Experienced Electrician! Here to Answer Any and All Growroom Electrical Questions

Okay. I looked through 1/2 of the post and could not find someone who asked my question.

"can you buy a 110v to 220v step-up box instead of running new wires? I have 2 1000Watt HPS but a butt load of other stuff and my breaker like most is rated at 15 amps. My Digital ballast can run both 110v and 220v. So I just wanted to buy a step up transformer I can plug into my rooms 110v outlets and plug the 2 1000 watt lights into the step-up box that can handle 2000 watt. I know 220 cuts your amps down quite a bit so wondering if this would work so I can use the same 15amp circuit.

Here is the link to the step up I am referring too.

http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.htmlhttp://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.html

Wire nuts with electrical tape over them. Wrap the tape around the nut in the direction that will keep it tight. If you are planning to do that to just make one longer cord you should be ok.

DuckAttack said:

Here is the link to the step up I am referring too.

http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.htmlhttp://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.html

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Quote from the page you linked to:

"Note: We do not recommend this voltage converter to use with hair products like hair dryers, blowers, curling irons, hair straightners. Also this converter is not good for use with items with heating elements such as coffeemakers, espresso/capuccino makers, percolators, heating pads, toasters, toaster ovens, rice cookers, tea kettles, hot plates, cloth irons, steamers etc.

Note: This transformer does not work for American 220 volt items like dryer, air conditioner, tanning bed to operate from standard 110 volt. "

Sounds to me like HID lighting is going to be a bad idea there...

Allright, thanks for the advice Karloff. Do you think the savings in electricity is worth it to run a 400-600 watt light?

Karloff said:

If your trying to cover the exposed splices use wire nuts but before you splice them tie the wires into a knot to keep them from being pulled apart should you snag them on something, but hot glue isn't a good Idea.

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Ok thanks, ill do that from now on. Can you tell me why hot glue isn't a good idea?

mavs215 said:

Allright, thanks for the advice Karloff. Do you think the savings in electricity is worth it to run a 400-600 watt light?

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The amount of light you need will be based upon the number of plants your growing example if your only going to grow 1 or 2 plants you can get away with a 150 watt HPS but if your going to grow 4-6 plants you would probably want to step up to a 400 watt 6 plants and up 600 watt etc.
Without knowing the paticulars of your grow that would be my advice on a light.

abeezy said:

Ok thanks, ill do that from now on. Can you tell me why hot glue isn't a good idea?

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Generally speaking hot glue isn't a recognized insulator, there are insulators that are applied in a similar fashion in an industrial application and even rosins that can be mixed and used to insulate as well as make water tight, but that would be cost prohibitive.
While I don't think that there is any conductive material in the glue, and while it may not heat to a point of melting during use after it's applied it could soften causing problems (movement of the spliced wires) I wouldn't do it but it is an intersting Idea I would stick with tried and true methods.

How can i use my 220 outlets?Brother im asking cause i need more light.Co medicanal grow

DuckAttack said:

Here is the link to the step up I am referring too.

http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.htmlhttp://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog6_0.html

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I wouldn't use it without seeing the unit and reading its name plate.
But if I were to use something like this I would want to oversize it and get one that is about three times the rated load of my lights and a heavt duty model given that it will have to run for 16 hours a day every day during veg. and 12 hours a day during Bloom every day if it dies so do your plants.
In the long run you might be better served to have an electrician come in and run a couple of circuits for you, I know these gadjets look like they're the answer but quite often they're not well made and usually fail, very few have the "UL" rating if any.
I looked at the link you left and didn't see the "UL" rating while it may not be a big deal to you it would be to your insurance co. if this transformer failed and started a fire they look for any reason to get out of paying a claim.
Good luck.

my ballasts are compatible with 220,plugs are different obviously,now how to tap into that circut,adapter plug?new cord?do they make a wall switch?I know i need an electican but in this world come on.saftey first

Hi bricktown, first of all this is an awesome thing you are doing for everyone here, thank you very much, I am setting up my first big grow room and I am not sure about electricity issues

I want to have a stadium setup, with 6 600 watt hps running down the middle, with ballasts, fans, timers and everything else I'm guessing the whole setup will run about 5000 watts, do you think that is a good estimate.

How do you recommend I satisfy these power needs, I've read about setting up a sub panel in the room and then running multiple circuits from that, is this hard/expensive to do. Would my house catch on fire if I tried to run all this from the wall sockets.

Thank you so much for any input from all the knowledgeable sources out there

I have a quick question that I hope one of you electrical folks can answer for me.

The wire for my central air conditioning unit runs right through my grow room. If possible I would like to install an outlet on to this wire. Do you think this is possible?

The breaker for the air conditioning is a 2 pole 20 amp breaker. Can I insert a standard outlet on to this wire? This is with the expectation that I will no longer be using the air conditioning unit. Basically I am trying to figure out if there is anything unique about a 2 pole 20 amp breaker compared to a single 20 amp breaker, is it still running a standard 110V or do you I need to install a 220V outlet? If so do you know anyone that makes a 40amp timer box that will convert the 220V to 110V?

