How can i run one light off my dryer outlet?

[mjr99]

I have a 30 amp 3-prong dryer outlet that i need to tap into and run one 1k light off of. Ive seen the 30 amp timer boxes but theyre about $300. http://www.hidhut.com/catalog/30-amp-timer-box-p-661.html and are used for multiple lights

Im hoping that there is some sort of converter/adaptor out there that plugs directly into the dryer outlet and has a female 220v inlet on the other end that i can plug a timer and ballast directly to.

I also need to find a 220v extension cord which i dont see on google. Thanks.

 

[dtfsux]

you could wire something up yourself if you are handy, wouldnt be that hard. same thing for the cord, get some romex and put your own connectors on it.

 

[flyer]

you can hook up 5-6 lights for that..
wiring it up yourself

 

[NiteTiger]

Well, any 220 timer will work, doesn't have to be a 30A, that's just the max load for that circuit. A 1kw is not going to pull anywhere NEAR that. 1000/220= 4.5 amps. You should be able to find a 10A 220 timer with no problems, for cheap.

That being said, that begs the question: Why are you running off of a 220? Is your ballast pre-wired for 220?

 

[mjr99]

Well, any 220 timer will work, doesn't have to be a 30A, that's just the max load for that circuit. A 1kw is not going to pull anywhere NEAR that. 1000/220= 4.5 amps. You should be able to find a 10A 220 timer with no problems, for cheap.

That being said, that begs the question: Why are you running off of a 220? Is your ballast pre-wired for 220?

My dryer outlet is 220 or 240 isnt it? That outlet is my only option if i want to expand. I'm trying to figure out the least expensive way to connect a 1k to that outlet. Its looking like im going to have to buy a timer box because im not a diy guy. Just wondering if there was an adaptor that fit into the dryer outlet that i could plug a regular 240v plug directly into.

 

[NiteTiger]

Ah, okay. Gotcha.

Dryer outlet is most likely 220, yes.

Least expensive is going to be to just put a simple 220 timer on it and plug in your light, assuming your light is pre set for 220 and has a dryer type cord.

Setting a multi-tap ballast to 220 from 110 is easy, as is swapping to a dryer type plug. But without any DIY at all, it is gonna cost you some dough tho.

 

[mjr99]

Ah, okay. Gotcha.

Dryer outlet is most likely 220, yes.

Least expensive is going to be to just put a simple 220 timer on it and plug in your light, assuming your light is pre set for 220 and has a dryer type cord.

Setting a multi-tap ballast to 220 from 110 is easy, as is swapping to a dryer type plug. But without any DIY at all, it is gonna cost you some dough tho.

This is what my dryer outlet looks like. I believe lumatek's can be used on either 220 or 120 with the proper cord. So i if i buy a lumatek and a 220 timer how do i connect the timer to this outlet? You would think there would be an adapter available. Thanks.

 

[PharmaCan]

Go to home DePot or Lowe's and look in their electrical department near the extension cords, they have dryer cords with the plug you want on one end. Get one of those dryer cords. (If you want a 30 amp extension cord, go to an RV supply.)

Once you get the cord it will have three wires on one end. Hook those wires to a 240v Intermatic timer. From the timer, run a piece of 12/2 romex to a box and install a regular receptacle. Switch your ballast to 240v and plug it in. The 120v cord will work fine.

This really is a simple procedure. You essentially only need to strip the ends of 9 wires, slide them in slots and tighten the screws. You also need to remove a couple knockouts and install romex connectors in the holes, but a chimpanzee could do that.

If you really feel incapable of doing this simple DIY, about your only alternative is to buy one of those pre-made boxes that's plug-and-play.

PC

 

[Centrum]

Romex + GFCI Electrical Out = Cheap.

Turn off the power, run a new line off the 30 amp to an Electrical outlet, double check everything is secure and tight.
Turn power back on plug in light.

