Lighting Situation

[CaptGanjaMan]

Hello Everybody!
I'm hoping some of you can help me. I have a 430w HPS and a 400w MH light that I would like to use. Can I simply plug them in and not worry, or will this be too much for an ordinary basement. The circut also runs part of my kitchen, and garage (where electricity is seldom used). I have no idea how much amps go through the circut, but lets assume it is a typical household outlet (if there is such a thing). Would that be a problem? Is this enough info to work with? Thank you guys!

CaptGanjaMan Reviewed by CaptGanjaMan on 09-27-2010. Lighting Situation Hello Everybody! I'm hoping some of you can help me. I have a 430w HPS and a 400w MH light that I would like to use. Can I simply plug them in and not worry, or will this be too much for an ordinary basement. The circut also runs part of my kitchen, and garage (where electricity is seldom used). I have no idea how much amps go through the circut, but lets assume it is a typical household outlet (if there is such a thing). Would that be a problem? Is this enough info to work with? Thank you Rating: 5

[canniwhatsis]

Check the breaker for the circuit. It's probably 15a (15amps)

My grow runs on a 15a circuit that also runs the whole basement and the parlor room in the house.

I used to have 2x 400w (1 HPS for flower 1 MH for vege) running, as well as a 96w T-5 for cloning. The grow was fine unless we were trying to do laundry. If all the lights were on, and the washer was running it would trip the breaker.


Long story short, my grow draws about 10 amps. the rest of the basement draws 7-10 amps,.... I'm going to have a buddy come in to drop another power line down there exclusively for the grow room.

[Psycho4Bud]

Amps=Watts/volts so if your running a 110v household circuit your amps would be 4.3 with both lamps.

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

[canniwhatsis]

Amps=Watts/volts so if your running a 110v household circuit your amps would be 4.3 with both lamps.

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

You are absolutely correct! For the lights,... add in the circulation fans and it's up a little bit higher. (Everything on the circuit needs to be accounted for, then leeway needs to be given for resistance in the wires or bad connections)

I would rather over rate the draw my grow pulls than under rate it..... pulling too much thru 1970's wiring causes fires. I have a family, and don't want to see them homeless or even worse, dead!

Better safe than sorry on this one.:hippy::thumbsup:

[canniwhatsis]

Not trying to start a shitstorm just saying that it's best to be certain of the exact amperage pulled thru a circuit, and how many amps it will handle before you go and try and toss on an extra 1000w of draw on it!


I do think the OP's probably fine with his grow options, but if he's running the oven while his lamps are on, (posted that the circuit runs the kitchen as well) it might trip the breaker and interrupt his grow. Again,.... better safe than sorry

[Psycho4Bud]

DEFINITELY that's just for the lights! Now he can figure out the rest of the draw based on the formula that I gave. Quite the task but like you said, better safe than sorry.

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

[CaptGanjaMan]

Wow! Great Info guys! Thank you so much....

[SoCoMMJ]

Amps=Watts/volts so if your running a 110v household circuit your amps would be 4.3 with both lamps.

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

I think he's going to be closer to 8 amps if both lamps are running at once.

(400w + 430w) / 110v
830w / 110v = 7.5amps

Most of the household circuits are 15a. So to rough it out, you can add up watts of everything that's running on the breaker and keep it under 1500

[copobo]

if you have the room in your panel, it is super easy to add additional circuits. There are books on home wiring, and if you are the homeowner, it's generally a legal thing to do.

drop a new circuit in and pull some wire. If your panel is in your basement and that''s where you are growing it's a piece of cake.

I suggest putting in twice as much as you think you'll need so you don't need to do it again if you decide to add something else with a big draw...

[Psycho4Bud]

I think he's going to be closer to 8 amps if both lamps are running at once.

(400w + 430w) / 110v
830w / 110v = 7.5amps

Most of the household circuits are 15a. So to rough it out, you can add up watts of everything that's running on the breaker and keep it under 1500

And that's why you ALWAYS double check your figures. (I'll give myself the dumb ass of the day award for not doing so). Also, keep in mind there is inrush current to factor in when your lamps turn on. I usually bump up the number by at least 15%.

Have a good one!:thumbsup: