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 westcoastdawg
Stranger
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 12
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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 what to tell electrician? 
#374110 - 02/26/10 02:17 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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i would like to be able to to have the capability to run 3 600w and one 250w. the area i'm going to need it to is in the basement laundry room within 30 ft of fuse box. this area has a 15amp for all the plugs there. i figure i can use those for pumps fans etc.
so what do i need to have done to run the lights in that area?
what should i tell an electrician so it doesnt sound suspicious? cause you know the first thing they are gonna ask is what's it for. any ideas on what i could say i'm gonna put there that needs (30amp?) that much juice?
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TomCollins
Registered: 10/06/09
Posts: 2,943
Last seen: 4 months, 11 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#374482 - 02/27/10 05:14 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Well first of all. Don't bring over an electrician. Sadly sir, your going to have to figure out how to do this yourself. If your going to be growing large, you should have a pretty decent knowledge of trades work: e.g. plumbing, electricity and carpentry.
If your incapable of trades work you should not be growing at all. Sorry.
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andyistic said:
Ok so let me bring you idiots up to speed.
The admins are tired of this shitfest being made the joke of the weed community on the Internet.
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 DrGreenThumb
 
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour 
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: TomCollins]
#374483 - 02/27/10 05:38 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Spency is right. If you don't know how to install a 30-amp breaker in your box then have an electrician do that BEFORE you start building your room.
From the breaker on, you are gonna have to figure out how to do some wiring. If I were you, I would figure out how to install the breaker myself also. Luckily I have someone I can ask for guidance on these things. In your case, I feel for you man.
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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Buddy Guy
Gone Rogue
Registered: 02/21/10
Posts: 196
Loc: Unknown
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#374486 - 02/27/10 07:01 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Good Morning. I don't know your living situation but one thing I can tell you to do is run extension cords off different breakers in your home down to the basement. If you have to be stealth. Be creative in finding ways to conceal cords running through your home. I have had to do this many times. Also it never hurts to be-friend an electrician. Another thing you may want to consider about your grow show is being so close to the main breaker box in case you have to have any maintenance done to your breaker box while your grow was operating. You may find yourself having to do a little explaining. Chances also are your electrician is not an idiot and can probably, very easily assume what you are up to.
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night train
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 162
Loc: Midwest, US
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Buddy Guy] 1
#374532 - 02/27/10 10:45 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Get it wired up right. DON'T run extension cords throughout your house! That's just asking for trouble. Watch the news, most house fires are caused by electrical troubles quite often by an over used extension cord.
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TomCollins
Registered: 10/06/09
Posts: 2,943
Last seen: 4 months, 11 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: night train]
#374548 - 02/27/10 11:17 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
night train said:
Get it wired up right. DON'T run extension cords throughout your house! That's just asking for trouble. Watch the news, most house fires are caused by electrical troubles quite often by an over used extension cord.
Smart guy. 
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andyistic said:
Ok so let me bring you idiots up to speed.
The admins are tired of this shitfest being made the joke of the weed community on the Internet.
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: night train]
#374549 - 02/27/10 11:18 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah, I would also advise against running extension cords. Good way to end up homeless.
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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westcoastdawg
Stranger
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 12
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: TomCollins]
#374690 - 02/27/10 04:02 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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its not that i'm a complete idiot lol. i can do a little plumbing and can build a few thing, but when it comes to electricity, i play it safe. i have a nice house and would hate to burn it down. i would just rather pay to have it done right. at least i didnt ask how many extension cords does it take to run, and how to hide them lol.
my utility room is 30ftx12ft. next to it is a finished basement with a hot tub. the pump to it in in the utility room. my plan is to have an electrician wire what i need BEFORE i move my cabinets in there, and plumbing.
maybe i could say i am getting a bigger hottub that needs more juice?
if you guys were paying for it what would you ask for him to do? 30amp and run wires near where "the hot tub will plug in" which is within 30 ft from breaker box. from there the only thing i want running through it is my timer for my lights.