Also outside by the air conditioning unit there is a two plug outlet. If need be I can run a plug into the house. Do you know how many amps I would get off this outlet?

Do you have any advise on the best way to do this? The best outlet to use? Will I have access to the full 40 amps (2 * 20 amps).

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Philo2 said:

I have a quick question that I hope one of you electrical folks can answer for me.

The wire for my central air conditioning unit runs right through my grow room. If possible I would like to install an outlet on to this wire. Do you think this is possible?

The breaker for the air conditioning is a 2 pole 20 amp breaker. Can I insert a standard outlet on to this wire? This is with the expectation that I will no longer be using the air conditioning unit. Basically I am trying to figure out if there is anything unique about a 2 pole 20 amp breaker compared to a single 20 amp breaker, is it still running a standard 110V?

Do you have any advise on the best way to do this? The best outlet to use? Will I have access to the full 40 amps (2 * 20 amps).

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

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i am setting up a 2600 k grow room or about 35 amps.the room wiil not handle that load,can someone tell me what kind of wire i need to run from the main breaker box to the growroom,and is 35 amps enough for 2600 watts plus fans and pumps and whatnot.what type of breaker do i need for the main box to hook the wire up?do i need to put a subpanel in the grow room,or something else.I CANNOT hire someone nor do i trust anyone to do the work for me,i have to do it myself,thats why i need some real technical support here guys!

Beautiful Set-up brotha.... True professional!

Very Nice Setup, I'm looking to do the same with running 6x600w hids with only 3x600w ballasts hooked up to a relay and a timer box, how do I get this accomplished, I'm in a basement can pull a whole new circuit from the panel and have it nice and tidely like yours, the problem I'm having is understanding contractor relays and timers and how to hook it all up.

I want to plug 2 400w hps , 1 425cfm inline fan , 1 oscillating fan to a power strip then in to 1 timer. what would be the amps of these? is it to much?

[FONT=&quot]I am in the process of planning my first grow in my new place and needed some help with the electrical aspect of things. My setup will consists of 4x600watts lights, I estimate 6-8 pumps, 2-8” vortex fans, 2 oscillating fans, around 250w of HO lighting, 10,000btu a/c, dehumidifier, c02, environment controller, timers, ect. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Anyways, this will be a basement grow and I need a way to bring power to my basement. I contacted a local electrician and we quoted me around $600 for materials and labor to install a sub panel in my basement. I told him that I wanted 40-50amps wired up in my sub panel and the distance I want the sub panel is about 60' from my main panel and 1 floor below. Does his estimate sounds about right, honestly sounded a little cheap to me. Was expecting it to be more $$$$.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Now my questions are as followed…[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]What do I tell him if he asked what I need the panel for? I was planning to say that I wanted to finish my basement at a later date or possibly add a second kitchen/living room or maybe a home theater room. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]I am planning to run (4)240 ballast but everything else will be 120v. How should I tell him to wire the panel up? What size breakers and how many of each. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Also, are there any certain brands or wire gauges I should ask for before the install? I want to make sure he's not cutting corners running cheap higher gauge wires.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks for all the help guys… can’t wait to get this up and running.[/FONT]

Mr.Karma said:

[FONT=&quot]I am in the process of planning my first grow in my new place and needed some help with the electrical aspect of things. My setup will consists of 4x600watts lights, I estimate 6-8 pumps, 2-8” vortex fans, 2 oscillating fans, around 250w of HO lighting, 10,000btu a/c, dehumidifier, c02, environment controller, timers, ect. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Anyways, this will be a basement grow and I need a way to bring power to my basement. I contacted a local electrician and we quoted me around $600 for materials and labor to install a sub panel in my basement. I told him that I wanted 40-50amps wired up in my sub panel and the distance I want the sub panel is about 60' from my main panel and 1 floor below. Does his estimate sounds about right, honestly sounded a little cheap to me. Was expecting it to be more $$$$.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Now my questions are as followed…[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]What do I tell him if he asked what I need the panel for? I was planning to say that I wanted to finish my basement at a later date or possibly add a second kitchen/living room or maybe a home theater room. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]I am planning to run (4)240 ballast but everything else will be 120v. How should I tell him to wire the panel up? What size breakers and how many of each. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Also, are there any certain brands or wire gauges I should ask for before the install? I want to make sure he's not cutting corners running cheap higher gauge wires.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks for all the help guys… can’t wait to get this up and running.[/FONT]

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As far as excuses go. Don't offer unless asked. But think high power hobbies, pottery, machine shop, etc. gauge is dictate by code But copper being the preferred conductor (aluminum is still OK in some areas, but I wouldn't touch it) Up-ing the gauge a size is never a bad thing either.

($600 sounds a bit light for T&L)

What I want to do is run two flowering rooms on the 12 hr. cycle using one ballast,how do you wire the relay switch to accomplish this ? Thank you in advance.