Electrical question:

[DroLo]

I want to run either 3 600's or 2 1k's.

I looked at my breaker box today and I don't have any idea what I am looking at but here's what it says:

120/240 volts on the switch base for the room I want to use.

Question: Does this mean it's a 120 and a 240? So I can run either? I read if its a 240 you can run more lights on it.

On the switch it self says 15 and 20 on some others but 15 for the room I am using. Does that mean its 15 amps?

Thanks for any translations.

 

[Sloppy Seconds]

Without getting too tech heavy, your room is running 120 volt 15 amp's.
your breaker box has the ability to run 240, like a electric cloths dryer.
this will do some of you want to do, but, you also need to take into account all your electical needs. ( pumps, fans, A/C ect.)
your best bet would be to run each light from each seperate breaker, but it sounds like you have just one going to that room. (thats normal)
you might want to hire a profesional to add more dedicated outlets to your grow space.
your other option would be to down-size your grow area, maybe run only one 600 watt light? go for a smaller operation?
I hope this helps, good luck.

 

[fumancu]

How far is the breakerbox from the room.Is there any blank spots in your breakerbox.I just did this for a freind.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=93799

 

[DroLo]

Breaker box is about 20 feet away but in a very odd spot in the kitchen.


Question 1:

Anyone have a guess how much its gonna set me back to add a breaker box to the place to run an extra light? Im sure it depends on several factors but I am sure there is someone out there who could give me a rough idea.

Question 2:

What if I just ran an extension coord from another room into the grow room? Each room seems to have a seperate switch for it.

 

[fumancu]

Any empty spots to add more breakers.A pic with the face off your breaker box would help.

 

[Guest]

Anyone have a guess how much its gonna set me back to add a breaker box to the place to run an extra light? Im sure it depends on several factors but I am sure there is someone out there who could give me a rough idea.

You don't need a sub-panel. Just run a new circuit: $3 for the receptacle, $15 for the double pole breaker ($10 for single), $20 for a 25ft roll of 12-2. I suggest 240v.

 

[PharmaCan]

You don't need a sub-panel. Just run a new circuit: $3 for the receptacle, $15 for the double pole breaker ($10 for single), $20 for a 25ft roll of 12-2. I suggest 240v.

Obviously you are overlooking one important thing the OP wrote:

.

I looked at my breaker box today and I don't have any idea what I am looking at but ...

It really isn't prudent to suggest that someone who openly admits they haven't a clue about electrical work to DIY a new circuit.

DroLo - Do like fumancu said and post a couple pics of your panel. Then people here can point you in the right direction.

PC

 

[Guest]

Obviously you are overlooking one important thing the OP wrote:


It really isn't prudent to suggest that someone who openly admits they haven't a clue about electrical work to DIY a new circuit.

Man, I don't need you to tell me what he can or can't do.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

I agree with if theres a will theres a way...but we are dealing with some dangerous items here. And some folks, as enthusiastic as they may be, just simply have no business messin around with such stuff. And we must also realize that the poster is not the only one who reads this stuff, and many take everything they read to heart and will not hesitate to try something they read about. Problem is, many things they read are completely boneheaded moves posted by completely boneheaded assholes.

That being said...and having posted boneheaded shit myself before...I want to make note that I AM NOT A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN, although I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Doc,
Like E Steven was saying, you can do this thing on your own for not much coin, provided you do it properly. First thing that is going to tell us if you can even start to do as Steven suggests is to know if you have any room for another circuit in your breaker box. The little slots that your switch thingys (breaker switches) are landed in now are lined up in a row of switches...you will need to have one of those slots available...in other words, there must be an area let over where another breaker can be landed. It will be obvious that there is a cover that can be punched out for one or more slots if there are any left.

(the picture is needed for fast response by those who know here)

Even if there are no slots avail, it is possible that you can change one of the breakers to another style that will allow this to happen.

Providing you are good for breaker availability, you are going to have to learn how to run romex wire from the main box to where you need the new receptacle. This is not as simple as it sounds for anyone who hasn't done it, but a quick search on google will net you a wealth of tutorials by competent pros that can guide your through the process. They are going to only give you advise that is NEC or CEC code worthy, and if you stay within code, you will never go wrong.
I suggest that no matter what you do, you do things to code as best as you can.
Do not take boneheaded shortcuts that you see on pot board DIY's and run with them...especially if you have no electrical background.
And trust me, there are some boneheaded moves made here and on other pot boards on a regular and consistent basis. Even by good folks who mean well...

Get your down and dirty electrical advise and info from professionals, or at least confirm what you learned elsewhere with them. These folks have message boards that are dealing with nothing but these issues, and are as passionate about electrical shit as we are herbage.

Also, would a 12/12 flip flop between lights work out for you?

 

[DroLo]

Thanks a lot for the information here.

Instead of guess work I am going to post some pics just don't have a digital camera on hand. Give me a couple of days I guess I posted my question a little prematurely I figured I would need pictures anyways.

Electrical issues are the last obstacle stopping me from doing this as it has always just gone completely over my head...

Thanks for the advice off to get a digital camera....and don't worry I am no gung hoelectrician lol did demolition on some houses and found out how f**kin crazy electricity is on my own.

 

[PharmaCan]

Man, I don't need you to tell me what he can or can't do.

Well, yes you do because you are giving bogus advice about something that could lead to serious injury, death or property damage.

At the risk of being rude, please, grow up. These kind of comments are unnecessary.

PC

 

[PharmaCan]

DroLo - If you want to get started right away, extension cords will work. However, you need to calculate the load on each circuit to make sure you aren't overloading the circuit. If you buy extension cords, it is best to get the shortest cord possible and make sure that the cord has nothing smaller than 12ga wire in it. (The bigger the gauge number, the smaller the wire.)

FYI - The "switches" you are referring to are actually called "circuit breakers" or just "breakers".

PC

 

[DroLo]

Thanks, I was thinking of just running the extension coord through the wall because the rooms are right next to each other and nothing is going to be on either breaker power wise other thna grow things but if its reasonable to just install on my own I will.

Should have pictures thursday....

 

[DroLo]

Everytime I try to upload pictures it gives me this error:

/data/web/icmag/icmag.com/www/gallery/uploads/37120: Error creating directory (check permissions).

Please notify the System Administrator.

anyone know whats wrong?

 

[PharmaCan]

Everytime I try to upload pictures it gives me this error:

/data/web/icmag/icmag.com/www/gallery/uploads/37120: Error creating directory (check permissions).

Please notify the System Administrator.

anyone know whats wrong?

You might not have enough posts to post photo on this forum. Use photobucket or something and post a link.

PC

 

[DroLo]

Here are the pictures:

Here are the pictures:

 

[fumancu]

Looks like theres 2 empty spots on the lower right.Get a double 20 amp breaker like the one thats in there.Some 12/2 with ground Romax.Run two lines. Wire an outlet on the end of each and your good to go.Thats just the basic ides.

 

[DroLo]

Alright I will start hitting up the electric books then it seems.....

 

[who me]

Be careful....even when you shut off the main 200 amp the top of that panel is going to be hot and unregulated at around 600 amp. there are big lugs with allen head screws about 3/8 or so. those will still be live when you shut off the Main breaker

 

[RussCargill]

Might be wise to go outside near your meter and filp the real main