Old house, old wiring

[frizfrazjaz]

Hello RIU,
My house was built in 1920. The entire house was on an ungrounded loop. Two add on rooms have been built since. I run 3, 600 watt mh/hps at two separate tents.
The problem is I can’t power more than 1 light from any breaker.
How do you all consolidate your lights and electrical?
Am I kind of stuck in my predicament with the old wiring?
I realize I’ll need to consult an electrician. Just looking to downsize my electrical locations.

 

[WheresmyATF]

I too am having similar issues. I got 2 plug ins in the entire house i can use to power roughly 1000w of lights and fans. All going into one outlet atm. Worried about several things.

 

[Wunderwi]

I too am having similar issues. I got 2 plug ins in the entire house i can use to power roughly 1000w of lights and fans. All going into one outlet atm. Worried about several things.

Screw in Fuses or breakers?

 

[WheresmyATF]

Screw in Fuses or breakers?

Breaker, but shits so old. The vacuum flipped the breaker one day and i had a 15 min black out

 

[Wunderwi]

Breaker, but shits so old. The vacuum flipped the breaker one day and i had a 15 min black out

You would need to add circuits. No good way of getting around old wiring.

 

[frizfrazjaz]

Breaker, but shits so old. The vacuum flipped the breaker one day and i had a 15 min black out

Lol, my toaster tripped mine last summer.

 

[charface]

I had a buddy throw in two 20amp
Breakers and pulled new wire to the room.
I actually need more but will have to upgrade my whole service because
I can't add anymore breakers.

Not enough power is a bummer

 

[frizfrazjaz]

I had a buddy throw in two 20amp
Breakers and pulled new wire to the room.
I actually need more but will have to upgrade my whole service because
I can't add anymore breakers.

Not enough power is a bummer

I have one 20 amp that is labeled “spare”.

 

[charface]

I'm not familiar.
Is it just a spare replacement in case you burn one out or is it connected?

 

[frizfrazjaz]

I'm not familiar.
Is it just a spare replacement in case you burn one out or is it connected?

I suppose that would be a possibility. Or perhaps they just couldn’t find the what it was connected to.

 

[Wunderwi]

I have one 20 amp that is labeled “spare”.

Pull the cover. See if any wires go to that breaker. No wire. Free circuit.

 

[Bombattak]

If you are with breakers you good. Old wires can run lights no probs. Dont run it on 120v (single breaker) u must run it on 240v (double breaker) it drop the amperages consumptions by 50%. So 600w on 120v use 5 amps and on 240v it use 2.5 amps. So you have some way to set your lights:

-Use baseboard convector wires to connects your outlet.
-check if you got 100 or 200 amps capacity in your panel than put a single breaker of 50 amps to power another electric panel and from there pass wire to your grow room
-add an 40 amps double breakers to connect an oven outlet and connect it to a t104 panel and from there make some 240v and 120v outlets...

Dunno if u understand... Msg me for more info.

Peace

 

[frizfrazjaz]

If you are with breakers you good. Old wires can run lights no probs. Dont run it on 120v (single breaker) u must run it on 240v (double breaker) it drop the amperages consumptions by 50%. So 600w on 120v use 5 amps and on 240v it use 2.5 amps. So you have some way to set your lights:

-Use baseboard convector wires to connects your outlet.
-check if you got 100 or 200 amps capacity in your panel than put a single breaker of 50 amps to power another electric panel and from there pass wire to your grow room
-add an 40 amps double breakers to connect an oven outlet and connect it to a t104 panel and from there make some 240v and 120v outlets...

Dunno if u understand... Msg me for more info.

Peace

I will check it out. Thanks.
Not sure if I can message yet.
Would my ballasts have to be 240 compatible?

 

[Lucky Luke]

If its your own place then spend the money and have the wiring re done and up to date. It doesn't cost that much and may save a life.

 

[frizfrazjaz]

If its your own place then spend the money and have the wiring re done and up to date. It doesn't cost that much and may save a life.

Got quoted at $7000. Don’t have it laying around unfortunately. Besides, I did say I would consult an electrician.

 

[frizfrazjaz]

If its your own place then spend the money and have the wiring re done and up to date. It doesn't cost that much and may save a life.

You run off 240v lucky luke? What’s your setup?

 

[Jypsy Dog]

Hello RIU,
My house was built in 1920. The entire house was on an ungrounded loop. Two add on rooms have been built since. I run 3, 600 watt mh/hps at two separate tents.
The problem is I can’t power more than 1 light from any breaker.
How do you all consolidate your lights and electrical?
Am I kind of stuck in my predicament with the old wiring?
I realize I’ll need to consult an electrician. Just looking to downsize my electrical locations.

Insurance Companies LOVE Electrical Fires.... Easy to DENY CLAIM. When the SMOKE Clears, YOU were the cause of the FIRE!!

 

[frizfrazjaz]

Insurance Companies LOVE Electrical Fires.... Easy to DENY CLAIM. When the SMOKE Clears, YOU were the cause of the FIRE!!

Thank you. Captain Obvious.

 

[frizfrazjaz]

I’ll just have my house rewired Thanks for everyone’s input!

 

[CobGrower]

I am assuming the $7000 was for the entire house? How much would it be to have an electrician install 1 new circuit for the room as long as the power to the house can support it?

Of course a house rewire would be the best option if one could afford it, but short term a new circuit for a grow room should let you sleep a little easier at night. I would be terrified of a house fire if I was running my grow off of 1920 wires, who knows how many critters have taken nips out of the insulation on the wires over nearly 100 years that under normal use may not be an issue but when you start to max out the wiring it could become one very quickly. A 10amp vaccuum shouldn’t be able to trip a 15amp circuit and if it does something is wrong somewhere.