I need some help

That is what you would be doing is wiring circuits. the main difference here is you will be putting in the breakers as well. Buy 20 amp breakers that are made for your box. The manufacturers name will be on the outside of the box. Remember that you are saving money by doing the work yourself so don't scrimp on parts. Use 12-3 cooper wire and spend the extra money for receptacles that have a 20 amp rating instead of the normal 15 amp. Set it up so each circuit has only one of the HIDs plugged into it. There will be enough power left to run the auxillary items. Just space out your other outlets around the area. As an example, in my flowering/ vegging area I have four seperate circuits and four duplex plug on each one so I could plug in 16 different items without overloading a circuit.

thanks victorvicious i owe you one this is great information

With 3 20 Amp dedicated circuts. You should have enough to run everything fine. Just a tip though, make sure that your outlets are all GFCI (Ground Fault Circut Interrupt) because it is just safer.

With 3 20 Amp dedicated circuts. You should have enough to run everything fine. Just a tip though, make sure that your outlets are all GFCI (Ground Fault Circut Interrupt) because it is just safer.

true, since you're working around water a GFCI would be optimal.

Yes we like to keep our members alive and kicking here.

Is that plant still alive. Your risking a title here.

You can buy 20-45amp timers online... there 45amps so there hella safe... after u get the guy to hook up the breaker... install the timer in ur grow area... and wire it up from ur garage... prefection... not only will you have a safe timer... but u can plug all 4 lights into it.. without worriing.. 4 400watt lights only pull maybe 20 amps.. not even... so a 45amp Timer with be great... and they setup easy...

do you think he'll ever be able to trip a breaker using a 45 amp timer? what size wire will he need to carry that load? Have you bought that big of wiring lately. Why would you want to put all his lights on one timer? What do you do when you have some flowering and some vegging unplug it from the timer? Kinda defeats the purpose. If he is going to set up an operation like this he will want more circuits not less. Flexability can be important when you are experimenting.

45 amp timer sounds like a 220 Volt system to my limited experience. You could run one, but why? I agree VV multiple circuts, multiple timers for multiple duty. Just get the right timer for the job not one of those rinky dink Home Depot Specials

your gonna need @ least 20 amp service those lights u mentioned = 18 amps

thanks guys for the help im going to have somebody come in and set the whole thing up and then ill plug everything in cant wait, thanks for the replies

small bite of the profits...but might save your life.

creative_mind said:

im growin quite a few plants......................i know how to get the wires out to my building but im not sure how to put it all together at the end.................and i was wondering does anyone know how many amps 3 100 watt flourescent lights and 4 400 watt high pressure sodium lights would be

Click to expand...

well i AM a licensed electrician

if u live in the u.s. u probably are running mostly everything on 120v...and watts are simply:

amps x volts = watts

so u have:

amps x 120v = 300w fluoro+ 1200w hps

or

amps x 120v = 1500w total

divide both sides by 120 and u get

12.5...

so actually all ur lighting will safely run on one 15amp breaker..

inorder to wire it, u need to measure the distance from your circuit box to the garage basement and buy the correct length and thickness wire, receptacles and safety devices u see fit to your circumstances. any joe schmoe can wire a house, but you need to be carefuly, and pull the main breaker b4 u wire, and double check your connections after you wire b4 u fire up

will my set up be obvious by the electric company??

no.

you need to worry about YOU telling people what you're doing, funny smells, and YOU getting messed up and getting into trouble(thumping the girlfriend, playing loud music, passing out in the front lawn, etc.)

the electric company will just think you turned up the thermostat because your grandpa is visiting.

Here is the best place to look for answers to doing your own electrical, lots of pics and step by step explanations , Be wise and use all precations when dealing with any electricity especialy circuit breakers, You are going to need a dedicated 15 amp breaker at least maybe a 20 amp depending on weather your ballasts are set up to run on 120 or not, and please be sure to turn the breaker off before you work on it.

Opps forgot the link here it is good luck.HammerZone.com - Home Improvement Info - Electrical, Plumbing, Kitchen, Bath, Workshop, Roofing, Siding, Windows, Doors And More.