Old house, old wiring

frizfrazjaz

Well-Known Member
Hello RIU,
My house was built in 1920. The entire house was on an ungrounded loop. Two add on rooms have been built since. I run 3, 600 watt mh/hps at two separate tents.
The problem is I can’t power more than 1 light from any breaker.
How do you all consolidate your lights and electrical?
Am I kind of stuck in my predicament with the old wiring?
I realize I’ll need to consult an electrician. Just looking to downsize my electrical locations.
 

WheresmyATF

Active Member
I too am having similar issues. I got 2 plug ins in the entire house i can use to power roughly 1000w of lights and fans. All going into one outlet atm. Worried about several things.
 

charface

Well-Known Member
I had a buddy throw in two 20amp
Breakers and pulled new wire to the room.
I actually need more but will have to upgrade my whole service because
I can't add anymore breakers.

Not enough power is a bummer
 

frizfrazjaz

Well-Known Member
I had a buddy throw in two 20amp
Breakers and pulled new wire to the room.
I actually need more but will have to upgrade my whole service because
I can't add anymore breakers.

Not enough power is a bummer
I have one 20 amp that is labeled “spare”.
 

Bombattak

Member
If you are with breakers you good. Old wires can run lights no probs. Dont run it on 120v (single breaker) u must run it on 240v (double breaker) it drop the amperages consumptions by 50%. So 600w on 120v use 5 amps and on 240v it use 2.5 amps. So you have some way to set your lights:

-Use baseboard convector wires to connects your outlet.
-check if you got 100 or 200 amps capacity in your panel than put a single breaker of 50 amps to power another electric panel and from there pass wire to your grow room
-add an 40 amps double breakers to connect an oven outlet and connect it to a t104 panel and from there make some 240v and 120v outlets...

Dunno if u understand... Msg me for more info.

Peace
 

frizfrazjaz

Well-Known Member
If you are with breakers you good. Old wires can run lights no probs. Dont run it on 120v (single breaker) u must run it on 240v (double breaker) it drop the amperages consumptions by 50%. So 600w on 120v use 5 amps and on 240v it use 2.5 amps. So you have some way to set your lights:

-Use baseboard convector wires to connects your outlet.
-check if you got 100 or 200 amps capacity in your panel than put a single breaker of 50 amps to power another electric panel and from there pass wire to your grow room
-add an 40 amps double breakers to connect an oven outlet and connect it to a t104 panel and from there make some 240v and 120v outlets...

Dunno if u understand... Msg me for more info.

Peace
I will check it out. Thanks.
Not sure if I can message yet.
Would my ballasts have to be 240 compatible?
 
Last edited:

frizfrazjaz

Well-Known Member
If its your own place then spend the money and have the wiring re done and up to date. It doesn't cost that much and may save a life.
Got quoted at $7000. Don’t have it laying around unfortunately. Besides, I did say I would consult an electrician.
 

Jypsy Dog

Well-Known Member
Hello RIU,
My house was built in 1920. The entire house was on an ungrounded loop. Two add on rooms have been built since. I run 3, 600 watt mh/hps at two separate tents.
The problem is I can’t power more than 1 light from any breaker.
How do you all consolidate your lights and electrical?
Am I kind of stuck in my predicament with the old wiring?
I realize I’ll need to consult an electrician. Just looking to downsize my electrical locations.
Insurance Companies LOVE Electrical Fires.... Easy to DENY CLAIM. When the SMOKE Clears, YOU were the cause of the FIRE!!
 

CobGrower

Member
I am assuming the $7000 was for the entire house? How much would it be to have an electrician install 1 new circuit for the room as long as the power to the house can support it?

Of course a house rewire would be the best option if one could afford it, but short term a new circuit for a grow room should let you sleep a little easier at night. I would be terrified of a house fire if I was running my grow off of 1920 wires, who knows how many critters have taken nips out of the insulation on the wires over nearly 100 years that under normal use may not be an issue but when you start to max out the wiring it could become one very quickly. A 10amp vaccuum shouldn’t be able to trip a 15amp circuit and if it does something is wrong somewhere.
 
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