power box dpc 7500

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cheech

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I have a power box dpc 7500 on the way that will control six 1000 watt 240 volt ballasts. I'm a bit concerned now that the 30 amp breaker in the dpc 7500 won't be able to handle the roughly 30 amps from the six ballasts.

I sent power box an e-mail and they were extremely vague.


Original message:

I ordered a DPC-7500 with the intent to run six 1000 watt 240 volt ballasts. These ballasts will run 24/hrs and will be plugged into relays allowing me to have have two flower rooms.

I'm now concerned that the 30 amp breaker is not enough. People have told me that when you are running a load continuously you should only use 80% of the breaker capacity. 80% of 30 amps is 24 amps. Six 1000 watt 240 volt ballasts use almost 30 amps. Were those extra two 240 volt receptacles not meant to power ballasts?

I am assuming you will give me an answer based off of tested results. Please let me know whether I should upgrade my controller. Thank you.


Response:

You install a 40A beaker at your panel


Any of you using a power box light controller? Any thoughts on powering a 30 amp controller with a 40 amp breaker?

Thanks
 
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cheech

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Here's my response to that message they sent me. Hopefully they will be more clear.

Ok, I install a 40 amp breaker, but the powerbox has a 30 amp breaker hooked up to it right? How will that effect how it runs. Is the unit capable of handling a 30 amp load 24/7 indefinitely(until a ballast breaks or your timer). My ballasts have been running 24/7 for 6 months, I want to make sure this unit is capable of supplying them the load they need.

That last message of yours was a bit vague for a company that is interested in holding on to its customers.

Please answer these two specific questions.

1) If the power box dpc 7500 has a 30 amp breaker, will 30 amps of power trip it or cause any electrical problems (hot wires that cause a fire).

2) Is the controller capable of handling 30 continuous amps indefinitely.

 
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cymbaline

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Your line from that breaker needs to be able to support 40 amp as well.
I'm sure you probably know that. Their customer support should have
been much more open with the information.
You can't just replace a 30 amp breaker with something higher rated..
Well you could but it is strongly not recommended and against code..
Even if their box can handle 30 amp continuous; the power source to that box
needs a 40 amp breaker on the main panel and the wire needs to be at
least 8-2 that runs from the main panel to their power box.
 
sgt. schultz

sgt. schultz

282
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Dude, you been running 24/7 for 6 months without even tripping a breaker. Some times the answer is right in front of you and you become a nuisance customer and a company has to decide if the amount of profit they make off of a particular customer alone is enough to offset the amount of aggravation inflicted by that customer. 6 months no problems and annoying questions with snotty follow ups ("for a company that is interested in holding on to its customers") after that customer got a "vague" and polite answer to a question that didn't even merit asking after their product has performed as advertised. And cymbaline, he has had no problems without switching to 40 amp at panel for 6 months. Maybe just another whiner wrongfully badmouthing a decent company.
 
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cheech

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i'm now under the impression that the powerbox itself doesn't have a breaker like some other timers, which is why they want it setup to a 40 amp breaker.

schultz i think you were assuming that i had been running the powerbox with all six ballasts running continuously for the past 6 months. the powerbox isn't installed, and i'm currently only running three ballasts 24/7.... it's ok.. i forgive you. :) no need for you to respond.

anyone out there run one of these?
 
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cheech

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Got an appropriate response from powerbox.

No - that model has no breaker in it. For our larger models like
dpc15000 and dpc12000 those are 100% rated breakers - you compensate
with a larger breaker at the panel to account for the 80% rule for
normal breakers

Thread closed.
 
R

RMCG

2,050
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Check that 'existing' 30A circuits wire gauge.

It needs to be 8# not 10# before you just go and swap out a breaker.

:sign0065:
 
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cheech

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there was never a 30 amp breaker. i was willing to downside my 40 amp for a 30 amp if the powerbox had an internal 30 amp breaker. now that i know it doesn't come equipped with a breaker like some of their larger units, i will stick to the plan of replacing my two 20 amp single pole breakers with one 20 amp double pole breaker. don't worry i'll use 8 ga wire.
 