i'm not a complete noob. i guess i could learn to do it my self, i could cut my own grass too, but id rather pay someone else to do it.
any help would be appreciated from the "jack of no trades"
thanks
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Buddy Guy
Gone Rogue
Registered: 02/21/10
Posts: 196
Loc: Unknown
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#374816 - 02/27/10 07:25 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hahaha. Let me be more specific. I am not talking about running one extension cord with a power strip for all four of your lights. That is silly and would pop the breaker every time. Using ohms law(Volts times Amps = Watts) a 600 watt light uses 5.5 amps of power. A 250 light uses only 2.2 amps. You say you have a nice house. Go have a look at you breaker box. I bet your breakers are 15 or 20 amp and 30 amp breakers. I was talking about utilizing the power supply you already have. Your house has several different breakers that supply different sections of the house. Find out what sections of the house are on what breakers. Then run one cord,per section(breaker), per light. Therefor I can still claim this to be safe. Safely. I am a complete DIYer. Due to my geographic location It is an absolute negative to ever show your grow or even insinuate anything about a grow. I understand wanting shell out the extra cash, and I do mean extra, for the added security of having a licensed professional installing your electric and the sheer laziness of not wanting to do it yourself. Your choice is your choice. I can respect what ever you choose to do. 
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Jeff Funk
Registered: 04/08/09
Posts: 546
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Buddy Guy]
#375017 - 02/28/10 06:44 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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If you insist on having someone else do it... Tell them you have a custom salt water tank being built and you need the extra amps to run the lighting for your tanks. I have a newly built house with tons of amperage, but the lights on my tank constantly knocked out the power once the timer kicked on. So when I added another breaker just to run my tanks there were no questions asked if you catch my drift.
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@Str8dankgenetics
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TomCollins
Registered: 10/06/09
Posts: 2,943
Last seen: 4 months, 11 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Jeff Funk]
#375019 - 02/28/10 06:49 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Jeff, suppose he doesn't live near a salt water source. Wouldn't that seem odd?
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andyistic said:
Ok so let me bring you idiots up to speed.
The admins are tired of this shitfest being made the joke of the weed community on the Internet.
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Jeff Funk
Registered: 04/08/09
Posts: 546
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: TomCollins]
#375023 - 02/28/10 07:11 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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No it wouldn't since I live no where near a salt water source, except for the local pet store or aquarium shop. Not to mention most people with salt water tanks mix the water themselves then test it before ading it to your tank. I have a 480 gallon tank I have yet to find a place that carries that much salt water.
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@Str8dankgenetics
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Crusty Ass Bastard
Pheno Hunting
Registered: 08/02/09
Posts: 786
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Buddy Guy]
#375025 - 02/28/10 08:00 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Don't run extension cords.
If you absolutely must use them (and if you're ever going to recommend someone else use them...) make sure they are 12-gauge or better. You (both?) need to read about ohm resistance, not ohms law. Besides the whole, you know, fire hazard thing, you might be surprised to learn how inefficient most extension cords and how much money they might already be losing you.
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pha3r0
Stranger
Registered: 12/21/09
Posts: 615
Last seen: 14 years, 20 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Buddy Guy]
#375043 - 02/28/10 08:57 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Buddy Guy said:
Hahaha. Let me be more specific. I am not talking about running one extension cord with a power strip for all four of your lights. That is silly and would pop the breaker every time. Using ohms law(Volts times Amps = Watts) a 600 watt light uses 5.5 amps of power. A 250 light uses only 2.2 amps. You say you have a nice house. Go have a look at you breaker box. I bet your breakers are 15 or 20 amp and 30 amp breakers. I was talking about utilizing the power supply you already have. Your house has several different breakers that supply different sections of the house. Find out what sections of the house are on what breakers. Then run one cord,per section(breaker), per light. Therefor I can still claim this to be safe. Safely. I am a complete DIYer. Due to my geographic location It is an absolute negative to ever show your grow or even insinuate anything about a grow. I understand wanting shell out the extra cash, and I do mean extra, for the added security of having a licensed professional installing your electric and the sheer laziness of not wanting to do it yourself. Your choice is your choice. I can respect what ever you choose to do.
