NEED ELETRICAL HELP!

MrStickyScissors

Well-Known Member
So I got this auto pilot box to run 6, 600 watt lights on 240. It's a 8 plug box and I'm only running 3600 watts off it.Whats the thinest wire I could use and still be safe? and also if I have a double pole breaker thats 30 amp would that be enough for this box to be hooked up to it?
 

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Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
So I got this auto pilot box to run 6, 600 watt lights on 240. It's a 8 plug box and I'm only running 3600 watts off it.Whats the thinest wire I could use and still be safe? and also if I have a double pole breaker thats 30 amp would that be enough for this box to be hooked up to it?
30 amps is enough to run 3600. But don't try to turn them up to 1000s. That box is intended to run 8 1000s at 220v 50 amp.

Your dryer outlet will normally work perfect for 6 600s or 4 1000s.
 

MrStickyScissors

Well-Known Member
30 amps is enough to run 3600. But don't try to turn them up to 1000s. That box is intended to run 8 1000s at 220v 50 amp.

Your dryer outlet will normally work perfect for 6 600s or 4 1000s.
that's exactly what its hooked up to is the dryer slot on the breaker board. so would I just connect the two hot wires to the auto pilot and then connect the two hot wires inside the breaker box and then connect the ground inside the breaker box, run it too the room and mount the auto pilot on the wall?
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
I was trying to run 10 gauge. but I looked at the price of the 8 gauge and its 1.79 a foot I think 50 feet would be plenty so ima be safe and go with the 8 gauge.
You don't need 8 gauge 10 gauge correlates with 30 amp breakers.

I really don't like giving full on "hooking up" advice for liability reasons. Just make sure you have your two hots and a ground on both sides. (You can NOT run any 110v equipment on this if there is no neutral)

Why not just wire the controller into a dryer cord. You can buy them at lowes or Home Depot. then plug into dryer outlet. (If it's close enough to do)
 

MrStickyScissors

Well-Known Member
You don't need 8 gauge 10 gauge correlates with 30 amp breakers.

I really don't like giving full on "hooking up" advice for liability reasons. Just make sure you have your two hots and a ground on both sides. (You can NOT run any 110v equipment on this if there is no neutral)

Why not just wire the controller into a dryer cord. You can buy them at lowes or Home Depot. then plug into dryer outlet. (If it's close enough to do)
the dryer out let is being used already for the grow room. I gotta take off the wires from the 30 am breaker and run a thicker wire to this box. all the lights are 240 digital ballast
 

jarvild

Well-Known Member
Yes 10 gauge will run 30 amps but I would never run a box that's capable of 50 amps and feed it with 10 gauge wire even if your not running the full load, for safety reasons. 50 amps actually requires 6 gauge wire.
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
Yes 10 gauge will run 30 amps but I would never run a box that's capable of 50 amps and feed it with 10 gauge wire even if your not running the full load, for safety reasons. 50 amps actually requires 6 gauge wire.
I do it all the time for people. Pretty simple, don't ever plug in 1000s and only use 600s
 

MrStickyScissors

Well-Known Member
now I have to figure out where to plug the wires into the quto pilot. I watched a video and it says it doesnt mater what side you put the wires in at, there two hots and they can go on either side, put the ground to the metal bolt in the breaker box, is there a ground inside of the auto pilot?
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
if 8 gauge wire isn't too much more maybe I will run with that
You can. It's really not needee though.
3600w/220v is 16.36. Your a lil bit over 50% load. Just run the 10/2, you'll never need the 8/2, it's a waste of money. Doesn't matter if u put the largest wire u can, the breaker will still only allow "30 amps"
now I have to figure out where to plug the wires into the quto pilot. I watched a video and it says it doesnt mater what side you put the wires in at, there two hots and they can go on either side, put the ground to the metal bolt in the breaker box, is there a ground inside of the auto pilot?
there is 2 hots and a ground in the box. It doesn't matter which side the hots go on. One on the left one on the right. The ground is inside the box, should be close to the entry of box. The instructions should clearly point out ground and hots. Or they will b labeled inside box.
 

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
I agree with jarvild. #8 would be the way too go. Grow lights unlike dryers are long, continuous loads, 12+ hrs. Better safe than sorry.
 
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Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
I'm a certified electrician.... These conversations get old quick.

To the op, do as you want. The 10 gauge is what I would run.

Good luck.
 

jarvild

Well-Known Member
As am I, along with several other certifications being in industrial maintenance for 40 years.
We're looking at a $40-$50 difference between #10 and # 8 @ 50'.
If I were doing it I would run #6 wire and replace the 30 amp breaker with a 50 and would be done.
Some things are better not to skimp on in my personal opinion.
 
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