I have a bit of situation... electrician/Hvac

[legaleyes13]

What would I ask of an electrician if I wanted to run 4,570 watts of light (4,000 flower, 450 veg, 125 clone), a Co2 gen, and 16,000 BTU mini split in a bedroom? To complicate matters, this would be done in a duplex, so I wouldn't want this to affect my neighbors upstairs. I don't know anything about electrical, so I don't know if messing with the breaker box, has anything to do with my neighbors.

Oh yeah, I'd have to figure 5 1,200 gph water pumps into the electrical load as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[Natural]

do you share the bill? if not there should be 2 meters = 2 bills = 2 panels.

 

[Texas Kid]

Shouldn't have to ask an electrician very much at all, thats not that much stuff and your current setup will probably handle it if your incoming is only 100amps...if you have your own seperate 200amp panel for your unit you can run 4 times that with no problems..the a/c is the kicker

 

[legaleyes13]

do you share the bill? if not there should be 2 meters = 2 bills = 2 panels.

Thanks. Good to know.

 

[legaleyes13]

Shouldn't have to ask an electrician very much at all, thats not that much stuff and your current setup will probably handle it if your incoming is only 100amps...if you have your own seperate 200amp panel for your unit you can run 4 times that with no problems..the a/c is the kicker

My current setup will handle that many watts in one room?

 

[Texas Kid]

The a/c may have to be on a dedicated plug to keep from trippin a breaker....I would map your circuit real quick and see what plugs are which breaker...you may have the whole room on one 20amp circuit or the overhead light and wall outlets may be on a seperate breaker but mappin it is a good place to start.....it gets a little tricky if your runnin all you ballast at 110v plugged into the wall, a 4 lamp 220v controller would be the way to go like a MLC4, it only draws 30amps total and is under $100..then you can plug everything else into the 110v wall outlets

 

[legaleyes13]

The a/c may have to be on a dedicated plug to keep from trippin a breaker....I would map your circuit real quick and see what plugs are which breaker...you may have the whole room on one 20amp circuit or the overhead light and wall outlets may be on a seperate breaker but mappin it is a good place to start.....it gets a little tricky if your runnin all you ballast at 110v plugged into the wall, a 4 lamp 220v controller would be the way to go like a MLC4, it only draws 30amps total and is under $100..then you can plug everything else into the 110v wall outlets

I already have a 4 lamp 220 v controller. But wouldn't I need an electrician to do some work to make the room capable of accepting 220v? I really am completely ignorant when it comes to this electrical stuff, so if you could explain this to me as if I know absolutely nothing, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[Natural]

Med state shouldn't be a problem to hire someone to help you. If not you need to learn how or befriend someone who does. It could be as simple as using a dryer hook up to hard-wire your controller, at least for the lights. It's important that when you do wiring that you are sure of what you are doing. I highly recommend getting a basic wiring handbook and research how residential electricity works. Something complicated can become simplified if you apply your intelligence and time.

 

[legaleyes13]

I know

Med state shouldn't be a problem to hire someone to help you. If not you need to learn how or befriend someone who does. It could be as simple as using a dryer hook up to hard-wire your controller, at least for the lights. It's important that when you do wiring that you are sure of what you are doing. I highly recommend getting a basic wiring handbook and research how residential electricity works. Something complicated can become simplified if you apply your intelligence and time.

I'm aware that it would work with a dryer hook up, but I can't use the basement where the dryer hook up would be. I'd need to get one installed in a spare bedroom. This is why I'm looking for advice on what to request from the electrician. I'm so in the dark about this whole thing, that I don't even know if what I'm asking for would sound, suspicious, stupid, dangerous, random or whatever.

I'm probably not gonna befriend any electricians, I'm really just looking to hire one to do the job and get on with his life. So how would you guys go about asking an electrician to get the job done, considering I have the 4 lamp 220v controller and need a 16,000 btu mini split installed?

 

[Natural]

I don't want to sound condescending or mean..but you need to learn the basics..period. Running a grow-show is going to present issues that need to be dealt with..this includes electrical. Do the best you can and see how many answers you can figure out on your own first. Learn Ohms Law so you can calculate your running amps from voltage and wattage. Then it's easy to calculate a total load before you plan putting in a "load center" or sub-panel to the grow area from the panel(breaker box)...if that's what you plan to do and it sounds like you should. Since it is a duplex it's likely to be a 100 amp panel. Seeing you have many items to plug in, I don't recommend having extension cords running all over to suit your needs. Assuming you won't be living there and using other big ticket items the load shouldn't be a problem...regardless at some point you want to understand your total possible draw at any given time and the 80% load rule that we use on circuits and for the total draw on the panel. No person wants to do this for you..you're the one with the appliances that have the watts and voltage..you should have it all broken down on a list..220v and 120v items and highest amp draw.

 

[legaleyes13]

I don't want to sound condescending or mean..but you need to learn the basics..period. Running a grow-show is going to present issues that need to be dealt with..this includes electrical. Do the best you can and see how many answers you can figure out on your own first. Learn Ohms Law so you can calculate your running amps from voltage and wattage. Then it's easy to calculate a total load before you plan putting in a "load center" or sub-panel to the grow area from the panel(breaker box)...if that's what you plan to do and it sounds like you should. Since it is a duplex it's likely to be a 100 amp panel. Seeing you have many items to plug in, I don't recommend having extension cords running all over to suit your needs. Assuming you won't be living there and using other big ticket items the load shouldn't be a problem...regardless at some point you want to understand your total possible draw at any given time and the 80% load rule that we use on circuits and for the total draw on the panel. No person wants to do this for you..you're the one with the appliances that have the watts and voltage..you should have it all broken down on a list..220v and 120v items and highest amp draw.