Please for gods sake don't do this. You might have a 20amp curcuit in the laundry room, but guess what, that's because the laundry room needs 20amps, you start putting 50ft of extension coords together and pulling from that room as soon as you do laundry the breaker is gonna pop, or worse. DON'T DO THIS
Go to your local Lowes or HD and look right by the checkout for a book called Residential Wireing for dummies, seriously if you have done a little plumbing and know your way around some tools then it should make the job really easy. Just make sure you have your main cut off make sure you read through all the safety precautions and use new ROMEX wire not a recycled extension cord or something. Also if your gonna run a leg you might want to run a 240v leg you will save some power in the long run. Just be safe, be thorough and check it all out closely before flipping that main back on. The folks at your home store are also a wealth of knowledge and you can use the hottub excuse with them.
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"The proverb warns that, "You should not bite the hand that feeds you." But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself."
- Thomas Szasz
"if you arent good with electricity dont go touching it...ive electrocuted myself twice...its no fun"
- mhbound
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TomCollins
Registered: 10/06/09
Posts: 2,943
Last seen: 4 months, 11 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Jeff Funk]
#375046 - 02/28/10 09:03 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Jeff Funk said:
No it wouldn't since I live no where near a salt water source, except for the local pet store or aquarium shop. Not to mention most people with salt water tanks mix the water themselves then test it before ading it to your tank. I have a 480 gallon tank I have yet to find a place that carries that much salt water.
Then I have no clue what the point of one is.
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andyistic said:
Ok so let me bring you idiots up to speed.
The admins are tired of this shitfest being made the joke of the weed community on the Internet.
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Homosapian
DMT
Registered: 12/25/09
Posts: 484
Loc: Austin , TX
Last seen: 13 years, 9 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: TomCollins]
#375048 - 02/28/10 09:12 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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 i only pay 30 bucks per month on electricity... no matter how much i actually use , a friend of mines hacked into it ( can't be a digital one ) and all i have to do is after... hmmm 12 pm put a pin on top of it and it stops running  so basicly after 12 pm everyday i have free electricity ...
and if you get caught you dont get in trouble at all.. the electricity company just switches to a digital one.
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pha3r0
Stranger
Registered: 12/21/09
Posts: 615
Last seen: 14 years, 20 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Homosapian]
#375063 - 02/28/10 09:38 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Homosapian said:
i only pay 30 bucks per month on electricity... no matter how much i actually use , a friend of mines hacked into it ( can't be a digital one ) and all i have to do is after... hmmm 12 pm put a pin on top of it and it stops running so basicly after 12 pm everyday i have free electricity ...
and if you get caught you dont get in trouble at all.. the electricity company just switches to a digital one.
Also, don't do this
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"The proverb warns that, "You should not bite the hand that feeds you." But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself."
- Thomas Szasz
"if you arent good with electricity dont go touching it...ive electrocuted myself twice...its no fun"
- mhbound
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westcoastdawg
Stranger
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 12
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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 Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: pha3r0]
#375087 - 02/28/10 10:17 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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ok so some of my advice has been running extension cords from other parts of the house and to steal electricity. to each their own and i really hope the best for them, i just like to cover my ass a little better and safer. but if it works for others, more power.
