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

ScoobyDoobyDoo

Well-Known Member
Scooby. Thx for help. So I just ask to have a 50a 240v subpanel installed ? Ballpark cost?
you could do that. then have him give you dedicated outlets for your 2 lights on a 30amp breaker. then have him give you a few more outlets all on the same 30 amp breaker. you won't ever use the max load anyway. depends on how far your room is from the breaker panel. $150-$400.
 

08GSXR600

Well-Known Member
The room is on the far side of the hours from the breaker. Maysound dumb, but how do they run the wiring? Can they use the existing wiring/outlsts in the house but run it to a different/ new circuit at the breaker? I apologize if this makes no sense. I don't have a firm understanding of this. I don't see how it can be done without tearing out my walls. I have plenty of outlets in the room but they are all on the same circuit.
 

ScoobyDoobyDoo

Well-Known Member
The room is on the far side of the hours from the breaker. Maysound dumb, but how do they run the wiring? Can they use the existing wiring/outlsts in the house but run it to a different/ new circuit at the breaker? I apologize if this makes no sense. I don't have a firm understanding of this. I don't see how it can be done without tearing out my walls. I have plenty of outlets in the room but they are all on the same circuit.
that's how most places are wired; by zone. all the outlets in a room are on the same breaker. the kitchen may get 2 breakers to handle appliances but that's pretty common. i couldn't tell you how they would do it but they can without ripping up your walls. usually they'll pull it thriugh the attack or into the basement. just have a few guys come give you an estimate. pickt he most reasonable one that looks like he won't steal the fine china.
 

08GSXR600

Well-Known Member
Thanks!! Yea it's concrete block with a concrete subfloor. Two story so no attic above it. :( I'll see what I can find!! Thank you for all your help
 

ScoobyDoobyDoo

Well-Known Member
So if i have a 4x4 area with reflective insulation, would i be able to fit 15 plants? If so, would 2 400watt hid lights work?
you'd be much more efficient and much better off yield wise just getting a single 600w light. it will cover the area much better. to get 15 plants in there you will have to keep them small. i would say 16 plants (4 rows of 4) under a 600w light in 1 gallon pots. you basically need to flower them as soon as they are rooted. either seed or clone.
 

Warlock1369

Well-Known Member
Go online and order a grow light. Homedot is for everything eles. eBay has some good combos. Hood filters and fans in 1 sale.
 

matatan

Well-Known Member
also, the outlet looks like this
outlet.jpg

i will need to swap it out with a 240v, can i do this myself? im pretty handy.. but by no means not an electrician.

i am 100% sure that is indeed a 240v outlet if ur wondering, i was testing what was on each circuit in my new apt, one by one, outlet by outlet, and this turned off my small fan(and made the fan superfast and eventually burned it out).
only other outlet not to be powered was the living room AC outlet which is a standard 240v outlet.
 

NERKY

Member
Wondering how you feel about growing with used mh/hps high bay warehouse lights with magnetic ballasts. I see a lot of people suggesting to rewire the multi-tap with a common 16/3 extension cord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKFWr1fA8d0&feature=plcp). Wondering about safety, particularly if I could improve it by wiring with a 110 cord rated to 90c or higher (if such a thing exists). In general, good idea/bad idea?
 

Warlock1369

Well-Known Member
16/3 is a bad idea if going with high watts. 14/3or10/3 would be my lowest. Amps going thrw a 16/3 will get very hot melting the outer cover possibly making wires contact and flames come after that.
 

ScoobyDoobyDoo

Well-Known Member
a lot of companies use #16 on their ballast extension cords. rated for 18amp. pushing a 1000w and 9amps shouldn't be that big of a deal. i would still go with #14 though.
 

oakley1984

Well-Known Member
anyone....?
and other question on top of this thread...?
you are asking if its okay to exceed the amperage rating on a power cord by over 33%.....
think hard. (and if your hard thinking comes to the conclusion that is okay... call an electrician)
 

matatan

Well-Known Member
a simple NO would have sufficed but ok, thanks for being a dick
the title of this thread says it all....
 

ScoobyDoobyDoo

Well-Known Member
NO only if exceeding 15 amps? what if its only 1200watts, thats well under 15amps..?
that picture you posted does not look like a 240v socket to me. and if it is the power strip cord you found on Amazon will not fit in it cause they are different plugs. if the power cord is rated for 15 amps then that is the max you an put on that cord as long as the outlet is rated for that many amps or more as well. amps = watts/voltage. 1200 watts / 240v = 5 amps. check all equipment though cause many times they run at 220v or something different. not everything is straight 120/240v.
 

matatan

Well-Known Member
that picture you posted does not look like a 240v socket to me. and if it is the power strip cord you found on Amazon will not fit in it cause they are different plugs. if the power cord is rated for 15 amps then that is the max you an put on that cord as long as the outlet is rated for that many amps or more as well. amps = watts/voltage. 1200 watts / 240v = 5 amps. check all equipment though cause many times they run at 220v or something different. not everything is straight 120/240v.
thank you sir, so i can run 1200watts on a 15amp extension on a 20amp circuit.

the socket isnt a 240v socket, but its running at 240 along with another outlet that does have a 240socket. its weird i know, im in an older apt... im thinking best bet n safest bet is to rewire it. can i accomplish without making any holes to the walls?
 

matatan

Well-Known Member
i see 2 options..
replace the socket with the correct 240socket and use the extension cord

go from the panel to room directly. researched a bit, i see 12/2 romex rated at 20amps is the wire i would need. how can i get this into the room? without holes in the wall
 
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