Electrical Ques. If I can help someone I will...

E

Ebil

Active Member
Well, I got to work and tore apart an old computer that has been sitting out back for over 2 years, I'm surprised the fans even work!

I tore out two fans, and got a little help from my dad with wiring one fan into one cell phone charger. All of them happened to be 12 volts..

Careful though, those babies run FAST! Nicked my finger pretty bad :(

Attached pictures, if your interested in wiring two up to one charger. They run at the same speed.
 

Attachments

ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
I Just want to post about the argument between the thread OP, and User friendly.

He is talking about digital ballasts... they are something new and special.

The only thing you need to convert a digital ballast from 120v to 240 or vice versa is the manufacturers 240 volt or 120volt power cord, you just swap it out.. that simple...

90% of digis have a microprossers (sorry cant spell) that knows when the power has been switched...

but you still need the different power cord sold by the manufacturer....

Check it out on most any website that sells digi ballast...

or check out lumatek.com

it is all described there, and no Opening the case to resolder anything...

GG
 
kushmonster

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
BigBudBalls said:
Scarey! I've SO many items that are 120/240 compatible by just plugging them in. Others have a switch. A multi-tap transformer is a *rather* common item.

I have seen *many* multi tap transformers that can handle the voltages he stated. Even ones that can convert Delta to Wye on trip phase.

But since UF says it, it must be true. An item can *only* work on one voltage. No chance of it working on a different with a slight configuration change. (so multi-tap transformers now, poof!!, disappear from the face of the earth.)
Click to expand...
LMAO!!!:mrgreen:
 
kushmonster

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
ganjagoddess said:
I Just want to post about the argument between the thread OP, and User friendly.

He is talking about digital ballasts... they are something new and special.

The only thing you need to convert a digital ballast from 120v to 240 or vice versa is the manufacturers 240 volt or 120volt power cord, you just swap it out.. that simple...

90% of digis have a microprossers (sorry cant spell) that knows when the power has been switched...

but you still need the different power cord sold by the manufacturer....

Check it out on most any website that sells digi ballast...

or check out lumatek.com

it is all described there, and no Opening the case to resolder anything...

GG
Click to expand...

Thks GG for clearing the air:peace:
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
No prob Kushmonster... I like how you made this thread to help others, very noble of you.

I was wondering kM could you "help", "walk-me through", adding two 20 amps fuses to power outlets in my house... I am a little worried there is something Im gonna miss....

Like can I just setup the outlet (GFCI) with appropiate guage wire (20 amp) run that through the basement floor to the main circut breaker ( I HAVE ROOM in there for both 20 amps)then dissconnect the main breaker (2X 200AMPS) hook the wires for my new outlet into two new 20 amp breakers then Break out two new spaces on the outside board, unscrew the cover and slot them into place...

Turn back on main breaker switches...

DO I need to use conduit?
What is the CODE for stapling the wire every X inches?
Any reccomendations?

Oh and Dressing wires??? Confused as to what that really means, all I can gather is you loop em around the Inside of the box once.?

THanks
 
headbandrocker

headbandrocker

Well-Known Member
Hello,I have a question for you might be able to help me figure it out.I am running 3 1k lights all 12ov and had my comcast cable {runs by my panel} melt.I was told i have 32o amp service and the cable guy came out and said somthing to the effect of the power in the house jumped onto the cable line,and that cable cannot handle that much electricity so it melted.I noticed that my lights will flicker in the house in general,like my kitchen lights go brighter when i run the microwave,orlights dim when i run the vaccume.cable guy told me to call pg&e and have them come check the drop etc,but i wanted to ask a grow friendly electrician first,the house is only 2o yrs old.Any advice/help would be arsome,thanks hb
 
BigBudBalls

BigBudBalls

Well-Known Member
headbandrocker said:
Hello,I have a question for you might be able to help me figure it out.I am running 3 1k lights all 12ov and had my comcast cable {runs by my panel} melt.I was told i have 32o amp service and the cable guy came out and said somthing to the effect of the power in the house jumped onto the cable line,and that cable cannot handle that much electricity so it melted.I noticed that my lights will flicker in the house in general,like my kitchen lights go brighter when i run the microwave,orlights dim when i run the vaccume.cable guy told me to call pg&e and have them come check the drop etc,but i wanted to ask a grow friendly electrician first,the house is only 2o yrs old.Any advice/help would be arsome,thanks hb
Click to expand...

You can get some induction. Sounds a bit fishy to me. Typically data (like cable tv) should be run perpendicular to the power lines, never along side.

320amp service? dang.
 
kushmonster

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
ganjagoddess said:
No prob Kushmonster... I like how you made this thread to help others, very noble of you.

I was wondering kM could you "help", "walk-me through", adding two 20 amps fuses to power outlets in my house... I am a little worried there is something Im gonna miss....

Like can I just setup the outlet (GFCI) with appropiate guage wire (20 amp) run that through the basement floor to the main circut breaker ( I HAVE ROOM in there for both 20 amps)then dissconnect the main breaker (2X 200AMPS) hook the wires for my new outlet into two new 20 amp breakers then Break out two new spaces on the outside board, unscrew the cover and slot them into place...

Turn back on main breaker switches...

DO I need to use conduit?
What is the CODE for stapling the wire every X inches?
Any reccomendations?

Oh and Dressing wires??? Confused as to what that really means, all I can gather is you loop em around the Inside of the box once.?