Residential Wireing for dummies sounds like what i'm gonna do. it really sounds simple enough if i do it right and safe.
running a 240v does sound like a good idea. so would i need a special timer for that. does 240 have to have the big dryer plug? sorry for the stupid question, but i am buying a "for dummies" book lol
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pha3r0
Stranger
Registered: 12/21/09
Posts: 615
Last seen: 14 years, 20 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#375090 - 02/28/10 10:25 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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haha it's okay better ask a lot of questions then have a fire or something. I don't know on the plug thing the only 240v lines I have ever run were for a press and thermographer which each used the large plug. but my common sense says it doesn't matter. as for the timer yeah you will need a timer built for 240v. prolly a bit more but also prolly better quality in general then christmas light timers.
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"The proverb warns that, "You should not bite the hand that feeds you." But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself."
- Thomas Szasz
"if you arent good with electricity dont go touching it...ive electrocuted myself twice...its no fun"
- mhbound
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Dephect
Registered: 06/25/08
Posts: 740
Last seen: 2 years, 11 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: pha3r0]
#375092 - 02/28/10 10:29 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah if your ever caught for splicing into the electricity while your growing your punishment will be doubled. Some options, look on Craigslist if your going to hire a electrician. I don't know if your in a MMJ state or not but there are people who post ads on CL specifically for wiring extra breakers for grow rooms. Even if you don't live in a MMJ state, the people on CL are kind of desperate out of work people so they really won't ask a lot of questions, besides the usual conversation starter. They might ask you what its for but they really don't care.
If that happens even.. BE CONVINCING, even to yourself. Look up something called social engineering. Know your story and know everything about it. Bore them to death with stories about vacations and kids even though there are none on the house. If you are really annoying they will want to get out of there faster. Don't seem like the stoner type, everything will be okay when it comes to someone working in your home on something.
The other option however would be to do it yourself. I'm certain you can read up on it and do it yourself.
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Jeff Funk
Registered: 04/08/09
Posts: 546
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: TomCollins]
#375194 - 02/28/10 12:37 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Spency said:
Quote:
Jeff Funk said:
No it wouldn't since I live no where near a salt water source, except for the local pet store or aquarium shop. Not to mention most people with salt water tanks mix the water themselves then test it before adding it to your tank. I have a 480 gallon tank I have yet to find a place that carries that much salt water.
Then I have no clue what the point of one is.
Are you serious? What is the point of any other fish tank? For decoration or personal enjoyment I would think. Maybe I don't understand what you meant in your questions... Do people have salt water aquariums in Germany? The point is... if he can't or don't want to do the electrical work him/herself that could be an adequate excuse for needing another breaker without rising suspicion. I don't think an electrician will search the yellow pages and see if there's places to supply you with water to fill your tank before performing the work needed.
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@Str8dankgenetics
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TomCollins
Registered: 10/06/09
Posts: 2,943
Last seen: 4 months, 11 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Jeff Funk]
#375203 - 02/28/10 12:51 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Oh shit I'm so sorry, I completely misunderstood you! I was thinking "Salt water tank? With lights? This guy must have one of those salt water purifiers." Then I guess some how, I rationalized that you had a solar powered salt water purifier, but ran lights on it.  I dunno...
Again, my apologies. Wow, excuse my retardedness please. 
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andyistic said:
Ok so let me bring you idiots up to speed.
The admins are tired of this shitfest being made the joke of the weed community on the Internet.
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Buddy Guy
Gone Rogue
Registered: 02/21/10
Posts: 196
Loc: Unknown
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#375234 - 02/28/10 01:56 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
206 said:
Don't run extension cords.
If you absolutely must use them (and if you're ever going to recommend someone else use them...) make sure they are 12-gauge or better. You (both?) need to read about ohm resistance, not ohms law. Besides the whole, you know, fire hazard thing, you might be surprised to learn how inefficient most extension cords and how much money they might already be losing you.
Ah. I have done this a few times in the past using these principals. Realizing that my ideas are not for every one. I am not gonna argue with you. I was only trying to help by sharing some of my experiences. I didn't consider ohm resistance. That is probably why my electric was so high. subject.Quote:
westcoastdawg said:
ok so some of my advice has been running extension cords from other parts of the house and to steal electricity. to each their own and i really hope the best for them, i just like to cover my ass a little better and safer. but if it works for others, more power.
