Need some advice on electricity for the new 10x12 room

For the size of that room I would say upgrade the main panel in the house. You can then have a sub panel dropped into the basement from a 100amp breaker in the main box (100amps should be sufficient. You can bump it up if need be). Once you have that sub panel in, you have the ability to drop plugs throughout your basement wherever you like. Bit of conduit and some time, you can have the entire place wired up perfect. When you start looking for timers and whatnot, use water heater timers for your ballasts as they are 240vac and cheap.

Thanks a bunch dude. I don't really know a whole lot when it comes to the electrical stuff. Really helps that I can turn to RIU


+Rep for the advice

no problem man. feel free to drop me pm's with questions. been a electrician for some time now so always willing to help as best i can.

what state are you in? You can go to alot of hydro stores and someone there usually has an electrician that will hook up exactly what you need, before you get going.

I would update to a 200amp main,if there is not one.Is the house all electric water heater,dryer,stove,HVAC,etc ,etc? I own a HVAC business so might could help.Welcome to RIU.You probly have a 100amp now unless its a large home,we dont have basements here in Texas atleast where i live anyway.

Originally Posted by rocky6106

what state are you in? You can go to alot of hydro stores and someone there usually has an electrician that will hook up exactly what you need, before you get going.

NY. The problem with the hydro stores around here is that everything is through the roof in terms of their pricing. I try to stay away from any of the local stores and usually head to PA when I need my supplies. I haven't really developed any favorable relationships with the local places, and the guys around here are really uptight when it comes to discussing the actual growing. Even mentioning that I would need electrical upgrades to run my systems would have them cautious about what advice they're giving. It's a rather uncomfortable situation where everyone sort of keeps to themselves.

Originally Posted by SOMEBEECH

I would update to a 200amp main,if there is not one.Is the house all electric water heater,dryer,stove,HVAC,etc ,etc? I own a HVAC business so might could help.Welcome to RIU.You probly have a 100amp now unless its a large home,we dont have basements here in Texas atleast where i live anyway.

Thanks man. It looks like I am gonna update the current panel to a 200amp, and have 100amps devoted to the basement (basement also houses the washer/dryer/ and a secondary kitchen area consisting of a stove and some shit like that)

Most of the house runs on electricity, but the stoves are gas powered (as well as the hot water tank, I believe). So, will the house itself use a lot of power? Not necessarily, it's only myself and my girlfriend moving in. But, it's safe to say we use our fair share, and will definitely need at least 100 amps devoted to the rest of the house. I think splitting the 200 amps half in half (half for the house, half for the grow) should provide me with enough electricity.

Oh ok, yea. Sounds shady. You need to head west man. But if you find a store you get friendly with or maybe the owner who isnt looking to steal from you knowing what you need the electrician for, maybe ask if they know a good electrician. Thats how I found mine and he has done tons of electrical work for setups, just have them in before you are having the set up. Or tell your regular electrician you are getting a man cave down there with a hot tub and big tv and all that shit that will need bigger amps