Wall outlets keep melting

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Beauknowsdiddly

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone!
I'm wondering what wall outlets I need to get. I'm just using ordinary outlets. I have one outlet with 2 600 watt ballasts plugged in. Needless to say the outlets get very hot and tend to melt. I actually have the Ballasts plugged into a timer, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVF16JG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details. One ballast on each side and it's plugged into a single outlet. I have to replace the timer every couple of grows because it just gets too hot and dies. Today is one of those occasions. So I had to plug them both directly into the sockets and just remember to unplug them in time until the new timer gets here and hope the outlet doesn't melt. So what do you guys use to stop your timers and/or outlets from melting? Thanks!
 
shnkrmn

shnkrmn

Well-Known Member
I suggest some modern lighting. In an ideal world, your 2 ballasts draw 10 amps from the wall. The timer you mentioned is rated to 15 amps. It shouldn't be failing or melting unless there is a real problem with either your ballasts or your household wiring. If your house is older you could have circuits which are only rated for 10 amps in which case you could have more plugged in elsewhere than the circuit will bear drawing power. Which is disturbing because you are not tripping a circuit breaker but melting outlets. This is quite dangerous and you should pause until you figure this out
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
A general rule of thumb for electrical is if the cord is getting hot something is wrong. If the receptacle for that cord is melting you need to either have an electrician help you or figure out for yourself what is going wrong.. that is a big problem

It seems like you might be missing a ground somewhere but no pictures so it's hard to say. Don't go ahead and trust anything one of us stoners say though do your own research. Don't burn your place down because you are being dumb, good luck man
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
On a side note are the ballasts plugged into a cord that is the same size? It could be as simple as getting a thicker extension cable or a 2nd timer. I had an issue like this once when plugged into my kill-a-watt meter
 
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Beauknowsdiddly

Well-Known Member
LOL Now that I see all you guys say it. It sounds pretty scary! I've been growing them like this for about 10 years now. I've been replacing the timer about once every 2 years maybe. So about every 4 or 5 grows. I initially added an outlet specifically for this purpose, so nothing else was on that circuit because originally the circuit kept popping.. I had to replace the outlet once itself but that's because it wasn't grounded properly but now it is. I have the ballasts plugged directly into the timer which in turn is plugged into the wall. I think I'll take that outlet apart and make sure the ground is nice and tight. But no matter what outlet I use. The end of those power chords get very hot. Anyway. I'll figure it out! Thanks everyone!
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
Beauknowsdiddly said:
LOL Now that I see all you guys say it. It sounds pretty scary! I've been growing them like this for about 10 years now. I've been replacing the timer about once every 2 years maybe. So about every 4 or 5 grows. I initially added an outlet specifically for this purpose, so nothing else was on that circuit because originally the circuit kept popping.. I had to replace the outlet once itself but that's because it wasn't grounded properly but now it is. I have the ballasts plugged directly into the timer which in turn is plugged into the wall. I think I'll take that outlet apart and make sure the ground is nice and tight. But no matter what outlet I use. The end of those power chords get very hot. Anyway. I'll figure it out! Thanks everyone!
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if you have two breakers try splitting the load
to confirm, the ballasts are plugged into the same timer. Start by getting two timers and having the two fixtures fire off 10 minutes apart. HID lighting will draw more amps when they first kick on but then drop down. also if using any extension cords be sure the thickness of the cord is double, it is always a good idea to have cords thicker than what they're plugged into. If you can put one light on a seperate breaker and put the other on its own that will help also, AKA splitting the load onto two breakers. Maybe if your fans were on one breaker and the two lights were on the other, put the fans on that breaker with 1 light and then the 2nd light on the other.
 
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Beauknowsdiddly

Well-Known Member
Nizza said:
if you have two breakers try splitting the load
to confirm, the ballasts are plugged into the same timer. Start by getting two timers and having the two fixtures fire off 10 minutes apart. HID lighting will draw more amps when they first kick on but then drop down. also if using any extension cords be sure the thickness of the cord is double, it is always a good idea to have cords thicker than what they're plugged into. If you can put one light on a seperate breaker and put the other on its own that will help also, AKA splitting the load onto two breakers. Maybe if your fans were on one breaker and the two lights were on the other, put the fans on that breaker with 1 light and then the 2nd light on the other.
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That's a great idea. Yes the ballasts are plugged into the same timer which is plugged directly into one single outlet. No Extension chord at all. (it might be a good idea to use one) So 1200 watts on one oulet. I'll go ahead and get another timer and split them up with a 5 minute interval. That just might do the trick! Thanks for the advice!
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
Beauknowsdiddly said:
That's a great idea. Yes the ballasts are plugged into the same timer which is plugged directly into one single outlet. No Extension chord at all. (it might be a good idea to use one) So 1200 watts on one oulet. I'll go ahead and get another timer and split them up with a 5 minute interval. That just might do the trick! Thanks for the advice!
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make sure the start up on the ballasts is 10 minutes apart too on the timers, the ignitor on the ballast will draw excess amperage when it fires off the bulb
 
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Beauknowsdiddly

Well-Known Member
Nizza said:
I'd also bet your electrical is fucked up in your house. You should really pay an electrician to inspect your breaker panel and the circuits you've been doing it thru. Heated up wires become brittle and can cause big problems
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Yeah you're probably right and got it! 10 minutes! Thanks
 
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nxsov180db

Well-Known Member
Get a new 20amp outlet. You probably have a 15amp outlet. A 15amp outlet is good for 1440watts after the continuous draw derating of 20%. Your 2 600's are probably pulling about 1250 maybe 1300, so you're close to the limit. Could be just a shitty low quality plug and it just can't handle 1250-1300 for 12 hours at a time. Go get yourself a 20$ 20amp heavy duty receptacle.
 
weedstoner420

weedstoner420

Well-Known Member
So the outlet(s) on the timer is what fails? Or the outlet on the wall?

If it's only the timer that's failing, and the wall outlet is fine with the two lights plugged in, maybe consider upgrading your timer...?
 
weedstoner420

weedstoner420

Well-Known Member
nxsov180db said:
Get a new 20amp outlet. You probably have a 15amp outlet. A 15amp outlet is good for 1440watts after the continuous draw derating of 20%. Your 2 600's are probably pulling about 1250 maybe 1300, so you're close to the limit. Could be just a shitty low quality plug and it just can't handle 1250-1300 for 12 hours at a time. Go get yourself a 20$ 20amp heavy duty receptacle.
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Depends on the breaker amperage, too. I wouldn't stick a 20-amp outlet on a 15-amp breaker, that just gives a false sense of security.
 
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