Ballast wont reach outlet......are extension cords dangerous??

[Yes4Prop215]

Hey quick question, because im concerned about firing issues that i heard about. i heard if the ballast is more than 20 ft from outlet there might be issues?

Im using the new Phantom 1k digital ballasts in 240v that plug into a timer box that runs off my 10-30amp outlet.

so my question is....how can i make the phantom reach the box. i can either use a 240v extension cord to reach the box, or move the box closer to the room and use 10-30r extension cords.

i drew a quick diagram to try and illustrate.


it would be (Ballast)----factorycord-----}{----extension cord-----}[TIMERBOX]{-----10-30cord------OUTLET

OR

(Ballast)------factory cord-------}[TIMERBOX]{------10-30cord----}{----10-30 extension cord-----}OUTLET


im leaning towards just buying 3 different 240v extension cords from my local grow shop, then using those to reach to the timer box, i dont feel safe having the timer box's full 3k draw coming through a 10-30 plugged into another 10-30.

by using multiple 240v extension each is only bearing a 1k load. the total distance from ballast to timer box would be around 10-15 feet total with a few 45degrees turns.

what do you guys think

 

[Bullfrog44]

Bring the box closer. Ballast will have a hard time firing if you take the ballast too far from the bulb. It will cause strain if nothing else.

 

[Bullfrog44]

If you look in the NEC it will tell you how to de-rate your wires due to temp and distance.

 

[Iron_Lion]

long distance + high power consumption = hot wires

hot wires = fire

Move it closer, and always buy 12 AWG extension cords, they cost a few bucks more but not something you want to cheap out on.

 

[ambertrich]

long distance + high power consumption = hot wires

hot wires = fire

Move it closer, and always buy 12 AWG extension cords, they cost a few bucks more but not something you want to cheap out on.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

well if i could find a 12 ft 10-30 cord i could try to replace the 6 ft cord but i opened up the box and it looks pretty complicated i dont really want to mess with things.

if i add another 6 ft 10-30 extension cord then both cords will be pulling 3k in watts, something about 3k running through double 10-30s doesnt seem like it will work.


what i want to verify is...do the new electronic phantoms have problems if firing through a 240v extension cord? i also heard it was at distances of 20 feet or more.

the phantoms come with a standard 8ft 240v cord...do they sell a longer one? i need at least another 6 feet to reach the timer box.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

also, if i use a seperate 240v extension cord rated for 3600 watts on each 1k outlet, then im only at 1/3 of total usage, so it seems safer to run each 1k on a 240vextension cord instead of the whole timer box on a 10-30 extension cord.

 

[newmexgrow]

do it right..

do it right..

or lose lots of sleep.

turn the old outlet box into a sub panel and install a new outlet close enough to your setup to negate the need for an extension cord of _any_type.


if you insist on using an extension cord, make sure your fire insurnace covers your activities

 

[the gnome]

anything wired in my area to code pulling a heavy load uses #10 wire

 

[Iron_Lion]

Homedepot will sell 10/3 SJO cord by the foot, and you can buy a male and female cord cap and your in businnes. It's simple simon to install the cord ends, just make sure you tighten the terminals up nicely.

 

[Dr. Purpur]

Conventional ballast

Conventional ballast

Hey Brother! Long time no see!

I have 2 1000 watt conventional ballasts I use. I was throwing breakers in the grow room when everything was running on the same circuit, so I ran a 15 foot 220 extension cord. Maybe the digital is way different, I dont know.

My cord is very cool. Actually cold. 1000 watts isnt much. My concern with fire(and Im very concerned), leads me more toward cooling issues. I run tents. If You want to be real safe, have dual exhaust fans on different circuits. One running constant , one activated by temp setting


I just checked it. Its ice cold. Been running all day

 

[Yes4Prop215]

Homedepot will sell 10/3 SJO cord by the foot, and you can buy a male and female cord cap and your in businnes. It's simple simon to install the cord ends, just make sure you tighten the terminals up nicely.

i went to home depot and the longest cord with a 10-30plug is 6 feet..i see the cord by the foot but its not attached to a plug/receptacle yet.

are you guys sure that running heavy duty extension cord, rated at 3600 watts, PER 1k light wouldnt be dangerous? scaring me with all this fire talk!

its also gonna be less than 20 ft, probably around 14 feet to be exact 8ft + 6ft.