Midnight_son

Midnight_son

Premium Member
Supporter
219
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Sound's like you got it dialed in bro. Once you got it up ad runnin for a while, give us a little review of that unit. :nod
 
DeRail

DeRail

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I was looking at these Powerboxs a few weeks ago and did some research for reviews on them and remember reading something about the timer failing on a a lot of units. and complaints of them being cheaply made.I was originally was looking at getting 4 flip boxes from them.
 
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cheech

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yea i read one review on the flip box on icmag and the dude said it failed but they sent him another one and it worked fine.. i read something on here saying the units were cheaply made, suggesting that the insides had electrical tape and shit on them.. then someone said that was a post made by some dude that sells custom timers.. idk.. but i'll have this hooked up soon and i'll let you know what my thoughts are on it.

i have not been able to find any reviews on the powerbox light timers unfortunately. i kind of regret not getting the more expensive 50 amp timer that i believe is made my eco plus. but hey hopefully it works great.

derail i'd be happy to send you a picture that shows you exactly how to wire the dp relays for a flip... it is sooo easy.. i'll show you where you buy the relays and where to buy the sun system plugs that allow your relay to be compatible with sun system equipment. or if you run hydrofarm just buy their plugs/sockets. hit me up if you're interested. each relay cost about 40-50 and takes 15 mins to wire.
 
DeRail

DeRail

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to my understanding not all relays are compatible with the new digital ballast I use nextgen ballasts. wiring a relay is not hard at all i have done a hundred of them from 12V to 277V. I am a electrician by trade I just like the clean look. and don't want to spend the time building the pretty boxes lol lazy i guess but it is like the mechanic not wanting to work on his car after working on other peoples cars all day
I you know of a relay that will work with these new ballast let me know i might just build my own.
 
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mc1969

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cheech said:
yea i read one review on the flip box on icmag and the dude said it failed but they sent him another one and it worked fine.. i read something on here saying the units were cheaply made, suggesting that the insides had electrical tape and shit on them.. then someone said that was a post made by some dude that sells custom timers.. idk.. but i'll have this hooked up soon and i'll let you know what my thoughts are on it.

i have not been able to find any reviews on the powerbox light timers unfortunately. i kind of regret not getting the more expensive 50 amp timer that i believe is made my eco plus. but hey hopefully it works great.

derail i'd be happy to send you a picture that shows you exactly how to wire the dp relays for a flip... it is sooo easy.. i'll show you where you buy the relays and where to buy the sun system plugs that allow your relay to be compatible with sun system equipment. or if you run hydrofarm just buy their plugs/sockets. hit me up if you're interested. each relay cost about 40-50 and takes 15 mins to wire.
Click to expand...
the review was mine they are garbage the one i had is now there .and yes they are very cheaply put together with black tape and wire nuts ....
 
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mc1969

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DeRail said:
I was looking at these Powerboxs a few weeks ago and did some research for reviews on them and remember reading something about the timer failing on a a lot of units. and complaints of them being cheaply made.I was originally was looking at getting 4 flip boxes from them.
Click to expand...

spend the money and buy a good unit .these things are cheap cuss they build them cheap
 
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cheech

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well fuck meee... that sucks. oh well i'll take a look at its insides and if it looks like shit i'll buy something else.

de rail as far as i know the only problem with digital ballasts and flip flops is that you need to have your ballast plugged into a timer and turn it off before the switch is made. that's all i've heard, and i did run into that problem with my quantum ballast a few times.. they did end of lighting up, but it took a while. when i turned them off right before the switch then turned it back on it lit the bulb up immediately.
 
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cheech

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mc1969 do u have a cap light controller? how do you like it... the 8x light controller is actually cheaper then the 6 light power box i bought. considerably cheaper.
 
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