Residential Wireing for dummies sounds like what i'm gonna do. it really sounds simple enough if i do it right and safe.
running a 240v does sound like a good idea. so would i need a special timer for that. does 240 have to have the big dryer plug? sorry for the stupid question, but i am buying a "for dummies" book lol
Respect bro. Sounds like you got this. Don't steal. It's unethical, of coarse and stealing electricity's the way 90% of indoor, clandestine, operations are discovered.. But you knew that.
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westcoastdawg
Stranger
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 12
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: pha3r0]
#375280 - 02/28/10 03:00 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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i looked a little into what is needed and how to do it. it looks fairly simple to wire it into the box.
for 240v i should use #10 wire, but i'm not sure what i wire to the other end. my lights are on the way and say they they are capable of running off 120 and 240. so can i just put a 3 prong plug box at that end? i guess i really dont know the difference between the 2, except 240 can run more. i dont know what to put at other end.
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SpaceMonkey
Mind Pilot
Registered: 02/09/09
Posts: 3,471
Loc: Hawaiian Islands
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#375288 - 02/28/10 03:24 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Extension cords and stealing electricity is just plain stupid!!!! 
First off if you run a small ass extension cord like the ones you buy in a hardware store or walmart and run these big lamps off them, you are creating a fire hazard. Feel the cord sometime while the light has been running.
Second, stealing electricity is asking for major trouble! Stuff like this gets people busted. Eventually someone will notice something wrong, investigate and possibly get L.E.O. involved and then possibly find your grow.
To the OP, The best advice i have read in this thread is to get it wired before hand or do it yourself if you can. They need not know the true reasons for having this done and anything could be used as an excuse. Extra washing machine or whatever. Just have it done before you decide to build your room and all is well.
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  Don't Mistake My Kindness For Weakness
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: SpaceMonkey]
#375335 - 02/28/10 04:28 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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I'd use the hot tub excuse. Who installs an EXTRA dryer or washing machine?
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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DudeTron
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 407
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#375357 - 02/28/10 04:43 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yes, you'd run your circuit to outlets and switches... If you want multiple outlets in different locations, just use a junction box from a convenient mid-point location to your panel. Then run from your j-box to your outlets... The outlets are designed to be easy to install, and I think you'll be able to figure it out when you get to lookin at it.
I would go 120 for simplicity if your ballasts run both. The breaker and outlets are probably cheaper for one.
Also, I'd suggest doing a professional job. Use metal j-boxes and 10/2 MC (metal coated) wire if you're going to leave your runs exposed and not in the wall. The blue ones are for romex and being fully installed in the drywall.
ALso, if you DO decide to hire someone after all, I'd go the craigslist route. There's alot of tradesmen all over the country hurtin for work right now and you could get someone to hook up your fish tank for you for cheap.
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westcoastdawg
Stranger
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 12
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: DudeTron]
#375565 - 02/28/10 07:55 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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so the 120 would be cheaper and easier.
is there an advantage in running 240 instead?
i looked at craiglist and wow there are a lot of people willing to do some work. if i go this route, should i have him do 240? can 240 have regular plugs or just the big odd looking ones?
thanks
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DudeTron
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 407
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#375849 - 03/01/10 03:34 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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As far as I know, there's not actually any difference. 240 is really just 120X2. It's mostly a matter of international standards, and in the case of appliances they just need the extra power.
240 can only have weird plugs, but adapters exist.
Also 240 breakers are like a double pole breaker and take just as many panel slots as multiple 120v
Some stoners on another board did mention that when you run higher voltage, there's slightly less power lost via heat making it more efficient, but that it was negligible in our circumstances.
