Question about switching an existing circuit from 120v to 240v

Hi all,

I am getting a replacement Lumatek ballast soon which will be capable of running on either 120v or 240v. I already have an existing Quantum that can run on either voltage as well and a bunch of multi-tap 400w ballasts that I eventually want to implement as well.

Therefore, I think it will make sense to upgrade at least one of my circuits to 240v as per these instructions.

http://www.equitech.com/support/120240.html

I already have one of the circuits picked out. It is a 20 amp kitchen circuit that has two outlets that are not in use.

My questions are:
1) What brand breaker do I need to buy, or does it matter? Here is a picture of my breaker box.


2) Do I *need* to upgrade my receptables to the NEMA 6 style or can I use my existing NEMA 5? My current receptacles are Leviton 8300-W hospital grade. I'm not concerned about anyone accidentally plugging in a 120v device into the outlet. I just want to know if the receptacle can handle 240v.

You actually need two open circuits open to wire a new 220 line. (220 is a double breaker). NEMA shouldn't concern you . It looks however that you have space to install additional circuits directly above your utilities circuit. The name of the breakers should be on the breakers themselves or on the box. Some have several different designs.

Give this video a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZL4gKkfsbk

There are two things YOU DO need to be concerned with so you don't burn down your house.

1. the total amperage rating for your panel. That panel looks pretty old, many old ones topped out at 100 amps.
2. the thickness of your wires. You want to make sure that your wires can handle the load you are going to put through them.

I would suggest just running new 12 gauge wire on a 30 amp 220 circuit. Open the panel up, obviously turn the power off first, and see what kind of breakers you need. Just pull one out. It will make sense once you open it up and take a look at things.

110 circuit = one wire to the circuit breaker (black), one white to one bus bar. The ground to the other bus bar.
220 circuit = one wire (black) to one side of the breaker, one to the other (white). ground to the ground bus bar.

Thanks for the response and for the video link. It's pretty much what I expected. I just wanted to make damn sure everything I researched was correct.

I was hoping that someone can tell the kind of breaker that I needed from the picture of the panel but I guess I'll have to actually crack it open. Is opening a live panel safe or should I shut off the main breaker first? I only have a small window while all my girls are sleeping that I can do a complete shutdown, so I might have to set aside two days to do this upgrade.

I would love to run a new 30 amp circuit, but unfortunately I don't own this home, so everything I change, I'll need to change back before I leave (doesn't a 30 amp circuit require 10 gauge wire?).

Unless you want to take the chance of your girls finding you dead near the panel one morning, yeah, shut the power off. I know this isn't the answer your looking for but you may want to think about the possibility of the state taking your children away from you. In most states (even some with MM laws), production of illegal narcotics is grounds for a felony child endangerment case against you. Just something to think about man, NOTHING is worth having your kids taken from you, especially not growing some stupid plants.

You can run up to 40 amps on 12 gauge wire. There are some variables, like length, just google it when you have all the numbers. At the very least, invest in a little $3 electrical circuit tester to make sure that your box is dead when you flip the switch. As the guy in the video said, you don't want to blow your eyeballs out. I once bumped an aluminum ladder into a live 220 wire (buddy had accidentally flipped the breaker on) and my muscles tensed up and I literally got knocked about 10 feet from the ladder.

Haha good advice, but by girls I meant my plants. I didn't want to disrupt their light cycle.

LMAO oh cool. Well, the cops can take those away too but I read your grow journal and it seems that even if they show up they aren't going to take them.

You should be good to go. Just buy a roll of 12 gauge romex and enough plastic conduit to run it to where you need to. Do put the wire in the conduit though anywhere you think you might bump into the wire. shit happens ya know.

I might offer a little suggestion on saving a little bread on 220 timers. The 220 timers (the hydro brand kind or whatever the hell they are) are rated for 15 amps but only have one plug. I wired an outlet box and then connected those wires to a 220 plug ($4 at home depot). When I plug that into the timer the timer is now powering two outlets instead of one.

BTW your plants look good dude. You should stop my the SCROG off journal if you have the time.
Cheers,
LF