OMG I Need an Electrician... or at least electric savvy.

[leroy79]

Hello-
My grow is kind of a nightmare when it comes to safely powering all of my lighting and ventilation. Please help me figure this crap out because I'm sick of tripping over extension cords in the night after the fuse blows.

-How can I route all of the power through one source without tripping the fuses in the breaker box???

I am very weak in the electricity department and need some ideas and any at all would be helpful. I have about 2500 watts total power consumption. My grow-space is in a spare bedroom and it is on the same circuit as the other guest-room, so I don't use any of the outlets in there because it trips every time. I have to run a 12 gauge extension cord into the washer/dryer room and another into the kitchen(can't use microwave) and yet another one into the garage. If any additional information would be helpful, I can provide it quickly. Thanks much to all.

 

[woodsmaneh!]

you got a pix of your fuse box? does it have fuses that screw in of breakers that you flip? Is the box full? What is the amps rating on the fuse or what color is it inside, blue, green

 

[leroy79]

It has fuses that flip. IDK if the box is full or not, but I am trying to stick to using the outlets with a 20 amp fuse. It's just a pain stretching extension cords everywhere to get to them. Let me go get those pics for you. Give me 5-10 minutes.

 

[leroy79]

Camera battery is dead, figures

 

[UncleBuck]

tip #1: use 14 gauge extension cord.

tip #2: hire electrician if possible. if you're in a med state, there are electricians who are friendly to your situation. if you're not in a med state, you'll have to make up a scenario that seems plausible.

 

[leroy79]

tip #1: use 14 gauge extension cord.

tip #2: hire electrician if possible. if you're in a med state, there are electricians who are friendly to your situation. if you're not in a med state, you'll have to make up a scenario that seems plausible.

Yeah, 14 gauge would be great. It was too expensive at the time and sufficed. I am trying to avoid having to hire an electrician by asking questions here...

 

[Black Uhuru]

What size breakers do you have? Do you have a 15 amp breaker? You most likely haveto upgrade the breaker to 20a, you should get an Electrician to help you out. if you do upgrade the breaker, ask the electrician about twin breakers, this gives you two circuits in the space of 1 breaker. This is why panels or breaker boxes have two numbers in their model number sometimes for them for example. A Murray Breaker panel would be termed 8-16 main lug. meaning you can have 8 single breakers or 16 twin breakers for more circuits. Also you can jump from the existing outlet the bedroom, and use wire mold to run a short piece to a different location and put as many outlets, or use plugmold.

http://www.legrand.us/wiremold/at-home/add-power-outlets/power-strips/pm-plugmold-multi-outlet-strips.aspx
http://www.legrand.us/wiremold/at-home/add-power-and-outlets.aspx

 

[leroy79]

What size breakers do you have? Do you have a 15 amp breaker? You most likely haveto upgrade the breaker to 20a, you should get an Electrician to help you out. if you do upgrade the breaker, ask the electrician about twin breakers, this gives you two circuits in the space of 1 breaker. This is why panels or breaker boxes have two numbers in their model number sometimes for them for example. A Murray Breaker panel would be termed 8-16 main lug. meaning you can have 8 single breakers or 16 twin breakers for more circuits. Also you can jump from the existing outlet the bedroom, and use wire mold to run a short piece to a different location and put as many outlets, or use plugmold.

http://www.legrand.us/wiremold/at-home/add-power-outlets/power-strips/pm-plugmold-multi-outlet-strips.aspx
http://www.legrand.us/wiremold/at-home/add-power-and-outlets.aspx

Very helpful man! Thanks. There are actually 10 amp fuses for the bedrooms and thats why I'm stretching cords into the garage, kitchen, etc. where there are 20 amp fuses. I just want to be able to flip a couple switches and whalla!

 

[woodsmaneh!]

I think part of your problem is you may have 2 devices (fans or light and fan combo) that when one kicks in it has a higher draw at start up. So if you have a fan say 4.5 amps and a light 1000W 11.5 amps every thing if fine till one shuts off and starts again as the start up draw is higher than the breaker. Do you have a drier plug you can use? I have instructions on how to build a 220 50a power panel you could run into the room and plug every thing in. Need switchable ballast 110 to 220.

Dude working with electricity is playing with fire, be very sure about what you do as there is no second chance.

Check your cords for heat! Put your hand on the plug if you fell any heat that's real bad, find a better way.

