Electrical question for 600 watt grow

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corkphops

Member
I am still somewhat new to growing and have only worked with a 150watt hps, and pc fans for my grows. I am in the process of starting a new grow with a 600watt hps/mh, better inline fans which I still have not chosen (suggestions welcome
), as well as an osculating fan.
I just want to know whether or not everything will be able to be plugged in a ready to go or if this normally requires electrical work? Any help whatsoever is appreciated
 
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crashbog127

Well-Known Member
yea as long as you have the proper ballast.. and a timer to put the lights/ incline fans on you should be fine.. very easy to setup

i use a 600watt mh/hps myself
 
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crashbog127

Well-Known Member
i have a T5 bulb and an oscilating fan plugged into a surge protector and then into a timer on 1 socket in the room,
then the 600w with a few cfls plugged into another surge protector on a different timer on a different wall.

also have a oscillating fan and a green light plugged into a socket as well with no timer

and an AC plugged in on a different wall to climate control
 
FilthyFletch

FilthyFletch

Mr I Can Do That For Half
Just make sure your ballast is 110 for standard home outlet. If its a 220 volt then it has to have an outlet that is wired 220.
 
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crashbog127

Well-Known Member
that also looks like a great deal there on that light system.

i grabbed mine from htg supply, i got to customize it with exactly what i wanted.. but it looks like your link is cheaper
 
nuglets

nuglets

New Member
you are good to go. most house outlet circuits are rated for 15 amps. a 600w only uses 5.6 amps i think. like crash said, you can plug all the rest of that stuff on to power strips but plug the ballast/timer directly into a socket. remember...even if you have 2-3 sockets in the room they are all probably on the same circuit.
 
Gamer621

Gamer621

Well-Known Member
Fyi the ipower ballasts don't have rf protection that's why they're so cheap. Keep that in mind.
 
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corkphops

Member
crashbog127 said:
i have a T5 bulb and an oscilating fan plugged into a surge protector and then into a timer on 1 socket in the room,
then the 600w with a few cfls plugged into another surge protector on a different timer on a different wall.

also have a oscillating fan and a green light plugged into a socket as well with no timer

and an AC plugged in on a different wall to climate control
Click to expand...
Awesome man, thanks a lot. I probably will have to think about an a/c as well to deal with the heat since it will be in a closet.

FilthyFletch said:
Just make sure your ballast is 110 for standard home outlet. If its a 220 volt then it has to have an outlet that is wired 220.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help!
on the specifications for the light it shows
"Operating Voltage Range: 100v - 265v"
How can I know for sure if it needs a 110v or 220v outlet?
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
Like they've said, you'll be fine plugging it directly into the wall or into a timer/surge protector.

Ideally you should calculate your total amperage and make sure it's below ~85% of the rated load - just to play it safe. For instance if you run a 600w lamp, a 100w fan, and a 200w dehumidifier your total amperage would be 900w/110v = 8.18 amps. So this would be fine for a 10 amp breaker but if you upgraded to a 1kW light you should also upgrade to a 15 amp breaker. And of course make sure not to run anything with high peak power consumptions on the same breaker.
 
king.kush420

king.kush420

Member
think of it this way. Your average household outlet (which is 120v) is usually on a 15 amp circuit. a 600watt ballast is going to run about 6 amps, you inline fan is only 1amp. and most house hold fans are less then an amp.

a 600 watt system with all the bells and whistles, is about the same, as if you have a computer, with monitor, stereo hooked up. in fact, i have my computer, surround sound stereo, 48" LED TV and my PS3, all pulled into the same surge protector. and it actually draws more power then my 600watt grow system in the back.

Really i believe the only thing you may want to think about, is how well does your power flow. like in my hold house, it had some bad wiring. and i'd get power fluctuation. and your bulbs can flicker on and off. so i had to hook up my electronics up to a UPS. (uninterrupted power supply.) it buffers power, so you always get a steady current. granted most houses are fine, it's just something to keep in mind.
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
corkphops said:
Is that residential fire protection? if so what ballasts would you recommend as a better alternative?
Thanks a lot for the help
Click to expand...
This is residential fire protection -

[video=youtube;Nb7EFTDt8Nc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb7EFTDt8Nc[/video]

rf = radio frequency interference which is the same as electromagnetic interference.

I would highly recommend a Lumatek.
 
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corkphops

Member
Gastanker said:
This is residential fire protection -

[video=youtube;Nb7EFTDt8Nc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb7EFTDt8Nc[/video]

rf = radio frequency interference which is the same as electromagnetic interference.

I would highly recommend a Lumatek.
Click to expand...
That extinguisher is sick! excuse my ignorance but why should I worry about electromagnetic interference?
Thanks
 
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corkphops

Member
king.kush420 said:
think of it this way. Your average household outlet (which is 120v) is usually on a 15 amp circuit. a 600watt ballast is going to run about 6 amps, you inline fan is only 1amp. and most house hold fans are less then an amp.

a 600 watt system with all the bells and whistles, is about the same, as if you have a computer, with monitor, stereo hooked up. in fact, i have my computer, surround sound stereo, 48" LED TV and my PS3, all pulled into the same surge protector. and it actually draws more power then my 600watt grow system in the back.

Really i believe the only thing you may want to think about, is how well does your power flow. like in my hold house, it had some bad wiring. and i'd get power fluctuation. and your bulbs can flicker on and off. so i had to hook up my electronics up to a UPS. (uninterrupted power supply.) it buffers power, so you always get a steady current. granted most houses are fine, it's just something to keep in mind.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot!
 
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