Electrical questions

RealLoud95

Active Member
Planning on starting a new flower room, installing 6 630 watt cmh lights, window ac 20k btu, dehumidifier, carbon filter inline combo etc. My electrical knowledge is slim to none unfortunately. I’m curious what I will need to do besides upgrade my breaker (wire upgrade needed?) the house is 70 years old so not sure if the old wire would be an issue. Also wondering rough cost estimate and what I’m looking at in order to add a few (2-3) extra outlets into the bedroom. Thanks in advance.
 

Gorillaglue4u

Well-Known Member
You will need new breakers to put in the box. New wire to run from breaker box to your outlets. The outlets and housing for them. How much it will cost will be determined by how far you have to run the wire. And if your doing 240v or 120v
 

RealLoud95

Active Member
You will need new breakers to put in the box. New wire to run from breaker box to your outlets. The outlets and housing for them. How much it will cost will be determined by how far you have to run the wire. And if your doing 240v or 120v
Breaker box is downstairs outside, using a finished bedroom upstairs so I’d say a solid 25-30 feet. I’ll measure it out later. Thanks for all the info!
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
RL,
Electrical safety is crucial. Add up all your demands and add a bit for safetly...20% maybe. You're going need both 110v and 220v

I'd suggest hiring an electrician (or someone in the know) to wire it for you. Get a solid circuit up to the room and then purchase a grow room electrical distribution box/controller so that everything can then plug into that. Never skimp on wiring. (had to say that).

I built a grow room in an old trailer I live in. I took the huge wire from an electrical range...ran that to the grow room and installed a sub box using same breakers. Cheap and functional...but I am comfortable doing my own wiring.

I prefer to cook with gas anyway.
Cheers,
JD
 

SchmoeJoe

Well-Known Member
Planning on starting a new flower room, installing 6 630 watt cmh lights, window ac 20k btu, dehumidifier, carbon filter inline combo etc. My electrical knowledge is slim to none unfortunately. I’m curious what I will need to do besides upgrade my breaker (wire upgrade needed?) the house is 70 years old so not sure if the old wire would be an issue. Also wondering rough cost estimate and what I’m looking at in order to add a few (2-3) extra outlets into the bedroom. Thanks in advance.
This is probably already covered but it's important to enough to repeat it. Repeatedly.

If you replace the breaker you have to replace the wiring rated to handle the same load as the breaker for the total distance of the wire run. If you just replace the breaker sure it won't pop when there's an issue. The problem is that the issue is guaranteed. With wiring not up to the load it will get extremely hot until something gives and it starts a fire.

Since you're looking at a pretty decent draw between the lights and ac you're best play is to run a dedicated 220 circuit to the room and use the existing 110's for your exhaust fan, circulation fans, control trigger cables for the lighting if you use a system with one or anything else that runs 110 since it won't be much as long as you run the lights and ac off of dedicated subpanel.
 

firsttimeARE

Well-Known Member
I'd make sure you have at least 100A service if the house is 70years old it probably has 50A which you are already at without the 20k btu AC which should be on it's own.

Definitely go 220v
 
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