Don't worry about it man, I appreciate your help. I am a little shocked that 4,500 watt (lights) grow is looking like such a chore to get wired up. I really didn't think this was gonna be a big deal for a licensed electrician to get done.

 

[Natural]

How have you run it in the past? If you're not in a med state condos..apts..and duplex's are a bad idea. Be safe..especially with other lives in the building! Do it right and have a pro install.

 

[Natural]

Thing is with that big of grow..sealed..automated. You should have more knowledge..it makes me nervous to give out advice..don't want to steer you wrong.
..and you're right 4 lights shouldn't be a problem...but I don't know your circumstance.

 

[Texas Kid]

If your in a med state just tell the sparky that you need a 220v lighting controller hooked up in you spare bedroom..pretty easy or if ya want to stay under the radar a little just tell them you want to use a 220v window unit in that room occasionally and need a 30amp outlet in there

 

[legaleyes13]

Thing is with that big of grow..sealed..automated. You should have more knowledge..it makes me nervous to give out advice..don't want to steer you wrong.
..and you're right 4 lights shouldn't be a problem...but I don't know your circumstance.

I've been growing for years, maybe not as long as you and certainly not long enough to consider myself an expert, but I grow good stuff. I've been fortunate enough to have only grown in one place. My current basement, which was equipped to handle my electrical load before I even moved in, so I never needed to know a thing about electricity. Now that I'm moving I no longer have the luxury of being ignorant to how the electrical side of things work. Under no circumstances would I wire anything on my own, hence this thread, so feel free to give me whatever advice you have and I'll take it for what it's worth.

Thanks for your help and patience, but again, please let me know if you see me heading down the wrong path with this whole electric stuff.

 

[legaleyes13]

If your in a med state just tell the sparky that you need a 220v lighting controller hooked up in you spare bedroom..pretty easy or if ya want to stay under the radar a little just tell them you want to use a 220v window unit in that room occasionally and need a 30amp outlet in there

Great. Concrete advice. Exactly what I've been looking for.

And just to be really clear. Do all 30 amp outlets look like dryer outlets? And would the typical bedroom require electrical work to accommodate a 16,000 btu a/c?

 

[organicozarks]

It is very easy to do what you are wanting to do.

Youtube is your friend.

 

[Natural]

Let's break it down on the AC a bit. You have a choice of 120v or 230v (220). The smaller 12K BTU units are gonna be the 120v and the bigger units are gonna want 230v. It's just like the window bangers...except you'll need to have freon lines installed by vacuum and they will punch a couple small holes for the lines to go to the outside unit. They draw alot of juice and that is why they should have their own circuit. You can have all this done before the room is built with no need for any explanation to anyone.


The plug will look like this...

That is a 230v plug 20 amp.
Next let's look at the units...

Scroll down to "electrical data"..you'll see what they recommend. It's that easy.



Now let's go back to your other needs. Do you have an electric stove? If you do I;m willing to bet it is 50Amps @ 220v. This will give you all the wiggle room you need for lights and fans and everything else. All you need is to explain to a guy who builds custom controllers and he will design a "load center" that will have all the right plugs for 220v lights and 120v fans etc...all on the 50 amp stove circuit. You just ask for the right length whip(power cord) to plug into the stove receptacle and you are on your way. That's my best advice with the info I am working with...and I think matches your skill set when it comes to wiring. Plug and play is easy peasy...plus you have no worries after you run out of room on a 30 amp 220v circuit( dryer) after you plug in your 4 lights.

 

[Natural]

Also, the weakest link in the whole system is that mini split AC. It could work for years with no problems..but just because it costs almost 2G's does not mean they are fool proof. Some of them break down within a year and with normal use. So, it would be good to have a guy install it that would come back and work on it if need be.

 

[legaleyes13]

Let's break it down on the AC a bit. You have a choice of 120v or 230v (220). The smaller 12K BTU units are gonna be the 120v and the bigger units are gonna want 230v. It's just like the window bangers...except you'll need to have freon lines installed by vacuum and they will punch a couple small holes for the lines to go to the outside unit. They draw alot of juice and that is why they should have their own circuit. You can have all this done before the room is built with no need for any explanation to anyone.


The plug will look like this...

View attachment 331033

That is a 230v plug 20 amp.
Next let's look at the units...

Scroll down to "electrical data"..you'll see what they recommend. It's that easy.



Now let's go back to your other needs. Do you have an electric stove? If you do I;m willing to bet it is 50Amps @ 220v. This will give you all the wiggle room you need for lights and fans and everything else. All you need is to explain to a guy who builds custom controllers and he will design a "load center" that will have all the right plugs for 220v lights and 120v fans etc...all on the 50 amp stove circuit. You just ask for the right length whip(power cord) to plug into the stove receptacle and you are on your way. That's my best advice with the info I am working with...and I think matches your skill set when it comes to wiring. Plug and play is easy peasy...plus you have no worries after you run out of room on a 30 amp 220v circuit( dryer) after you plug in your 4 lights.

As far as the mini split is concerned, do I have to keep the outside unit outside? Can I just put it in another room?

And I'm not sure about the electrical stove. I just saw the place for the first time the other day. I'll find out and if so I'll take your advice.