 

[DaPurps]

on a 12awg cord under 25feet you are only going to loose about 2 watts. I personally would do it, using the shortest cord possible.

 

[Dr. Purpur]

Grow store

Grow store

I got Mine at the grow store.. My Buddy owns the grow store. It was made for it, and He said it would work fine. It does. Id buy one and try it.

 

[<~Hades~>]

Why dont you use the extension cords that add 20 ft from the ballast to the original lamp socket cord.....You can keep your ballast by your power supply and just extend the lamp cord?

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/131848

 

[Yes4Prop215]

Why dont you use the extension cords that add 20 ft from the ballast to the original lamp socket cord.....You can keep your ballast by your power supply and just extend the lamp cord?

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/131848

YEA!! thats what im looking for....thanks for dropping by!

do they have 20ft power supply cords as well? the standard one that comes with the phantom ballast is only 8 feet long.

 

[Iron_Lion]

i went to home depot and the longest cord with a 10-30plug is 6 feet..i see the cord by the foot but its not attached to a plug/receptacle yet.

are you guys sure that running heavy duty extension cord, rated at 3600 watts, PER 1k light wouldnt be dangerous? scaring me with all this fire talk!

its also gonna be less than 20 ft, probably around 14 feet to be exact 8ft + 6ft.

1000/240 is 4.16amps.

12 AWG wire is good for 20 amps

12 AWG will be fine, technically you could get away with 14 AWG, but for electrical safety purposes I would never recommend using anything less than 12 AWG anything, be it and extension cord or romex.

There is a such thing as voltage drop but it doesnt usually come in to play unless you exceed 250' and it doesnt really apply to this scenario.

Wire that is too large is ok, wire too small is bad. Think of a wire like a pipe, the larger the pipe the easier the water can flow, the smaller the pipe.....you get the idea.

For a quick reference

14 AWG is good for 15 amps

12 AWG 20 amps

10 AWG 30 amps

so on and so fourth


I looked at your original post, here are a few options

wall plug-----extension cord------timer------ballast-------socket

wall plug---timer------extension cord-----ballast-----socket

if you had an or style magnetic ballast I would suggest you could make a longer wire from ballast to socket

something like this ballast-----20'cord----mogul socket, I wouldnt recommend doing this with a digital tho.

 

[rives]

If you go with the long cord between the ballast and the lamp, you may have problems with the lamp igniting. On the magnetic ballasts you can move the igniter out to the lamp location, I haven't dealt with the electronic ballasts so I don't now what the story is with them. Personally, I would use a 12 gauge cord between the ballast and the timer box. There should be no issues with the lamp firing this way.

 

[Iron_Lion]

215, check out this link. you might be able to find one like you're looking for.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CFoQ8wIwAQ#


http://www.google.com/search?q=15'+lamp+cord&hl=en&tbs=shop:1&aq=f

 

[Yes4Prop215]

nice thx IL and rives....i need to hit the local hydro shop and see if they have those cords in stock. in the meantime....im also thinking of using the long cord between the ballat-timer since the light-ballast might cause igniting issues.

the extension cord i have is this one...damn its only 14 gauge...gotta look for 12 gauge
http://www.hydrofarm.com/pb_detail.php?itemid=11331
its rated for 3600 watts and 15 amps though.....and if i use one of these for EACH 1k than it seems to be safe?


technically this should work for a 1k drawing 240v because its only 4.16 amps not even close to half capacity of 15amps....i could probably even sneak two 1ks onto it lol but i wont...but you guys are telling me to be cautious so im gonna look for a 12 gauge 240v...k after quick search for 12 gauge cannot find one...every single 240v extension cord is 14 gauge.