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Need Help! Light Controller + Dryer Ot Questions
- Thread starter RugerBaby
- Start date
anyone?
OK. if I was to ask an electrician to come out I would ask for a dedicated circuit (connect to your main breaker, run line, install secondary breaker box, fuses and install 240 v and 140 v plugs) to run everything off.But you most likely will ask for a junction box to run to your room from your 240v 30 amp line. (it is 30 amps right?) Your dryer line should already be connected to its own fuse.
stagehand099
Member
Hello Rugerbaby. I absolutely knew nothing about electricity until a few months ago when I built a 30 amp 4 light controller using this DIY instructions page:
http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp
I bought the relay from them and got everything else locally. It was too easy and it works perfectly. If you are the least bit comfortable with tools, you can do this. Me and lots of other people here will help if you hit a snag. My total cost was around $80.00, as I remember. Go for it!
stagehand
http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp
I bought the relay from them and got everything else locally. It was too easy and it works perfectly. If you are the least bit comfortable with tools, you can do this. Me and lots of other people here will help if you hit a snag. My total cost was around $80.00, as I remember. Go for it!
stagehand
I wasn't tryin' to pick on ya, broseph
Its all good friend. No offense taken. We are all here to get and receive advice.!!! Its what make this place (ICMAG) go round...
Well, an "electrician" I knew basically doesn't want to do the job :/
a friend told me he was an electrician but he doesn't seem to know much. Im in the middle of a grow and dont want some strangers in my house, so Im thinking of doing it myself. Anybody want to tell me what I should do? lol
I just ordered a 1000w so I need to do this asap! Such a headache!
a friend told me he was an electrician but he doesn't seem to know much. Im in the middle of a grow and dont want some strangers in my house, so Im thinking of doing it myself. Anybody want to tell me what I should do? lol
I just ordered a 1000w so I need to do this asap! Such a headache!
Smoke Kush
Member
i purchased a 4 light controller for 175$. It leaves it open to add your extension cord and plug setup which I took to a electrician to wire. I bought 30 ft of 8/3 romex and the correct plug setup and took it to the guy and asked him to wire it. The box has a 120v line coming off it to hook into any timer. I plan on running it all night and unplugging it when I need to use the dryer during the day. first time I have seen a controller like this and I thought the price was pretty good.
http://www.horticulturesource.com/product_info.php/products_id/2963
sk
http://www.horticulturesource.com/product_info.php/products_id/2963
sk
vannuysorganic
Member
I usually don't like to give electrical recommendations... for obvious reasons.
But seeing as how there is no real wiring, let see if we can make this simple.
I would go with the controller for peace of mind and ease. Besides it seems as though you can get one for almost the same price as do it yourself.
Now on to the power... With the amperage needed I would go with a #10 wire, the 30 feet won't be an issue regarding voltage drop. Even with 4 1k's drawing 1100w each @ 220v you will only max out @ 20 amps so even if you think future the # 10 will be fine. If you plan to run through the attic I would use 10/2 romex, if you want something a little more durable use S.O cord, its pretty much the stuff ext. cords are made of sold by the foot at hardware stores. Remember to account for the wire needed to go up and down each wall as well as some extra for make up... they don't make a wire stretcher.
Now your gonna need a 220v 30 amp male plug end that matches your dryer circuit. When you wire the plug end the only color that matters is the ground. Also remember to strap the wire to the wall so nothing snags or yanks on it.
Mount your controller high up off the ground preferably outside of your room so it can be accessed during the dark cycle if need be. Turn the breaker off, land your wires in the controller, plug in to the dryer circuit, IN THAT ORDER.
Before you turn the power on DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING. Leave all the ballast unplugged for now until you have the power on. Once you are confident everything is mounted tight and all wires all snuggly were they need to be its time to feel good about yourself.
Go flip the breaker on and see if it holds, hopefully it doesn't trip . Turn all the breakers in the controller to the off position and plug in all your ballast. Now start to flip the breakers in the CB to the on position one at a time.
With all breakers holding and all lights glowing its time to bask in the glory of your room now more than 3x as bright as your were before. Throw your sun glasses on and treat yourself...
But seeing as how there is no real wiring, let see if we can make this simple.
I would go with the controller for peace of mind and ease. Besides it seems as though you can get one for almost the same price as do it yourself.
Now on to the power... With the amperage needed I would go with a #10 wire, the 30 feet won't be an issue regarding voltage drop. Even with 4 1k's drawing 1100w each @ 220v you will only max out @ 20 amps so even if you think future the # 10 will be fine. If you plan to run through the attic I would use 10/2 romex, if you want something a little more durable use S.O cord, its pretty much the stuff ext. cords are made of sold by the foot at hardware stores. Remember to account for the wire needed to go up and down each wall as well as some extra for make up... they don't make a wire stretcher.
Now your gonna need a 220v 30 amp male plug end that matches your dryer circuit. When you wire the plug end the only color that matters is the ground. Also remember to strap the wire to the wall so nothing snags or yanks on it.
Mount your controller high up off the ground preferably outside of your room so it can be accessed during the dark cycle if need be. Turn the breaker off, land your wires in the controller, plug in to the dryer circuit, IN THAT ORDER.
Before you turn the power on DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING. Leave all the ballast unplugged for now until you have the power on. Once you are confident everything is mounted tight and all wires all snuggly were they need to be its time to feel good about yourself.
Go flip the breaker on and see if it holds, hopefully it doesn't trip . Turn all the breakers in the controller to the off position and plug in all your ballast. Now start to flip the breakers in the CB to the on position one at a time.
With all breakers holding and all lights glowing its time to bask in the glory of your room now more than 3x as bright as your were before. Throw your sun glasses on and treat yourself...
I would stay away from CRAP, I mean CAP and Powerbox. They are both built with very cheap contactors and are likely to hum when the coil is energized. Shop around and get a custom lighting controller built or build yourself. Powerbox is owned by a realtor with no electrical background.
