Mr. Cool 36k BTU DIY Electrical work

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Blissfarms2020

Active Member
Recently got my Mr cool unit in now the issue is i don't have a background in electrical work. Had one guy quote $3200 Almost laughed in his face, next guy was a $1000. I am in Northern Cali i am tempted to get zapped trying to do myself lol. Anybody got resources my way???
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
I did my own with the same unit. I used a 30 amp breaker and 10 gauge wire from the main panel to a non fused disconnect and ac whip from the disconnect to the unit.

The wire that connects the inside to the outside unit is easier to do if you buy some water proof crimp connectors at the hardware store. They will be shaped like a U on the end.
 
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Blissfarms2020

Active Member
Apalchen said:
I did my own with the same unit. I used a 30 amp breaker and 10 gauge wire from the main panel to a non fused disconnect and ac whip from the disconnect to the unit.

The wire that connects the inside to the outside unit is easier to do if you buy some water proof crimp connectors at the hardware store. They will be shaped like a U on the end.
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How long did this job take you. Whats the level of difficulty if i have no experience with electrical.
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Blissfarms2020 said:
How long did this job take you. Whats the level of difficulty if i have no experience with electrical.
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I guess it depends on how handy you are, I did it on the day of install. I'd say I had 8 hours total for installation. But I don't work that fast. As for the electrical I wired my whole building after being shown once how to wire a grow room. I had some guys I would call and ask questions but I did the whole thing. So just depends on how handy you are, I can watch a video or have something explained and usually figure it out. It can be dangerous in a panel though so if your not comfortable might need to hire someone.

EDIT: also wiring up 240 is not that hard both wires white and black go to the breaker one on each side of the 2 pole breaker and the copper wire goes to the ground bar. Might want to mark your 240 white wires with red tape so someone else working on the panel knows they are hot.
 
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Blissfarms2020

Active Member
Apalchen said:
I guess it depends on how handy you are, I did it on the day of install. I'd say I had 8 hours total for installation. But I don't work that fast. As for the electrical I wired my whole building after being shown once how to wire a grow room. I had some guys I would call and ask questions but I did the whole thing. So just depends on how handy you are, I can watch a video or have something explained and usually figure it out. It can be dangerous in a panel though so if your not comfortable might need to hire someone.

EDIT: also wiring up 240 is not that hard both wires white and black go to the breaker one on each side of the 2 pole breaker and the copper wire goes to the ground bar. Might want to mark your 240 white wires with red tape so someone else working on the panel knows they are hot.
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What would you say the average number is to pay someone to do it??
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Blissfarms2020 said:
What would you say the average number is to pay someone to do it??
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I am not sure what an electrician would charge, I'm kinda cheap when it comes down to time to hire things out and end up doing them myself.

Depending on the length of the run of wire they might have at most like 250 in supplies. That's with a long run of wire, could def be cheaper. So 500 is what I would try to pay but a lot of people mark it up even more and it depends on how hard the wire is to run as well. My building is easy to run wires in as I can just use the little attic area.
 
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Blissfarms2020

Active Member
Apalchen said:
I am not sure what an electrician would charge, I'm kinda cheap when it comes down to time to hire things out and end up doing them myself.

Depending on the length of the run of wire they might have at most like 250 in supplies. That's with a long run of wire, could def be cheaper. So 500 is what I would try to pay but a lot of people mark it up even more and it depends on how hard the wire is to run as well. My building is easy to run wires in as I can just use the little attic area.
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Damn i really wish i cld do it myself my grow room finally almost fully set up and running good just need this done.
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Blissfarms2020 said:
Damn i really wish i cld do it myself my grow room finally almost fully set up and running good just need this done.
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Who did the wiring for your lights? I have to think if you set up the room you can prob do it yourself. But it just depends on how hard that wire is to route. How is the main box set up is it recessed into a closed wall? How far do you have to run the wire and do you have a clear route in mind to get the wire from the main panel to where the ac is gonna be? I'm headed to work now but will check in later to see what you say. If the main panel is easily accessible and you have an easy run with the wire then it's pretty simple.
 
