Splitting a Dryer Outlet-Any Electricians Around

meds215

meds215

Well-Known Member
Alright so I am looking to upgrade my system, I rent an apartment so I am really pushing the limits of all my circuits and installing a sub panel is not an option.

I really want to run 2 1000 watters in a 4x8 tent. Obviously 600 watts runs fine plugged into the wall of the room. When I upgraded to 1000 watts, I ran an extension cord to my washer outlet and that worked fine. However now I run my vacuum oven to make concentrates into that circuit.

What I am hoping to do is run my CAP MLC-4X out of my dryer outlet, but I do not live alone and plugging and unplugging the dryer is not going to be a possibility for the lady of the house.

I would like to get some opinions on building some sort of a timer to automatically switch between the dryer and MLC. Something I can plug into the dryer outlet, then inside the box is a timer, relay and 2 outlets of sufficient size for the current involved. For 12 hours while my lights are on, the dryer outlet is disconnected via the relay and vice versa, that way there is no possibility of the two devices running at the same time and we don't have to continually pull the dryer in and out of its spot.

I understand the dryer needs a dedicated outlet, couldn't I hire someone to build me a box? People plug and unplug dryers to run these boxes and welders all day long, anybody see a problem with this idea?

This would also free up the outlet in the room so I could run a portable AC to keep the higher temp of the added ballast in check.

Thanks
 
rickymac21

rickymac21

Well-Known Member
I'm not an electrician by any means but I just did some electrical work myself. I'm not sure how our house is set up. But if there are items in the house that have dedicated breakers put might have other options. Like a garabage disposal, smoke detectors, or just a room that you don't use any outlets. You could for example, I wire your garbage disposal from the breaker, remove the breaker and replace with a higher amperage one. Then run wire to your grow room and install a 240v outlet. This is basically what I just did. So as long as you have something you don't need you can do this exchange.

I know this isn't a direct answer to your question so sort about that. I just thought I'd give you my two cents.
 
rickymac21

rickymac21

Well-Known Member
Definitely listen to SnapsProvolone. He's the one who just helped me accomplish my project. Good guy here
 
tallen

tallen

Well-Known Member
I think your talking about something like a flip box. Only instead of just flipping from one set of lights to another, your flipping from one outlet to another. Look up some tutorials (if your handy with wiring, if not then definitely hire it out) and see if you could make one to switch between outlets instead of lights.
 
meds215

meds215

Well-Known Member
That is correct, that's exactly what I'm trying to build except this one would utilize NEMA 10-30 outlets and plugs. I'm pretty sure I could build it myself, however I'd rather pay somebody with a better attention to detail and could make it look nice and professional.
 
tallen

tallen

Well-Known Member
You could buy a 220v flip box and just swap out the outlets from light plugs to normal 220v outlets.
 
C

callahanman

Member
Do you have any breaker spaces in your panel that are free? Oh I am an electrician. 20 yrs in the trade bro. Would advise against adding a larger breaker on existing wire. How comfortable would you be working in a live panel? Can you even get to the panel? Is you water heater electric and accessible as well as the dryer if you cannot get to the panel? Apartments can be a nightmare for electricians, some are good and some not so much.
 
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