Your fuse panel should say what amps it is, 100 amp 200amp? How many breakers in it, does it have 1 or 2 rows in it?

 

[leroy79]

Actually, I am using 14 gauge cords. It was the 16 gauge that were too expensive.

 

[woodsmaneh!]

Make sure you have fire insurance and if anyone else lives in the same building, an apartment lets say, buy them a smoke detector and make sure they have an escape plan. Yes it is that serious.....you been warned

now get the pics and there is a real good electrician who answers questions here track him down.

 

[Black Uhuru]

Very helpful man! Thanks. There are actually 10 amp fuses for the bedrooms and thats why I'm stretching cords into the garage, kitchen, etc. where there are 20 amp fuses. I just want to be able to flip a couple switches and whalla!

If there are electrical supply stores in your area take a visit and ask for some help. Tell them what your problem is dont mention what your doing lol just say when you plug in stuff into your outlet in the room it trips and you want to upgrade. They should be able to set you up with the supplies you need to get the job done

 

[woodsmaneh!]

Very helpful man! Thanks. There are actually 10 amp fuses for the bedrooms and thats why I'm stretching cords into the garage, kitchen, etc. where there are 20 amp fuses. I just want to be able to flip a couple switches and whalla!

They may be 10amp because of old wiring or because the box is maxed out. If the wire is good and the box is rated for it it's easy to change the breakers out. 10 min job and basic tools = screwdrivers.

 

[leroy79]

I think part of your problem is you may have 2 devices (fans or light and fan combo) that when one kicks in it has a higher draw at start up. So if you have a fan say 4.5 amps and a light 1000W 11.5 amps every thing if fine till one shuts off and starts again as the start up draw is higher than the breaker. Do you have a drier plug you can use? I have instructions on how to build a 220 50a power panel you could run into the room and plug every thing in. Need switchable ballast 110 to 220.

Dude working with electricity is playing with fire, be very sure about what you do as there is no second chance.

Check your cords for heat! Put your hand on the plug if you fell any heat that's real bad, find a better way.

Your fuse panel should say what amps it is, 100 amp 200amp? How many breakers in it, does it have 1 or 2 rows in it?

Yeah bro I don't want any fires. Noticed hot 12's and replaced the cords to 14 gauge a long time ago and replace each year since. I'm trying to fix this problem here without taking any direct action unless I am positive, but I'm getting more confused about it and am going to have to tap out. I am going to hire an electrician.

 

[woodsmaneh!]

Shut main power off, check lights in 2 rooms to make sure it's off. Take face off fuse box, remove one of the breakers for the room, will be a screw holding a black wire onto the breaker, undo it, look for screw that holds breaker down, some don't use screws they are a friction fit, and will pop out when you pry on the lip gently. Take it to Homer depot and tell them you want a 15 or 20 amp, installation is the reverse. Make sure you tighten the black wire down tight. The last thing you do is turn the power back on.

 

[leroy79]

If there are electrical supply stores in your area take a visit and ask for some help. Tell them what your problem is dont mention what your doing lol just say when you plug in stuff into your outlet in the room it trips and you want to upgrade. They should be able to set you up with the supplies you need to get the job done

I'm in Arizona. It's a med state, so hopefully it won't be too hard to get help. More worried about the expense, but safety is most important... so I guess I will go with safety first

 

[woodsmaneh!]

That will be 165$ thank you,

 

[leroy79]

Shut main power off, check lights in 2 rooms to make sure it's off. Take face off fuse box, remove one of the breakers for the room, will be a screw holding a black wire onto the breaker, undo it, look for screw that holds breaker down, some don't use screws they are a friction fit, and will pop out when you pry on the lip gently. Take it to Homer depot and tell them you want a 15 or 20 amp, installation is the reverse. Make sure you tighten the black wire down tight. The last thing you do is turn the power back on.

Can't there be negatives to replacing a 10 with a 20 without doing anything else? I don't know thats why I ask. BTW, I lease, so I can't make any permanent changes. None that are obvious anyway

 

[leroy79]

That will be 165$ thank you,

NO, thank you

 

[woodsmaneh!]

Can't there be negatives to replacing a 10 with a 20 without doing anything else? I don't know thats why I ask. BTW, I lease, so I can't make any permanent changes. None that are obvious anyway

Yes there can, if the wire is not the right gauge doubling the amps is a very real fire issue, the wire will heat and melt than fire.

The breaker will be 20 to 50$