Running ballast through surge protector

i've read alot about plugging the ballast directly into the wall to save risk of fires but i have 1 power outlet in my room with 1 plug, I literally need to run it on this unless i run extension cords from another room to power my exhaust fan. it says max 500w and ill be running 400w mh/hps can i still run it with the exhaust fan on the same board even if i just have those 2 plugged in, or is it safe to run those + an oscillating fan and maybe an air pump.

Or would i need something more high duty all together?

I run my entire room thru a surge protector. I got a good contractor grade surge protector from Home Depot. I have been doing this for almost 5 years and have never regretted it. Peace of mind .

If it says 500 max then the 400 watt light is all I would run on it. Ballasts are a continuous load for 12-18 hrs and more. So 75% of the recommended max is all I would run.

dadio161 said:

I run my entire room thru a surge protector. I got a good contractor grade surge protector from Home Depot. I have been doing this for almost 5 years and have never regretted it. Peace of mind .

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I concur. Buy something heavy duty. I even bought an extension cord with 12 gauge wire just for piece of mind. And I doubt my box pulls more than 400 watts total. I figure these type things are going to last a long time and will be used again and again so that piece of mind is important.

This is what I use and it's good for 15 amps. Has 4 timed outlets, 4 always on. Costs about $20 $25 bucks.

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-8-Outlet-Home-Entertainment-Surge-Protector-Auto-Off-Safety/3307886/specs

Run a splitter from your outlet, plug the fan into one receptacle, and run the surge protector off of the other receptacle. Run your light off of the surge protector.

warble said:

Run a splitter from your outlet, plug the fan into one receptacle, and run the surge protector off of the other receptacle. Run your light off of the surge protector.

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Meh. Terrible cheesy advice. Get a good heavy duty surge protector. Janking up the situation with just more plug in BS is what causes electrical fires to begin with. Just do it right and get some safe stuff. Electrical is not playing with LEGO blocks.

I notice in your photo that you have "Type I" style plugs and sockets...which is standard for Australia and New Zealand. It is my understanding that the standard power outlet in Australia and New Zealand provides a nominal voltage of 230 volts at a maximum of 10 amps. I would think that a 2400 watts surge protector should be available in your country.

i've got a similar power board. Is it one where if the device plugged into the grey socket turns off, everything marked slave turns off?

Have a look on the back of the plugboard... on the back of mine it says 2400w/10amp max. It also says 500w max on the grey coloured socket (and I run my exhaust fan from this)

I bought a plug in power usage meter and with the 400w ballast, exhaust fan (canfan 460m3h), and oscillating fan I'm drawing 540 watts and 2.2 amps. The whole shebang is running off a 15m heavy duty extension cable.

Hope that info can help you out somewhat...

I'd recommend a whole house surge protector, they just take up a couple slots in your electric box. Still should have more protection on computers and stuff.