400w HPS on an Extention cord, Dangerous?

purplehays1

purplehays1

Well-Known Member
I didnt even think about it when i was planning my setup, but is it dangerous to run a 400w hps on an extension cord? I have 2 pretty heavy duty extension cords i could use but i have no idea how to rate an extention cord or how to tell its rating and if it would be safe for 12 hrs straight of 400w going through it from a 120 outlet. Last thing i need is a fire, my wife would never let me grow again :)

PS Burning alive doesnt sound fun either, but im more afraid of the wifey.
 
purplehays1

purplehays1

Well-Known Member
i think i have 2 16 gauge cords to choose from, one is 16/3 whatever that means cant tell what the other is it just says 16awg
 
ayr0n

ayr0n

Well-Known Member
I'm no electrician but IMO if nothing is exposed, no water nearby, etc...you'll be good to go. That's why you got breakers I thought - if it's overloaded it'll just trip the breaker n stop everything on that line...
 
T

TheMeadows

Active Member
After the light has been running for a bit, check the temperature of the entire cord. A hot spot indicates a damaged wire. If its all hot, you're pulling too many amps.
 
purplehays1

purplehays1

Well-Known Member
ya ive checked, 30 ft 16/3 cord is fine. My hood/ballast only pulls like 3 amps (Sun Systems 400w all in one 250/400 HPS/MH) so 30 ft run is nothing to that cable, and it can handle like 8 amps safely from what i have read.
 
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april

april

Pickle Queen
I have the same light...mine is connected to a power cord with a
Surge protector which is plugged into my timer in the outlet in the wall...had a recent flood...power cord saved my light. ..maybe house...safety first.
 
mrCRC420

mrCRC420

Well-Known Member
Definitely, make sure the gauge of your extension cord matches that of the HID you're plugging in. Checking the heat of the wire was also a good idea. I'm just restating what I liked.
 
GrowerGoneWild

GrowerGoneWild

Well-Known Member
Prolly not dangerous, if the cord is rated to the amp rating. the 16/3 is rated for that as long as its a short distance. Letsee here amp=watts/110.. Around 4 amp load.

IF it were me I only run a 12/3 cord to a 15 amp surge strip, then run the cord as close as possible to the the ballast. I only mention this because I just has a solis tech digital ballast fail on me and thankfully the surge strip caught the overload, and I was plugged directly into the strip with no extension cord between.

I never have regrets buying a heavy duty cord, I regret it when I buy a light one.
 
jcommerce

jcommerce

Well-Known Member
Gauge simply refers to the size and diameter of the wire within the cord. Most 16 guage, 3 prongs are rated for 3.6 amps and 1600 - 1875 watts. It it were me, I'd sleep better at night with a 14 gauge. I use a 12 gauge for my 1000k + 216 watts in T5s, pumps, fans, etc. with a 20 amp breaker. I have a Kill-A-Watt that's showing about 1400 watts usage / 14 amps on a 110V circuit. Obviously the amperage would be much less on 240V
 
2sheds

2sheds

Member
purplehays1 said:
the cord is like 30 or maybe even 50 ft long, does that matter?
Click to expand...
Go to a big box store and pick out a 10 foot heavy duty cord, like 14 ga. if you don't need 30 feet. At least the same gauge as the ballast output gauge. Bigger. Shorter. Sit the connected ends (cord and ext. cord) on a piece of 2x4. In case of floods.
 
Deusracing

Deusracing

Well-Known Member
purplehays1 said:
I didnt even think about it when i was planning my setup, but is it dangerous to run a 400w hps on an extension cord? I have 2 pretty heavy duty extension cords i could use but i have no idea how to rate an extention cord or how to tell its rating and if it would be safe for 12 hrs straight of 400w going through it from a 120 outlet. Last thing i need is a fire, my wife would never let me grow again :)

PS Burning alive doesnt sound fun either, but im more afraid of the wifey.
Click to expand...
Dude i work in power plants if you have 12awg 50 feet you should be fine what do you think romex is.. 12 or 14awg.
 
JackHererSki

JackHererSki

Well-Known Member
I think its fine. I put all my stuff on a surge protector. I run my ballast, my 2 fans and my timer off that. breaker is 20amp, surge protector and timer are 15amp. Im still under 10amp
 
Walter9999

Walter9999

Well-Known Member
Shorten the extension cord to the length you need...the extra cord is where your overheating issues will arise...a 14 or 12 gauge would def give me more relief though...g/l
 
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