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Blissfarms2020

Active Member
Apalchen said:
Who did the wiring for your lights? I have to think if you set up the room you can prob do it yourself. But it just depends on how hard that wire is to route. How is the main box set up is it recessed into a closed wall? How far do you have to run the wire and do you have a clear route in mind to get the wire from the main panel to where the ac is gonna be? I'm headed to work now but will check in later to see what you say. If the main panel is easily accessible and you have an easy run with the wire then it's pretty simple.
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My main box is on the same side as where the unit would be. Id say 10-20 steps away. The guy who did my lights half assed that job so definitely not reaching to him.
 
DrUgZrBaD

DrUgZrBaD

Well-Known Member
Apalchen said:
I guess it depends on how handy you are, I did it on the day of install. I'd say I had 8 hours total for installation. But I don't work that fast. As for the electrical I wired my whole building after being shown once how to wire a grow room. I had some guys I would call and ask questions but I did the whole thing. So just depends on how handy you are, I can watch a video or have something explained and usually figure it out. It can be dangerous in a panel though so if your not comfortable might need to hire someone.

EDIT: also wiring up 240 is not that hard both wires white and black go to the breaker one on each side of the 2 pole breaker and the copper wire goes to the ground bar. Might want to mark your 240 white wires with red tape so someone else working on the panel knows they are hot.
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why not buy 3 wire and not turn the neutral into a traveller. Wouldn’t that be safer so your bond doesn’t carry Voltage? Or am I wrong
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
DrUgZrBaD said:
why not buy 3 wire and not turn the neutral into a traveller. Wouldn’t that be safer so your bond doesn’t carry Voltage? Or am I wrong
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Could be right, I've always used 2-1 wire but maybe the guy that showed me wasn't the best. I've never had issue with it but that doesn't mean there isn't a better way to do it.
 
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Blissfarms2020

Active Member
Apalchen said:
Could be right, I've always used 2-1 wire but maybe the guy that showed me wasn't the best. I've never had issue with it but that doesn't mean there isn't a better way to do it.
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Hey is there anyway I could have a step by step run down of how to do the safest easiest way. The main panel all on same side its 20 ft or so, id have the wire ran thru a pipe on the side. Really dont want to pay someone they are taxing me here. Best offer so far was 600.
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
I don't wanna be responsible for something bad happening, I barely know what I'm doing. I'm sure you could YouTube installing a 35 amp dual pole breaker which is what the unit calls for. I used a 30 amp breaker and 10 gauge wire and a few guys assure me it was okay but I only did it because I already had that material if I was buying new I'd buy the 35 amp breaker and corresponding wire size. I don't wanna give too much recommendation as I just don't wanna be responsible for you getting shocked or damage to your home.

Maybe @Renfro would chime in on atleast the proper wire size and he knows a lot more than I do about the proper way to do things.
 
GBAUTO

GBAUTO

Well-Known Member
LIke Apalchen has mentioned, it's a pretty straightforward job.
Determine the amp load the unit requires and use the appropriate gauge wire for the load.
Renfro has tons of experience sorting this and should be able to walk you through it safely.
 
DrUgZrBaD

DrUgZrBaD

Well-Known Member
I
Apalchen said:
Could be right, I've always used 2-1 wire but maybe the guy that showed me wasn't the best. I've never had issue with it but that doesn't mean there isn't a better way to do it.
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Had a brain fart there for a Ac It only ever is 2 wire we only ever ran 3 just in case a wire got hit but that was on 2-3 ton units I imagine higher tonnage might change
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Apalchen said:
Maybe @Renfro would chime in on atleast the proper wire size and he knows a lot more than I do about the proper way to do things.
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Let me see a shot of that section of the install manual, 35 amp breaker is very odd. Also a shot of the nameplate on the condenser unit outside (where it has the #'s for charge weight and amperage.
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Renfro said:
Let me see a shot of that section of the install manual, 35 amp breaker is very odd. Also a shot of the nameplate on the condenser unit outside (where it has the #'s for charge weight and amperage.
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I already left the house this morning, if the OP doesn't post the info I can but it will be this evening.
 
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