Running 4 x 1000w and 18kbtu ac from 240V 30A dryer plug?

[fisher15]

Title pretty much says it all. Its a 240V window AC rated at 8.3-7.6A. First, can the 30A dryer breaker even handle the ~26A the ac + lights would draw? If so, whats the best way to run this? I also wanted to use a Sentinel CHHC-1 to control the AC. Is that even possible with my 240V AC? Grow is in a 12'x8' sealed room in the garage. Fans and the controller/co2 will be run off the 15 amp 120's.

Whaddya think?

 

[RockyMountainHi]

Increase your fire insurance

 

[Guest]

I think 80% of the breaker. No more. The breaker ratings and ratings on the wire are at 100ft. You can get away with a little more amperage if the distance to the box is considerably shorter. Do not scrimp on wire, buy what you need.

 

[fisher15]

Sounds good. I'm going to run the AC off it's own 15A 220, and the lights on the 30A dryer breaker.

 

[JACKtheREFFER]

if you have the cash ..C.A.P. makes a lighting controler with the timer built in that can handle 4 x 1000 watters off the 30 amp dryer plug for around 200 bucks

 

[fisher15]

JTR- I was looking at that one, and another made by Sentinel thats about the same. So I'd need to wire it myself, can I make a 30A 220V extention cord from home depot? I've got about 30ft from the dryer plug to my room.

 

[Guest]

if you have the cash ..C.A.P. makes a lighting controler with the timer built in that can handle 4 x 1000 watters off the 30 amp dryer plug for around 200 bucks

Dude! That's crazy. For $40 you can run a 220 line anywhere you want, breaker, wire, receptacle. Another $35 for a decent 220v timer and you're set.

 

[Guest]

Well, uh, maybe a bit more expensive for more than 25 ft wire, and maybe a bit more $ for a timer to handle the 4K...... meh.

 

[JACKtheREFFER]

yes you have to wire it your self it comes with detailed picture instructions..i bought just a replacement dryer cord to run mine but with proper gauge wire and proper plugs i dont see why 30 ft would be a problem
my dryer plug is about 12 ft from the flower room


even steven --- yes you are right it is a bit expensive you can run circuts for a bit cheaper , but if you have only limited electrical ability this is a acceptable alternative ..also for me im a renter so i want as little damage to the house as possible

 

[Guest]

even steven --- yes you are right it is a bit expensive you can run circuts for a bit cheaper , but if you have only limited electrical ability this is a acceptable alternative ..also for me im a renter so i want as little damage to the house as possible

It's all good. :friends:

 

[Guest]

As long as you do things properly fire hazards should not be a problem.

First of all, 1k lights at 240v only draw 4.16 amps, so you could run your 4 lights including the 80/20 rule mentioned earlier on a 20 amp circuit if wanted. Unfortunately you have a 240v ac already or id suggest THIS if you didnt want to wire anything yourself, which could run your lights, plus 10 amps of accessories at 120v. However, it is very easy and cheap to do it yourself just make sure you use the proper gauge wire for each circuit you plan to make, make be sure to turn off the MAIN power switch in your breaker box before you go working in there.

 

[FirstTracks]

As long as you do things properly fire hazards should not be a problem.

First of all, 1k lights at 240v only draw 4.16 amps, so you could run your 4 lights including the 80/20 rule mentioned earlier on a 20 amp circuit if wanted. Unfortunately you have a 240v ac already or id suggest THIS if you didnt want to wire anything yourself, which could run your lights, plus 10 amps of accessories at 120v. However, it is very easy and cheap to do it yourself just make sure you use the proper gauge wire for each circuit you plan to make, make be sure to turn off the MAIN power switch in your breaker box before you go working in there.

apologies if i'm wrong.........but isn't 4.6 and not 4.16 what the average 1k runs at 240v? you need to budget for startup power too unless you're starting ballasts in sequence with adequate time spaceing between each start. its not a problem either way on 30A at 240v, but IMVHO, 20A at 240v would be dangerous with 4-1ks.

not that the point matters in this case, and maybe im the ass for having the wrong number....

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Dude! That's crazy. For $40 you can run a 220 line anywhere you want, breaker, wire, receptacle. Another $35 for a decent 220v timer and you're set.

hey man, for some people we prefer a piece of well made equipment.
not everyone is a DIY, there is somthing to be said for the ease of use on that cap controller, unwrap the package and plug it in, thats worth the cash for some. and in the whole perspective its not that bad, really.
im about ready to drop a good 3 or 4 bills on a 8 light controller/trigger box.


on the dry plug tip, id run with digital ballasts if u can its a close call on the amps, the a/c says it pulls that but when the compressor kicks on and off the amp spike can be tripple that.

 

[JACKtheREFFER]

hey man, for some people we prefer a piece of well made equipment.
not everyone is a DIY, there is somthing to be said for the ease of use on that cap controller, t.

that was my point , thanks hippy for making my thoughts a little more coherent \

 

[FirstTracks]

http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp

How to Build a Four Light Grow Light Controller for Less Than $80


anybody use this tutorial/have any comments on whether it is safe or not?