I still think you could do it though man... I'd suggest doing a little reading about it and asking the guy at home depot for some advice. Last resort have one of those electricians come over and "bid" the job, and work him for info. Float dude $20 for his time and take over. Or, have all the materials ready, make it $50 and a half rack and I'll bet he'd just do it.
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pha3r0
Stranger
Registered: 12/21/09
Posts: 615
Last seen: 14 years, 20 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: DudeTron]
#375903 - 03/01/10 08:46 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah I know if you called my ad (if i had one and if I were an electician) and offered me a 6er and a jackson to help you out and not ask questions I would do it. tradesmen are up shit creek right now well do just about anything. plus most tradesmen, younger ones anyways, are very open minded.
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"The proverb warns that, "You should not bite the hand that feeds you." But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself."
- Thomas Szasz
"if you arent good with electricity dont go touching it...ive electrocuted myself twice...its no fun"
- mhbound
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Jeff Funk
Registered: 04/08/09
Posts: 546
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: pha3r0]
#375928 - 03/01/10 10:27 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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I heard using 240v comes out to be slightly cheaper. I bought a power box that plugs into a 240v dryer outlet, and then into a regular 120v outlet to run the timers. This box runs 4 1000watters.
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@Str8dankgenetics
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pha3r0
Stranger
Registered: 12/21/09
Posts: 615
Last seen: 14 years, 20 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Jeff Funk]
#375933 - 03/01/10 10:30 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Don't quote me on this but I believe the reason you save power using 240v is that the current drop is less over the length of the power cords. I sure wish I had payed attention all the times my boss made me do electrical work to fill in for slow trim work.
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"The proverb warns that, "You should not bite the hand that feeds you." But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself."
- Thomas Szasz
"if you arent good with electricity dont go touching it...ive electrocuted myself twice...its no fun"
- mhbound
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VictorMaitland
Big Bad Wolf who needs his bacon
Registered: 02/10/10
Posts: 4
Last seen: 14 years, 6 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: pha3r0]
#376019 - 03/01/10 11:40 AM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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Theres lots of things that would require you to put in a new circuit, tell the electrician that you're going to start blowing glass or sculpting clay and you need a circuit for the kiln to fire them in. Those things draw some major wattage, you could prolly get him to do it 240 this way too. I have a book called Home Repair and it tells me exactly how to run a new circuit, i would suggest getting a book on how to do it if you do decide to do it yourself.
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A Big bad wolf who needs his bacon... bags filled up with that Victor Maitland.
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westcoastdawg
Stranger
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 12
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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ok, so i got a buddy at work to help me, for the hot tub. he said he can come over for some beer.
i'm gonna tell him 240v is the route i wanna go.
thanks for all the advise guys. hopefully the 240 saves a buck or two
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Buddy Guy
Gone Rogue
Registered: 02/21/10
Posts: 196
Loc: Unknown
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: westcoastdawg]
#377517 - 03/02/10 11:16 PM (14 years, 1 month ago) |
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240 volts will definitely save you a buck or two.
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boomsaway
Registered: 04/25/09
Posts: 95
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: Buddy Guy]
#400277 - 04/12/10 06:57 PM (14 years, 16 days ago) |
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ok, before this thread truly dies...
When i was working with a certain company that deals with 240v and 480v
i was told by one worker that 240v in the house is great because u can use it to
move more amps to a certain room then split it into a couple 120v
Im no electrician but this makes total sense to me,
u can run ur power via 240v then in ur room u can split it to run multiple lights on 120v
or of course, just run on the 240v, but then ur lacking outlets for other stuff like fans, pumps, etc.
or maybe that dude was wrong
anyway...
did u end up paying for it?
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SpaceMonkey
Mind Pilot
Registered: 02/09/09
Posts: 3,471
Loc: Hawaiian Islands
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: boomsaway]
#400422 - 04/12/10 10:55 PM (14 years, 15 days ago) |
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I'm not sure where you all are at, but around my house and most other U.S. homes it is a 110 and 220v. And from my basic knowledge of electricity, if you run a 220v circuit, it is gonna stay 220v. You may be able to step it down in voltage and split it to 110 if you use resistor's of some sort.
