Elictrical question about my light housing

Kart0oN

Active Member
Well this is the housing i have built to put in my grow box i have used weatherproof rubber light sockets from home depot, as of right now the wiring i have is 16g but im going to swap it out to 14g wiring as that is the most common for lighting is my understanding but my overall question is will it work? the wires shouldn't get hot i dont think or will they? as long as everything can handle the amps my understanding is that they wont... i got 4x 55w cfls going in it 55w is the actual wattage not the incandescent equal, so 4x55 = 220w... 220/120 = 1.8amps which is low so im pretty sure its all gravy but i would like some input thanks :leaf:
ps- the extension cord is rated @ 400w so it should cover it
IMAG0178.jpgIMAG0175.jpgIMAG0174.jpgIMAG0177.jpgIMAG0176.jpg
 

WeedChip

Active Member
I did a prettty similar thing with 2 bulbs. Mine works fine and the way you wired yours looks right to me.

How have you connected up the wires there? Looks like those crimp connectors to me, I used them once and after a bit of use (inside a computer) they fell apart. If you know they're good and secure though should be all right.
 

Kart0oN

Active Member
i used wire nuts to connect the wires then electrical taped over them and zip tied the bottom so the tape stays on and keeps the wires nice a snug so they shouldn't move my only real concern is the housing is made of wood and i dont want the wires to heat up and cause a fir ya know? lol thanks for the input though :leaf:
 

WeedChip

Active Member
Mine is also made of wood, and when we build houses we attach all the wires to wood along the walls. The back plate of the fuse box is normally wood too. So I wouldn't worry about that. If you mean a fir as in dry rot, then that shouldn't happen so long as your keeping your room well ventilated.
 

mrmadcow

Well-Known Member
Looks ok. if memory serves,16 gauge will be fine as long as you keep the draw under 700 watts & the cord shorter than 20 feet
 

Kart0oN

Active Member
yea i thought so but i upgraded to 14g just today i rewired everything, but all thats going in is 4 55w cfls and actual watts not incondescent equals so ur lookin at 220w the extension cord i have though is 16g and it will be only about 3 feet long after i chop it down because i bought it @ 8ft i appreciate everyones input thanks :leaf:
 
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