Help Wiring My New Space?

[medgrowr02]

I just realized that the two breakers are wired together, not separately. So between the two, they are only using one 12 gauge black wire, a ground and a white wire.

Don't I need a 40A wire to do something like that? OR can I still run 2 separate 12-2 wires.

 

[Red Reign]

The black wire and the white wire tied to the breaker are both 'hots'. Technically, the end of the white wire should have been wrapped with black tape, to avoid confusion. The pump motor doesn't use a neutral.

So go ahead and run your two 12-2, or single 12-3 (2 hots) romex.

Connect the black wires (or black and red if using the 12-3) to the breaker. The white wire/wires to the neutral bar, and the ground/grounds to the ground bar.

Looks like you have a combo neutral/ground bar.

My eyes aren't what they used to be, but it sure looks like there are a few code violations in that panel.

1. The breaker in the lower left corner is 40 AMP. The wire is much smaller than the required 8 AWG. It doesn't look burnt, so I doubt it's connected to a 40 amp load. I would find out what it is supplying and install the proper breaker. Looks like it is 14 AWG (15 amp) or 12 AWG (20 amp). Looks like the white wire out of that same 14-3 (or 12-3) is tied to that 50 amp breaker in top right corner. If so, it shouldn't be.

2. The black and white wires at the top are tied directly into the main lugs. They should be tied into a breaker. I would disconnect them, and hope they aren't needed any more. If they are still needed, you should put them on the proper rated breaker.

3. You should get some plastic bushings to snap in those knock outs.

It would be a good idea to have the whole electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician. You need to keep you and yours safe, and you don't want an unrelated fire bringing attention to your grow.

At the bare minimum, get an electrical book from Home Depot and do it youself.

Good luck.

 

[wafflehouselove]

if you read the first page in my post i already showed you what to do that will simplify your life, get a 10-3 wire. Don't get a 12 you might want to add something later on like a AC or water chiller. I just checked the depot today they have 10-3 there so you'll need 10-3, 1 2pole 30amp breaker, 1 single pole 30amp breaker, and whatever 240v and 120v recepticle you need, and if you want to control everything get a those timers that is rated for 240v. GL

 

[medgrowr02]

Yeah guys, after debating for a while. I went ahead and wired it up, although it's not exactly what I wanted, it's good enough for my first few operations down there. Unfortunately, the panel box is FULL of code violations, the house probably hasn't has a licensed electrician in it in 20+ years.

I ran a 12-2 wire (Romex), into the basement using a fishtape from the main panel. Turned out to be a total pain in the ass, the panel box is set in a room that was added on after the original house was built. So getting it through the floor was not an easy task at all, with or without a fishtape.

Long story short, I wired up one 20A breaker with 12-2 and connected one receptacle. Leaving with with about 20A of power to work with, which is more then enough for this grow and probably the next. I don't think I'll be in the same place for the third grow, so 20A should work.

I'm running a heavy duty 20A receptacle, 12-2 and a 20A breaker. No bullshit, for my first wiring job, it turned out damn good. I thought I was going to die, or ruin something... but I didn't, and the Hoem Depot book seriously saved me.

I love learning how to do shit like this, next time I wire a space, I'll make sure to have room for like 8-10 600's and maybe even 2x 1k vertical MH bulbs too. I'll wire for 100A or something, but for now. I'm happy.

Thanks for all the help IC, means the world. I'll keep you updated over the next week and let you see the beauty unfold, I'm only running 1000 watts, but the space is confined, and perfect for 1000 watts.

Strain is the Widow, stinky Widow. So stay tuned.

Where can I find cheap Hydrofarm cool tubes?

Grow Grow On

 

[BonsaiBud]

The cheapest cool tubes are at Hobby Lobby. They are just thin, clear glass from some place in Mexico. You have to do some handy DIY work on them, but they only run about $5/each or perhaps $7 or $8 for the large size. I use neophrene garage door gasket to pad the hose clamp and the iron strap lamp socket mount. What is the fun in getting something pre-made? Well, DIY reflectors are a huge pain. The material is expensive; shipping it is expensive. You can always use mirrors, but you will need to find a stained-glass shop for the joining strips and it is a ton of work with tons of trips to all sorts of stores for lots of little parts.

As for your wiring: if you don't have a multimeter, I highly recommend you get one. It lets you test for lives and neutrals and ground continuity. I like my annalog meter from Radio Shack. If you want to try running thicker wire, try stranded as it is much more flexible.

Every med grow needs more Satori. It is slow and appears to be lacking in trichromes, but don't let that fool you. The buds are mostly water and once dry, give a wonderful, clear high with no heart-racing gitters.

 

[Guest]

Very interesting!
Congrats on getting things together medgrowr02.

Update us when you get up & running!

...I bet you could fix a few other things in that box now that you have the experience...and the book...
If you do, please take pics and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for sharing!