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp

How to Build a Four Light Grow Light Controller for Less Than $80


anybody use this tutorial/have any comments on whether it is safe or not?

your assuming people have the 30$ drill, 20$ pliers and snips. the time to go get the shit, and time to build this thing.noty to mention the dextarity to make it all work.
just dont smoke and make it otherwise u might connect the white to the black.

 

[RockyMountainHi]

your assuming people have the 30$ drill, 20$ pliers and snips. the time to go get the shit, and time to build this thing.noty to mention the dextarity to make it all work.
just dont smoke and make it otherwise u might connect the white to the black.

Digi - your assuming everybody is a nit-wit and has no friends. (edit - I see your point - hey Rick, ol buddy,, - can I borrow your wazzit to build a grow room - is sure to raise a few eyebrows.)

Some peeps can easily grasp the basics, some can't and most of us know which group we are comfertable hanging out in. That said - and with the idea that we are all teachers AND students - each and every one,,,, if somebody wanted to learn how,,, there's probaly somebody else willing to teach them.


- I owe a large debt to several paitent and nourchering peeps that convinced me all my previous growing failures were in the past. And now when I am planing to upgrade - I can learn that also.

I can do the black white green thing - it's shit like gauge and type of wire, I have about 70 feet of nice romex that isn't "code" to run inside conduit. - Now I know and when I tackel the job - it will meet specs and allow for deep, restfull sleep. - and the scrubber will save me $15 a month in air freshners and a heart attack every time there is a knock at the front door. (Seriously)

Constructing a grow area can range from a converted closet or chest to a full basement - and beyond - and anywhere in between. I started with 8, 40w Floro bulbs. - Simpler days how sweet they were.

I figgure I need 30 amps 220 circut to run 2000W hps and a new generation 25000 BTU AC and 20 amps of 110 for 400W MH, 360W floro, all the pumps, timers, fans and light mover.

I should have dome it years ago.

Famous last words

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Digi - your assuming everybody is a nit-wit and has no friends. (edit - I see your point - hey Rick, ol buddy,, - can I borrow your wazzit to build a grow room - is sure to raise a few eyebrows.)

Some peeps can easily grasp the basics, some can't and most of us know which group we are comfertable hanging out in. That said - and with the idea that we are all teachers AND students - each and every one,,,, if somebody wanted to learn how,,, there's probaly somebody else willing to teach them.


- I owe a large debt to several paitent and nourchering peeps that convinced me all my previous growing failures were in the past. And now when I am planing to upgrade - I can learn that also.

I can do the black white green thing - it's shit like gauge and type of wire, I have about 70 feet of nice romex that isn't "code" to run inside conduit. - Now I know and when I tackel the job - it will meet specs and allow for deep, restfull sleep. - and the scrubber will save me $15 a month in air freshners and a heart attack every time there is a knock at the front door. (Seriously)

Constructing a grow area can range from a converted closet or chest to a full basement - and beyond - and anywhere in between. I started with 8, 40w Floro bulbs. - Simpler days how sweet they were.

I figgure I need 30 amps 220 circut to run 2000W hps and a new generation 25000 BTU AC and 20 amps of 110 for 400W MH, 360W floro, all the pumps, timers, fans and light mover.

I should have dome it years ago.

Famous last words

i still think he should run digitals to save power. you learn alot growing, if u want to. i see people just walk through life with there blinders on, with the same slack-jawed look, and when you say somthing to them thinking they were PAYING ATTENTION they say, "uhhh what? sorry i didnt here you, what?" you picking up what im throwing down? ok good, then your a DIY. not everyone can pick things up, thats all im saying. for the people who just went, "wait what?" go buy a shiny box.

 

[Guest]

apologies if i'm wrong.........but isn't 4.6 and not 4.16 what the average 1k runs at 240v? you need to budget for startup power too unless you're starting ballasts in sequence with adequate time spaceing between each start. its not a problem either way on 30A at 240v, but IMVHO, 20A at 240v would be dangerous with 4-1ks.

not that the point matters in this case, and maybe im the ass for having the wrong number....

Way i figured it, watts/volts=amps...1000/240=4.16 repeating, multiply that by 4 and you have 16.6 repeating, leaving plenty of overage space for startup and the 20% rule. Digital ballasts might offer less of a startup spike if you are really concerned about it. I dont think they would wire up a UL certified controller box and sell it to you knowing it cant handle what they say it can. I personally would just wire it myself so i could have as many recepticals, in what ever location at what ever voltages I want.

 

[fisher15]

Thanks for all the help guys. Still no pro, but I've learned a lot setting this up. DIGITALHIPPY, I wanted to swap the 1000's out for digi 600's this run but it'll have to wait till the next. I decided to pick up the Sentinel HPH-8 controller, as it was 25% off at my hydro shop. Wired it to my 30A dryer outlet with 10 gauge romex. I have 3 1000's and my AC running off this. The fourth light will be run 120, along with accessories.