Wiring a new outlet is very simple a 10 year could do it just dont half ass and you will be okay.

To me this seems the like your safest option.
Good uck

 

[PharmaCan]

Romex + GFCI Electrical Out = Cheap.

Turn off the power, run a new line off the 30 amp to an Electrical outlet, double check everything is secure and tight.
Turn power back on plug in light.

Wiring a new outlet is very simple a 10 year could do it just dont half ass and you will be okay.

To me this seems the like your safest option.
Good uck

This sounds good on the surface, but getting the wire from the panel to the grow can be problematic. Running wire through an existing wall and into an existing panel is not for a ten-year-old.

PC

 

[Centrum]

This sounds good on the surface, but getting the wire from the panel to the grow can be problematic. Running wire through an existing wall and into an existing panel is not for a ten-year-old.

PC

Sorry, I know a lot of smart 10 year olds ever seen a 10 year old amish sider ? or Roofer ?

 

[PharmaCan]

Sorry, I know a lot of smart 10 year olds ever seen a 10 year old amish sider ? or Roofer ?

Aye, but nary an electrician among the lot!

PC

 

[inphu510n]

I guess I'm just curious what you plan to do when you need to use the dryer.

 

[supermanlives]

just hang the clothes, the heat is free from the bulb^^^^^

 

[puff adder]

I've been using my dryer outlet for a long time running 4K of lights.

Home depot I got the wire, and outlet plug, ran the wire through the attic and down into the room into a 4 light CAP controller. A pool or water heater timer can be directly wired instead of a controller.

Lights are off during the day, so a plug switch out is all that's needed for laundry.

I've learned to immediately set an alarm clock when I switch plugs though, so I don't forget to switch it back.

 

[MeanBean]

Lights are off during the day, so a plug switch out is all that's needed for laundry.

I've learned to immediately set an alarm clock when I switch plugs though, so I don't forget to switch it back.

Dang, thats pressure lol!!, why not just add another plug outlet?

 

[puff adder]

That was the original plan, just never got around to it. Switching the plugs once or twice a week is no big deal to me, unless I forget to do it. That's why now when I switch the plugs, before I do Anything I go and set the alarm.

 

[MeanBean]

yeah I guess your not Always doing laundry! my girl would not be ok with that..

 

[mjr99]

I've been using my dryer outlet for a long time running 4K of lights.

Home depot I got the wire, and outlet plug, ran the wire through the attic and down into the room into a 4 light CAP controller. A pool or water heater timer can be directly wired instead of a controller.

Lights are off during the day, so a plug switch out is all that's needed for laundry.

I've learned to immediately set an alarm clock when I switch plugs though, so I don't forget to switch it back.

This is what im talking about. Simple and effective. Please teach me man. The more links and photos the better. If you help me ill tell you this really funny joke i heard last night!

So you bought the 2-3' dryer plug and manually connected it an extension wire. And you manually connected that to a light controller? Which one? How difficult is that?

 

[PharmaCan]

This is what im talking about. Simple and effective. Please teach me man. The more links and photos the better. If you help me ill tell you this really funny joke i heard last night!

So you bought the 2-3' dryer plug and manually connected it an extension wire. And you manually connected that to a light controller? Which one? How difficult is that?

Dude, there are many ways to skin a cat. You kind of need to get the hang of asking the right questions to get the right answers, and of supplying enough information for people to address your problems. I'm not trying to get on your case. Just giving you a pointer for next time you have a question.

Back to your problem... How far is your grow from your dryer plug? Do you need to be able to keep the dryer plug operable for the dryer - like meanbean said? Do you have an attic or crawl space above your rooms? Do you own or rent?

You don't have to buy a prefab ext. cord, the male plug end can be purchased separately and it's easy to connect. Same thing with the timer. I didn't understand that you wanted to DIY this whole thing. It really is a piece of cake to do, it just seemed from your questions that were looking for something more plug and play.

PC