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Don't Mistake My Kindness For Weakness
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TomCollins
Registered: 10/06/09
Posts: 2,943
Last seen: 4 months, 11 days
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: SpaceMonkey]
#400454 - 04/13/10 12:36 AM (14 years, 15 days ago) |
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Quote:
SpaceMonkey said:
You may be able to step it down in voltage and split it to 110 if you use resistor's of some sort.
Wrong. That's what step down transformers are for.
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andyistic said:
Ok so let me bring you idiots up to speed.
The admins are tired of this shitfest being made the joke of the weed community on the Internet.
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: SpaceMonkey]
#400479 - 04/13/10 05:42 AM (14 years, 15 days ago) |
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Quote:
SpaceMonkey said:
I'm not sure where you all are at, but around my house and most other U.S. homes it is a 110 and 220v.
Not true. This is from wikipedia.org. Its the International Electrotechnical Commission standards. They are based in Switzerland but set the standards for electricity for most of the planet.
IEC 60038: Three-phase 60 Hz
* 120 V / 208 V
* 240 V
* 277 V / 480 V
* 480 V
* 347 V / 600 V
* 600 V
One-phase, three-wire 60 Hz
* 120 V / 240 V
The one we use is the One-phase, 3-wire 60Hz. 120V and 240V.
I do remember it being 110/220 back when I was a kid. Not sure when the standards changed though. Or maybe we were all lied to as kids?
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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SpaceMonkey
Mind Pilot
Registered: 02/09/09
Posts: 3,471
Loc: Hawaiian Islands
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: DrGreenThumb]
#400585 - 04/13/10 12:23 PM (14 years, 15 days ago) |
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Quote:
I do remember it being 110/220 back when I was a kid. Not sure when the standards changed though. Or maybe we were all lied to as kids?
Wow, they changed it????
See i had taken a couple electrian classes back in highschool. And it was 110 and 220 what they taught us. So what is the point of getting schooled, if by the time your done they decide to change it all up? Sorry for the mis info!! like i said they trained us with them voltages.
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Don't Mistake My Kindness For Weakness
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: SpaceMonkey]
#400665 - 04/13/10 02:12 PM (14 years, 15 days ago) |
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Yeah I know. I was taught it was 110/220 also. When I saw 120/240 one day I was like WTF is this? Checked it out and it just happened to be fact. Funny how it seemed to slip by me for so long.
I was taking to my girl the other day about someone being involved in some company and she was like, "I never heard that before." So I googled it and found out that they never had anything to do with each other. I don't know why that info stuck with me but it was totally wrong! Makes me wonder what else I've "learned" that was totally false. 
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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Data
That Guy
Registered: 08/12/08
Posts: 3,981
Loc: Southwestern US
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Re: what to tell electrician? [Re: DrGreenThumb]
#400748 - 04/13/10 04:19 PM (14 years, 15 days ago) |
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Power companies have multiple meters to check back on how much power is running into a neighborhood vs. how much the summed readings off of all the house meters and begin to narrow down who is stealing power.
240V is more efficient over long wire lengths, and is explained by the power loss equation P=(I^2)R, where I is the current (Amps), R is the resistance (constant for same gauge and length wire), and P is the lost power that was converted to heat.
240V needs a weird plug because it has double the arc length...so wiring and circuitry to handle only 120V power can result in a 240V electrical arc across wires, which on a 20 amp circuit could result in 4800W of electricity released all at once. The conductor spacing must be doubled when using 240V service, therefore they make it hard for someone to plug a 120V appliance into a 240V plug 
As for wiring for residential using 240V...good luck, thats beyond my knowledge base...
peace,
agmotes165
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“The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you” -NDT
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