Electrical Question

I have three 400w metals halides (110 volt) wired together on a 20amp circuit all to theirselves. I am using one of those timers from home depot that cost about $40.00. If I have to add another 400 w light, it would need to be on a different circuit than the other three. My question is: could the 4th light be wired into the same timer or will I have to get a second one? It's not like I can just call an electrician. I can do a little home wiring but I'm no expert. b

Baglady said:

I have three 400w metals halides (110 volt) wired together on a 20amp circuit all to theirselves. I am using one of those timers from home depot that cost about $40.00. If I have to add another 400 w light, it would need to be on a different circuit than the other three. My question is: could the 4th light be wired into the same timer or will I have to get a second one? It's not like I can just call an electrician. I can do a little home wiring but I'm no expert. b

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You have the right idea, 4 -400 watt hid lights would be really pushing it especially if your tried to have them all witht the same start-up time on one circuit. Wiring a new circuit is as easy as 1, 2, 3, black, white, green. I recommend Wiring Simplefied, I have one of those rare 40th editions, just saw them at one of the big box stores for $5.95. I used the information n that book to install new 200 amp service and wire my area.
There are a couple of thread in this forum that electricians have started were you can ask more specific questions. DO you have any free space in your main breaker box? VV

I'm using a large bedroom in a mobile home. The breaker box is located in the bedroom and I do have room to add another breaker. I got to thinking after I asked this question last night. I'm sure I would be better off to put in a 15 amp breaker and add another light and timer on it. I'm thinking I'm going to need another light because I've got 4 plants that are 4 weeks into flowering, 12 of their clones that have been vegging for a month. I germinated 10 blueberries from Joey Weed, and all 10 of them are females. I figured I might get four females and that is what I was setting my room up for. Thanks for your response

how to determine load on a circut. this is done using ohms law voltsxamps=watts this will give you the max watts a circuit can handle to be on the safe side use 85% of the max watts.what this means a 110 circuit at 20 amps will handle 2200 watts .max. a 400 watt light will actually consume about 450 watts so add up all your ballast + fans pumps ect. to find your load. keep it at 85% of the 2200 watt max. and you should be ok.

I would recommend using that same 20 amp breaker. It does need 12 wire instead of 14 wire and heavier duty receptacles. Difference of maybe $5.00 to $10.00. VV