THanks
Click to expand...
OK u want to add 2 new gfi recepticales to exsisting electrical boxes??, or run new conduit/romex back to your main panel, when you say running conduit, thats new construction tearing holes in the walls your opening up a can of worms. If you have existing recepticals in the room you can pull an extra line in each box. Usually houses have 14awg solid wire but depending on where you are US? Canada? Euro? North US where cold you have to run wire through 1/2 in EMT conduit. South US, warmer weather it's Romex wire. I need you to be more specific, How close to the breaker box are you? is the receptical you want to use tied into anything else ie. another light, outlet ect.:peace:
 
kushmonster

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
headbandrocker said:
Hello,I have a question for you might be able to help me figure it out.I am running 3 1k lights all 12ov and had my comcast cable {runs by my panel} melt.I was told i have 32o amp service and the cable guy came out and said somthing to the effect of the power in the house jumped onto the cable line,and that cable cannot handle that much electricity so it melted.I noticed that my lights will flicker in the house in general,like my kitchen lights go brighter when i run the microwave,orlights dim when i run the vaccume.cable guy told me to call pg&e and have them come check the drop etc,but i wanted to ask a grow friendly electrician first,the house is only 2o yrs old.Any advice/help would be arsome,thanks hb
Click to expand...
Cant understand how that would even be possible with the cable, that has nothing to do with your main panel.... plus its a digital communication cable, im baffled about that one!! as far as lights going dim when certain appliances are on is because there are to many things on that circuit, (outlets, lights ) and your getting like a surge of power, yeah those kinda things should absolutely not be happening to a 2 year old house,!! please call someone to have that checked immediately before something else happens
 
4

420EVERYDAY

Well-Known Member
electrical ballasts just lights youre lamps full power faster it does save you electricity plus usa gets billed by killowatts not voltage
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
kushmonster said:
OK u want to add 2 new gfi recepticales to exsisting electrical boxes??, or run new conduit/romex back to your main panel, when you say running conduit, thats new construction tearing holes in the walls your opening up a can of worms. If you have existing recepticals in the room you can pull an extra line in each box. Usually houses have 14awg solid wire but depending on where you are US? Canada? Euro? North US where cold you have to run wire through 1/2 in EMT conduit. South US, warmer weather it's Romex wire. I need you to be more specific, How close to the breaker box are you? is the receptical you want to use tied into anything else ie. another light, outlet ect.:peace:
Click to expand...
Let me clarify big time...

I have no outlets in my basement at all.

I want to add two new GFCI outlets to my basement specifically for my grow

My main breaker is outside the house.

I am running three 1000 watt lights plus accesories.

I want each outlet to be rated for 20 amps.

I have space for two 20 amp BREAKERS in the main box (sorry I said fuses in the first post)

Is it as simple as 20 amps breaker to 20 amp wire into basement to GFCI outlet?
 
kushmonster

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
ganjagoddess said:
Let me clarify big time...

I have no outlets in my basement at all.

I want to add two new GFCI outlets to my basement specifically for my grow

My main breaker is outside the house.

I am running three 1000 watt lights plus accesories.

I want each outlet to be rated for 20 amps.

I have space for two 20 amp BREAKERS in the main box (sorry I said fuses in the first post)

Is it as simple as 20 amps breaker to 20 amp wire into basement to GFCI outlet?
Click to expand...
Yes you would have to run 20 amp rated wire which is 14awg or 12awg, imo I would go 12,
 
Pete Moss

Pete Moss

Active Member
14g wire is rated at 15amps--12g is definitely better but realistically you can only run one 1000w fixture on a 20amp circuit...one 1k fixture will draw somewhere south of 10amps at 120v so 2 would be in the 18amp range which would push a 20amp breaker past its 80% rating, pushing it for sure. A better way to go would be to run a single 12g home run for each 1k fixture or run 2 10g(30amp rated=30amp breakers) circuits. If you do want run the 3 12g circuits but you only have 2 spaces in your panel you might be able to get twin breakers where 2 breakers fit in the space of one...personally I like the 10g/30amp setup with cr20 receps instead of the standard 15a receps..ya just can't be too safe with this stuff, IMHO.
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Ya 3 1000 watt lights maybe plan to go to four, so 30 ampers it is then huh.

I will plug two into one and one and all the rest of stuff(ventilation, ect) into the other.

But What is a cr20 receps, I see it has a little tEE on it, but will this 125volt rated receptecle allow me to still plug in a standard power cord..?

Thank so much for helping, oh and at 30 amps what AWG wire to use?
 
Pete Moss

Pete Moss

Active Member
Hi GG, the cr20 receps are just a heavier duty receptacle, still rated for 125v, just rated for 20amps instead of 15...costs a little bit more but you get what you pay for I guess...you can still plug in any standard power cord. At 30 amps you have to run 10g wire...with copper prices being what they are now, this will be quite a bit more expensive than the 12g but well worth it I think...it's also a bit harder to work with...I also advise NOT using the push in connections on the receps but side-wiring with the screws, making sure you wrap the wire in a clockwise rotation so that when you tighten the screw it isn't trying to loosen the wire. Sorry for rambling on, is that too much information? Just want everybody to be safe.
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Thanks Pete Moss, Ya that was really helpful!!

one other ? for you guys,

Off of each of my 30 amp breakers I have to wire two 20 amp receps right.

Since the receps are only wired for 20 right?

thanks for your help
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
ganjagoddess said:
I Just want to post about the argument between the thread OP, and User friendly.

He is talking about digital ballasts... they are something new and special.

The only thing you need to convert a digital ballast from 120v to 240 or vice versa is the manufacturers 240 volt or 120volt power cord, you just swap it out.. that simple...

90% of digis have a microprossers (sorry cant spell) that knows when the power has been switched...

but you still need the different power cord sold by the manufacturer....

Check it out on most any website that sells digi ballast...

or check out lumatek.com

it is all described there, and no Opening the case to resolder anything...

GG
Click to expand...
I don't understand lumatek ballasts are single voltage 120 OR 240 for better performance.
Look here.
Lumatek Digital Ballastss
 
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