Noob4x4grow
New Member
the room that I can't plug the heater into is not my grow room. I hope I explained all that clearly.
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Electricity scares the shiz out of me. I won't mess with it. But I live in a house that was built in the 40's, with some upgrades. One room in my house will shut down half the upstairs if I plug my 1500 watt space heater into any of it's plugs. So, I started worrying that I wouldn't be able to have my end goal of 2 separate gardens in one room of my house. So, I started experimenting in that room, using the plugs I plan to use for my grow. I plugged in said 1500 watt heater and started turning on all the other appliances that were on that plug including a 42" flat screen, cable box, dvd player, lamp. Then I turned on my 80 watt amp that is plugged in on the other side of the room and turned the light on. I left it all on for an hour before going around the upstairs and turning everything on. wtf?
The outlet that I plan to use is one of the upgrades rewired in when the previous owners moved the box to the basement 20 years ago.
With a 96 watt T5, a 600 watt MH, a 600 watt HPS, two 4" inline fans, and 2 oscillating fans. I am hoping this will suffice. What do you think Shiggity?
IMO, if you have a GOOD 15A circuit (correct wiring, no extension cords used, etc.) you are closed to maxed out. I try to use about 20% less than the rated capacity, so for 15A = about 12A. You've got 12A just with the two big lights. Add in the fans and T-5, and you are probably using 14 amps. If it is a 20A circuit, you are good.
I've got space in my panel but having room for a breaker doesn't overcome my ultimate limitation: 200A. While not likely, we have several big current draws that could cause problems when combined: swimming pool pump, well pump, arc welder, heat pump, 2 water heaters, high powered audio/home theater, etc.
I set up all our circuits for 20A from the get-go. All circuits are wired with one step heavier gauge than code for 20A. My easy solution is still to run all my grow light stuff on 230V. They all switch automatically. The real kicker is the sub-panel in the area where my grow is (not the house). It is only a 60A panel and it is full (a couple are half-width breakers).
Honestly, I grow more than I can consume already. I just gave away 8 oz. to stay legal and once my Tigers finish I'll probably have to trash another 8 zips.
knowing basic electrical wiring, i did a similar project.
200 amp main panel in the house, ran 130 feet of 6/2 through the attic then down an exterior wall and into a outdoor J-box where i slip bolted my connection with single strand 6 gauge wire that went in the grey pipe in underground trench I dug to 18". I then ran that into the shop panel that i installed with a 50 amp breaker and ran 12 gauge wires for all my 20 amp outlets.
Pretty simple to do, I bought a book and read on how it's done and watched some vids on youtube. Just remember to only touch one wire at a time when handling live wire. You touch two, complete the circuit and get shocked. Another good tool is a sharpie for labeling what wire goes were in the panel. Also a circuit detector if you have mess of a panel, one piece plugs into an outlet and the other you scan down the breakers until it beeps and that's the breaker for the outlet.
All good advice, but there is NEVER any need to touch ANY live wire, sorry but that's BAD advice there, you have no need to touch any live wire! PERIOD! Sorry if I sound like an arse not intentional.
The good news is I got everything installed, I had a nice spot for that 50amp breaker and ran 6/2 NM-R wire along the floor joists and mounted the light controller on the grow room ceiling. Now all mu lights are plugged into it and an additional accessory fan. All together my lights right now are about 19 amps in flower so I am good to go for a long while even with a few expansions. Maybe next winter I will run some 1000s.
And I must say, a non contact voltage detector is a man's best friend when going into a circuit panel!
I think she is a great choice. The smell of her is unreal and she gives a great head buzz that doesn't make you stupid.
I'll catch up later man... Returning the favour....