Ballast end plug for DIY cords?

[MPL]

I'm building ~50' extension cords from my power source to my ballast. Where can I get the ballast end plugs locally? I think they are IEC C13 type plugs, but I am not really sure (for Gavita 1000 DE fixtures). I don't want cheap, flimsy parts. I won't risk any kind of failure, or worse.

Thanks!

 

[rives]

Hard to help with "local" since I don't know where that is, but Mouser.com is a good source for just about any electrical/electronic component.

http://www.mouser.com/Connectors/Power-Connectors/_/N-axip3?Keyword=IEC+C13&FS=True

 

[MPL]

By local I meant typical national chain in the US. Haven't seen that connector at any of the big box stores.

Thanks for the link!

Hard to help with "local" since I don't know where that is, but Mouser.com is a good source for just about any electrical/electronic component.

http://www.mouser.com/Connectors/Power-Connectors/_/N-axip3?Keyword=IEC+C13&FS=True

 

[growshopfrank]

I usually shop here
http://www.digikey.ca/product-searc...ors-inlets-outlets-modules-unfiltered/1442743

 

[MPL]

bleh when I look online for this plug there are a bunch of variations of it and I don't know which one I need. No one has it in town.

I can't even find a freaking 40a contactor anywhere in the greater Denver area.

 

[growshopfrank]

bleh when I look online for this plug there are a bunch of variations of it and I don't know which one I need. No one has it in town.

I can't even find a freaking 40a contactor anywhere in the greater Denver area.

Try the local HVAC supply,they should have a decent selection

 

[MPL]

Nope. Not a single electrical supply shop or HVAC shop has 40 amp 2 pole 120v contactors. Several told me they don't even exist, which I know is false.

Still haven't been able to find the correct plugs to go into my ballast either

This is really frustrating

Try the local HVAC supply,they should have a decent selection

 

[sanjuan]

.

 

[rives]

Nope. Not a single electrical supply shop or HVAC shop has 40 amp 2 pole 120v contactors. Several told me they don't even exist, which I know is false.

Still haven't been able to find the correct plugs to go into my ballast either

This is really frustrating

Three pole contactors may have better availability and will give you spare pole. Grainger carries them, but they are pretty spendy from them. AutomationDirect has the best prices that I've found for DPDT power relays. They also have single throw versions or damn near anything else you could want. Fryes is about the only chain that I can think of that might have the plug that you want.

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...n-Style,_40A_(AD-PR40_Series)/AD-PR40-2C-120A

 

[growshopfrank]

When you order/buy a contactor it will make assembling everything easier if you get the model that has box lugs VS pressure screws
FWIW I did a quick ebay search for "40a 2p 120v coil contactor" and got some hits

 

[MPL]

Problem is that I don't have time to order. Oh well.

Grainger has the contactor for about $75.

Since I can't seem to find the ballast end plug would it be safe to use a standard 240v ballast cord, attached to say a 40' 12 ga SO cord (will make myself), connected to my outlet? So ballast>>> standard cord>>> SO extension>>> outlet?

 

[growshopfrank]

Is there a reason that you cant just run some 8 GA from your power source to where the ballasts are?
another option to the 40A contactor would be a 40a mechanical timer I cant imagine them not being available locally

check amazon for the contactor

 

[rives]

Problem is that I don't have time to order. Oh well.

Grainger has the contactor for about $75.

Since I can't seem to find the ballast end plug would it be safe to use a standard 240v ballast cord, attached to say a 40' 12 ga SO cord (will make myself), connected to my outlet? So ballast>>> standard cord>>> SO extension>>> outlet?

This would work find. You are way under the capacity of a 12 gauge cord and short enough that there are no issues with voltage drop. If you use some good quality plugs and connector bodies, you should be golden.

Here are a couple of options from Grainger -

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAY...m/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/3X748_AS01?$smthumb$


http://www.grainger.com/product/MAG...m/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/6CUT4_AS01?$smthumb$

 

[MPL]

Can't modify the structure so cannot run a new power line.

Contactor is for a controller that switches power between two outlets so that no one accidentally uses that power source while the lights are on. Can't use a timer in that capacity.

Is there a reason that you cant just run some 8 GA from your power source to where the ballasts are?
another option to the 40A contactor would be a 40a mechanical timer I cant imagine them not being available locally

check amazon for the contactor

 

[MPL]

That's what I thought rives. Thanks for confirming! Thanks for the link too, I will see if those will work. I don't know much about electrical work so I want to try to use exactly the same part that is already in my panel.

This would work find. You are way under the capacity of a 12 gauge cord and short enough that there are no issues with voltage drop. If you use some good quality plugs and connector bodies, you should be golden.

Here are a couple of options from Grainger -

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAY...m/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/3X748_AS01?$smthumb$


http://www.grainger.com/product/MAG...m/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/6CUT4_AS01?$smthumb$

 

[growshopfrank]

That's what I thought rives. Thanks for confirming! Thanks for the link too, I will see if those will work. I don't know much about electrical work so I want to try to use exactly the same part that is already in my panel.

Just out of curiosity what kind of load do you plan on running through that 12ga extension?

 

[MPL]

About 5 amps. At 240v over a 50' length of cord I get less than 1% voltage drop iirc

Just out of curiosity what kind of load do you plan on running through that 12ga extension?

 

[growshopfrank]

About 5 amps. At 240v over a 50' length of cord I get less than 1% voltage drop iirc

Ok that will be just fine
It was just a combination of a 40A contactor and talk about more than one fixture that had me curious is all
looks like you got it under control,good deal

 

[MPL]

No worries, glad you were checking. I came here for advice I'd be a fool not to listen when it is offered. If anyone sees any safety issues I particularly want to know.

What would be the max safe voltage drop? I'm thinking I may have to go longer than 50'.

Ok that will be just fine
It was just a combination of a 40A contactor and talk about more than one fixture that had me curious is all
looks like you got it under control,good deal

 

[rives]

The code spec for residential voltage drop is 5%, but you want to stay well under that for HID lighting to keep from having the light drop off-line and restart when other heavy loads start up. You would also need to take into account the wiring from the load center to the receptacle as well as the extension cord, but with 12 gauge, 240v, and a light load you should be good for a substantial distance.