** HELP ** DIY 30AMP dryer plug to power grow

[Zarthustra]

Hello everyone,
I am trying to build a 4x 220v outlet from a 30amp dryer output. Hopefully with an added feature that would keep power to a timer/timers when the dryer is used.

So, the lights would be on say, 8pm to 8am. The dryer would then need to be available for use during the lights off cycle. Is there a way to do this while keeping the dryer plugged in? Is there a way to do this while maintaining power to the light timers? Additionally, it is my understanding that 1x 1000w = 4.5A. Is 4000w or 18A the max load I could place on a 30A breaker?

 

[ApolloAK]

No, only one can be safely plugged in at a time. You can only put an 80% load on a breaker so a 30amp plug should not have more than 24amp draw

 

[watts]

well if you use a digital timer, it should keep your settings so you could unplug the lightning controller while you use the dryer for laundry, then unplug the dryer and plug the lighting controller back in before lights come back on.

 

[Wendull C.]

If you hard wire the light feed to the dryer junction box the timer will keep its power with the lights off and the dryer on since it is not pulling amps at that time.
You will trip the breaker though if the lights and dryer happen to overlap.
A dedicated circuit for your controller would be best if feasible.

 

[Snow Crash]

If I didn't want to call an electrician I would use a Plug-n-Play light controller with independent timing. Something like a Helios 9 would be affordable enough. You will be constantly plugging and unplugging to use your dryer, but the timer runs on a different 120v circuit so you won't lose the schedule (as long as the Helios is plugged back in).

If you don't want to be messing with that, call an electrician, tell him what you need and let him toss you a quote.

 

[ApolloAK]

If you hard wire the light feed to the dryer junction box the timer will keep its power with the lights off and the dryer on since it is not pulling amps at that time.
You will trip the breaker though if the lights and dryer happen to overlap.
A dedicated circuit for your controller would be best if feasible.

Yep he needs a dedicated circuit. Anything else would be a waste

 

[FlowerFarmer]

I'm not sure what the current status is of dx hydro fulfilling orders, but he had a panel he dubbed the "Power Thief".

Allows the dryer to be available while the lights are off.
http://www.dxsoundco.com

I can't seem to link to the pic, but try here
http://www.dxsoundco.com/small THIEF.JPG


I've used a simple 4 light 240v relay wired to a dryer cord. I simply unplugged it and plugged in the dryer during a dark cycle when I needed to use it. Alternatively if you've got room in the panel just add another 30a 240v circuit to a relay box and leave the dryer alone.

 

[acridlab]

^^^I highly recommend dx gear,, great people, and customer service

 

[Jhhnn]

Hello everyone,
I am trying to build a 4x 220v outlet from a 30amp dryer output. Hopefully with an added feature that would keep power to a timer/timers when the dryer is used.

So, the lights would be on say, 8pm to 8am. The dryer would then need to be available for use during the lights off cycle. Is there a way to do this while keeping the dryer plugged in? Is there a way to do this while maintaining power to the light timers? Additionally, it is my understanding that 1x 1000w = 4.5A. Is 4000w or 18A the max load I could place on a 30A breaker?

What you want is entirely do-able if you have the technical know how. It's simpler if you have a 120v source available to use as a control circuit for a DPDT power relay, like this-

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Relays_-z-_Timers/Electro-Mechanical_Relays/Power_Relays,_Open-Style,_40A_%28AD-PR40_Series%29/AD-PR40-2C-120A

You'll need appropriate electrical boxes & hardware as well. Using a standard dryer pigtail (cord) bring the two legs of the 240v circuit to the center contact of the relay. Wire the normally closed side to another dryer receptacle. Wire the normally open side to your lighting receptacles via a circuit breaker panel. Use a separate 120v feed to run a 120v timer to energize the coil of the relay. Run 120v accessories on that feed, before or after the timer, depending- fans, etc. When the lights are on, the dryer won't work. You need the circuit breaker panel to protect the wiring & hardware on the lights side of it all. You can do it using a 240v timer & power relay, but you need to use another circuit breaker to protect the timer & associated wiring. 30A is much too big.

If you don't understand that get an electrician to wire it up for you on a panel. They can do it at the shop, making it plug & play at your end. DX gear has probably done it many times.

Edit- intermatic T 101 is an appropriate timer. simple & bulletproof.

 

[Zarthustra]

Thank you very much, your guys post was more than helpful.