Electrical questions, post em here!

LoganSmith

LoganSmith

Well-Known Member
Every time I touch anything metal I can feel a charge, I think this is because the house that I live in is old and not grounded.
I guess I should state that in the grow area I have a heavy duty ex-cord that is ran to an outlet and all of my elec. units are plugged to a heavy duty power surge protector. When I touch a metal screw on the exhaust fan I can feel a small charge, when I touch the something metal that is plugged into that power strip I can feel a small charge.

I hope this made sence?????
 
jimmyspaz

jimmyspaz

Well-Known Member
LoganSmith said:
Every time I touch anything metal I can feel a charge, I think this is because the house that I live in is old and not grounded.
I guess I should state that in the grow area I have a heavy duty ex-cord that is ran to an outlet and all of my elec. units are plugged to a heavy duty power surge protector. When I touch a metal screw on the exhaust fan I can feel a small charge, when I touch the something metal that is plugged into that power strip I can feel a small charge.

I hope this made sence?????
Click to expand...
Yes ,it made sense. You MUST get that system grounded!! Use a cold water pipe(assuming you have metal pipes )and run a master ground from it. Or get an electrician to install a new service with proper grounding. This is important, you are endangering your life using an ungrounded system!!
 
I

Iarba

Active Member
I have a question. I have decided to use 4 * 600hps for my flowering room. My problem is I have to use 2 circuits. One is 20 amps and the other is 15 amps. I have another 15 amp but can only put perpherical devices on it such as fans as it will not be exclusively used for the room.

How do I use 2 circuits and coordinate the 4 lights to go on and off at the same time? tks in adv
 
cmak40

cmak40

Well-Known Member
Iarba said:
I have a question. I have decided to use 4 * 600hps for my flowering room. My problem is I have to use 2 circuits. One is 20 amps and the other is 15 amps. I have another 15 amp but can only put perpherical devices on it such as fans as it will not be exclusively used for the room.

How do I use 2 circuits and coordinate the 4 lights to go on and off at the same time? tks in adv
Click to expand...
run an extension cord from each circuit and use a single timer on each, so at the end of each cord you put a timer and set it for 12/12(try and offset by 3 mins for all the power being suck3ed at once) plug a power bar into each timer and run only 2 lights of each power bar which you have 2 of...a 15 amp circuit can handle 2 600s no problem if you dont put any more load on it. and the 20 amp could even run a fan or 2, and whatever else.
 
cmak40

cmak40

Well-Known Member
can i also say to absolutely make sure that your timers will handle 1200+watts(for your 2 600 on each) your power bars should be able to handle the watts and have a preferred 12 guage wire, and YOU MUST spend the $20-$30 each on 12 guage extension cords.
 
I

Iarba

Active Member
tks cmak40. So it doesn't matter if the lights don't go on/off at the same time. Why would you want to have a 3 min on/off difference between each circuit? Just wondering. tks
 
jimmyspaz

jimmyspaz

Well-Known Member
Just to smooth out power surge on ignition, doesn't make that much difference if you are using 2 circuits. I run 1 15 and 1 20 amp circuit in my flowering room and have 2 1000 watt hps, dehumidifier, A/C /air exchange , and 3 fans running with no trouble. you should be OK.
 
jimmyspaz

jimmyspaz

Well-Known Member
LoganSmith said:
I think I can try to ground from a metal pipe. Is there a how to???
Click to expand...
Check the library for a book on basic household wiring. It will show you how to make a ground connection to a water line. It should be as close as possible to where the water line comes into your house, usually near the main shut-off valve. You can buy a clip at the electrical suppliers that circles the pipe and holds the ground lead, everything is then grounded to this.:peace:
 
I

Iarba

Active Member
Home Depot sells a book called "Wiring 123" it covers pretty much everything you will need. I bought it over the weekend and added 2 circuits to my new flowering room without to much of a problem. The pictures and illustrations are pretty good.:hump:
 
jimmyspaz

jimmyspaz

Well-Known Member
Iarba said:
Home Depot sells a book called "Wiring 123" it covers pretty much everything you will need. I bought it over the weekend and added 2 circuits to my new flowering room without to much of a problem. The pictures and illustrations are pretty good.:hump:
Click to expand...
That's the ticket!!!:hump:
 
C

chronic4chronic

Active Member
i live in an old house with only a few outlets and only one outlet, it's a 4 plug outlet though, to run my entire soon to be set up. i will most likely have a 600w digital, 400w magnetic ballast, a 4" and 6" centrifugal fan, 4 or 5 pumps, fans, and an extra light for cloning. I'm concerned my wiring is going to burst into flames but i can't call an electrician and ask him to tell me if my grow will be safe with my wiring. is there anyway to know if my room will be safe and not burn down my house if i know little about electricity? thanks.
 
jimmyspaz

jimmyspaz

Well-Known Member
Do you have fuses?? If so what amperage? You probably need a couple of 15 amp circuits for that set-up. I would put the 600 and fans on one circuit and the 400 ,pumps and clone cupboard on the other. In my humble opinion this would safe . I am assuming that you are in north america and have 60 cycle 120 volt supply.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top