

SeaOfGreenGuru

 

[bender420]

Hey guys, cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this thread. I haven't worked with electricity before, but I really didn't wanna ask anyone to add an electric outlet in my attic.

Anyhow I found an outlet on the ceiling of the garage, under the attic floor. So in the attic i took off the silver lined plywood to check it out, I am adding a picture of the back of the outlet.

Now if I want to add an outlet in the attic which wire do I tap into, the white one or the one which is covered with gray material going into the outlet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bender420]

I'm remodeling and expanding my grow after many years and have the opportunity to put in completely new service to the building with 100% dedicated wiring for my whole operation.

The general question is how many circuits and of what size should I dedicate for the room? How many 400W, 600W, 1000W lights and ballasts can be safely loaded on to a 15A breaker?.. a 20A breaker? (Assuming 110VAC supply voltage) A link to a table of number of lights of a given size vs. Breaker amperage would be a cool thing.

Particulars of my space:
New room size is 10'6" x 10'6" x 7'6"h plus a 3' deep by 10'6" wide closet for vegetative/cloning/mothers.

In the closet, I'll only have mothers, clones in rooting mode and clones in vegetative mode for a few weeks at most. I run two 250W Halide systems over the mothers and vegetative plants and 320W worth of flourescents over the rooting clones. With the 70cfm vent fan, that's a total wattage of approximately 900W, so that is easily handled on a 15A circuit.

In the bloom room, I'd like to be running six or eight 600W lights, but be wired to handle four 1000W lights plus four 400W fill lights, so need to handle a worst-case load of 5600W plus whatever the ballast losses are. (I suppose that's the big question - how much extra wattage does a ballast consume, for design purposes?) The way I see it I can drop in three 20A circuits, each able to handle two 600W lights plus something else such as the exhaust fan, or the nutrient pump or the oscillating fans.

Does this make sense?

SeaOfGreenGuru

I cannot give you much input but i can tell you that I have been running two 600s and 250 watts of cfl, 6" exhaust fan, and a PC w/ 500 watt PS. All this on a 15 Amp breaker. It has been working safely for few months. No trips or anything.