another wiring question...... adding a 240v circuit

[Desert Hydro]

so i wanna add a dedicated 240 v circuit and set up a power box to control all my lighting. i plan on buying the power box premade as my electrical skills are mediocre at best. i can easily add the circuit but i dont trust myself to pick out all the right parts and whatnot to build the box.

my main question is should i hardwire the powerbox directly into the panel or install a 240 range style 50 amp receptacle underneath the main panel and get a powerbox with a 4 prong cord and simply plug it in?

landlord is OK with mods as long as i return the shit back to its original state when i leave and its safe lol.

i am familiar with how to wire the receptacle but if im gonna hardwire the unit can i simply put a hole in the drywall and then knockout one of the plugs in the panel and run it through?

here is the unit im looking at. thanks for all the help

i will get over to my spot tonight and see what type of breakers i need. i know i will need 6-3 wire for the 50 amp line if i run a receptacle but not if i hardwire it

 

[Desert Hydro]

i took a nap and i think the answer came to me whilst sleeping lol. to hardwire i will simply need a receptacle box that has the small hole and the cord clamp so it cant be tugged out and then simply run it up through the wall to the panel and install the breaker. sound about right? i will get pics of the panel/process when i get all the stuff

 

[dansbuds]

you want a means of disconnect by the control box ( the range outlet ) for saftey sake . so i'd get the range outlet & a 4" square box & cover & put the range outlet in . otherwise the only way you can disconnect the power to the control box is at the panel . you want a way to kill power right by the control box ... not just the panel especially if its i another room .

 

[Desert Hydro]

makes sense. thanks. hows that V+B treating you? still running it?

 

[Desert Hydro]

here's a shot of the panel if that helps. the water heater isnt in use so i have it turned off at the breaker. i can remove that breaker and the one above it to put in a double pole 50 amp breaker and run a range plug and powerbox. that should power all of my lighting with some power to spare for this run. my sativa hybrids are going in the tree tent and my indicas are going in a 5x5 with a 1k

 

[dansbuds]

kinda surprised the water heater is only 110 volts , most are 220 . but yeah if you can pull the breaker above it too , that'll give ya room for the 2 pole 50 . your going to need the 6/4 wire ... the controller has a 4 wire plug (look at the pic of the unit ) cuz it needs the neutral wire for the Timer & relays in the unit & to be able to give you a couple 110 outlets off the unit too .

i gave up on the V&B for now . he changed the original formula & its not mixing with my water to well & the dirty once mixed is a perfect 5.8 for my automated DTW pots of coco .... but the PH climbs back to 6.4 by the next morning & i just can't readjust the PH every freakin day .

 

[Jhhnn]

With some brands of breaker boxes, you can get 240v breakers that only use one slot & 120v breakers that are half slot. If yours is like that, you can hook up everything with only a small amount of extra expense & work.

What's the rating of the main breaker? I ask because it's important not to overload it or the service from your provider.

 

[dansbuds]

I'm sorry jhhnn .... but a 2 pole breaker will NOT work in 1 spot on the panel . it needs both legs to get a true 220 volts . & it looks like its a sub panel & with what he's got in it ... he should be fine unless his outlet circuits are loaded to the max .

 

[Desert Hydro]

its a tiny on demand water heater, thats why its only a twenty. the breaker above the water heater is one of the ones im using for my lights right now so i can simply plug all that into the new powerbox and im set. i found extension cords for hydrofarm style plugs on ebay so i can run a few longer lamp cords if need be.

 

[redclayguerilla]

you want a means of disconnect by the control box ( the range outlet ) for saftey sake . so i'd get the range outlet & a 4" square box & cover & put the range outlet in . otherwise the only way you can disconnect the power to the control box is at the panel . you want a way to kill power right by the control box ... not just the panel especially if its i another room .

Great advice! I have an electrical disconnect box next to my power/control center just for extra peace of mind since my 50amp breaker is located behind my house.

 

[Jhhnn]

I'm sorry jhhnn .... but a 2 pole breaker will NOT work in 1 spot on the panel . it needs both legs to get a true 220 volts . & it looks like its a sub panel & with what he's got in it ... he should be fine unless his outlet circuits are loaded to the max .

Not to be argumentative, but, as I offered, it depends on the breaker panel in question. Factory ganged GE THQL (2") and THQP(1") fit the same panel & will deliver 240v when installed in the proper configuration with other breakers. Otherwise, there would be no point in having them factory ganged.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

Obviously, I can't tell about the panel in question from here.

 

[dansbuds]

Your right ! they do make them , but its not a very commonly used load center around here . so i just figured it wasn't used much anywhere . my bad assumption