Truu's electrical help thread.

Howdy folks.

This thread will be dedicated to any of your electrical needs. Whether it be a question about your growing setup, or if you just need help around the house. I have many years of electrical experience in residential, commercial, and industrial fields.

Just ask your question as detailed as possible, throw in some pics if needed. The more info I can get, the better I can understand what you need. It is also a good idea to let me know if you are from over seas, for I am not lol.

 

[Mindzeye]

Hi I have a question. I read somewhere that you can run led chips straight of a transformer, is this safe? I've had difficulty finding right driver for them. They are 10w and need 7 - 9volts

I don't know much about LED drivers but one thing you have to look at is the frequency and not just voltage and wattage. If it was as easy as hooking a transformer up then why was an LED driver even invented or produced? There has to be a difference.. You should stop by the LED section with your question. There are others there who know a lot more about how the LEDs are driven than I do

 

[Mindzeye]

Hi Truu

I have an electrical panel with all my sockets breakers all on the same rail with a main socket breaker on the very end.
Under that rail there's a second rail with all my light switch breakers all on that second rail.
Once every few weeks... months.. the main socket breaker flicks off. It kinda freaks me out that if I'm sleeping or away and it goes off that my air pump will go off and my DWC that I started running will crap out.

I'm not trying to draw too much amps off a single circuit.
Nothing that I can pin point is faulty.
It's been happening for a long time, very intermittently.

I'm thinking of replacing that main socket breaker that keeps flicking off just to rule that out.
But is there anything I can get to test the circuits to see if there's anything weird on any of them?

It's strange the main circuit breaker flicks off and not the specific socket breaker.

You need to get an electrician out there to look at the panel. Your panel could be overloaded. You could have a 100 amp panel but if all the circuits combined are drawing more than 100 amps it will trip the main breaker but not any of the others. It could also be a faulty breaker that needs to be replaced. You should contact an electrician to test your panel and decide if you need a new main or you need to add a second panel to split the load up. Without testing your panel its impossible to tell you what to do here. An electrician shouldn't even need to go any other place than the panel to tell you this so don't worry about your grow being exposed.

Can you post a picture of your panel and breakers? It will help me see if you have the load balanced, you could be pulling too much on one bus bar and tripping the breaker

 

[Happy Horticulturist]

I doubt my panel is over loaded because I woke up recently in the morning and the sockets had switched off again. Luckily I had nothing growing at the time (was in between grows) so there was nothing on really apart from the fridge, maybe some outside lights, and possible the dishwasher if we ran it that night I can't remember. There would have been a bunch of electrical appliances plugged in on standby, the t.v. the computer, etc. But nothing drawing enough power to overload any of the circuits.

So that's why I thought it could be a faulty breaker and I've asked someone I know who can replace them to replace it for me, just to be sure.

I'm just thinking, if that's not it, then what? I really don't want an electrician around. The last thing I ever want is someone around my place asking questions and then me seeming evasive or dodgy I Can't hold a straight face and lie

 

[Mindzeye]

I doubt my panel is over loaded because I woke up recently in the morning and the sockets had switched off again. Luckily I had nothing growing at the time (was in between grows) so there was nothing on really apart from the fridge, maybe some outside lights, and possible the dishwasher if we ran it that night I can't remember. There would have been a bunch of electrical appliances plugged in on standby, the t.v. the computer, etc. But nothing drawing enough power to overload any of the circuits.

So that's why I thought it could be a faulty breaker and I've asked someone I know who can replace them to replace it for me, just to be sure.

I'm just thinking, if that's not it, then what? I really don't want an electrician around. The last thing I ever want is someone around my place asking questions and then me seeming evasive or dodgy I Can't hold a straight face and lie

From what your describing it sounds like a bad breaker then, is the panel old? The only other thing it could be is one of your other breakers is bad and you have a ground fault and it trips the main. Without meters to test this it would be hard to find. Replacing the main is ok though you won't hurt anything. Keep me posted and let me know what happens. This is one of those questions that would require me to test it with meters to determine the exact problem.

If you are in Ireland then you have 230v power anyways. You would need to be running some serious appliances to overload a 100 amp panel there.. So safe bet is replace the main and see if that solves it.

 

[suggz1980]

I don't know much about LED drivers but one thing you have to look at is the frequency and not just voltage and wattage. If it was as easy as hooking a transformer up then why was an LED driver even invented or produced? There has to be a difference.. You should stop by the LED section with your question. There are others there who know a lot more about how the LEDs are driven than I do

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think It would be as simple as just wiring to adjustable ac adapter (transformer). It seems an odd forward voltage for that wattage led, most are 12v. I will post it the led forum. Thanks once again

 

[Truu]

Hi I have a question. I read somewhere that you can run led chips straight of a transformer, is this safe? I've had difficulty finding right driver for them. They are 10w and need 7 - 9volts

Hey bud, I've never heard of this before. Technically they do run off a transformer but the driver is much more than just a transformer. That question may be better suited for the led section as stated before.

Hi Truu

I have an electrical panel with all my sockets breakers all on the same rail with a main socket breaker on the very end.
Under that rail there's a second rail with all my light switch breakers all on that second rail.
Once every few weeks... months.. the main socket breaker flicks off. It kinda freaks me out that if I'm sleeping or away and it goes off that my air pump will go off and my DWC that I started running will crap out.

I'm not trying to draw too much amps off a single circuit.
Nothing that I can pin point is faulty.
It's been happening for a long time, very intermittently.

I'm thinking of replacing that main socket breaker that keeps flicking off just to rule that out.
But is there anything I can get to test the circuits to see if there's anything weird on any of them?

It's strange the main circuit breaker flicks off and not the specific socket breaker.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Truu

I have an electrical panel with all my sockets breakers all on the same rail with a main socket breaker on the very end.
Under that rail there's a second rail with all my light switch breakers all on that second rail.
Once every few weeks... months.. the main socket breaker flicks off. It kinda freaks me out that if I'm sleeping or away and it goes off that my air pump will go off and my DWC that I started running will crap out.

I'm not trying to draw too much amps off a single circuit.
Nothing that I can pin point is faulty.
It's been happening for a long time, very intermittently.

I'm thinking of replacing that main socket breaker that keeps flicking off just to rule that out.
But is there anything I can get to test the circuits to see if there's anything weird on any of them?

It's strange the main circuit breaker flicks off and not the specific socket breaker.

Hello happy. Sounds to me like a breaking going bad. You saying socket breakers sounds like the old screw in type breakers? If so then you have some old wiring to go along with that. Have you Checked to see what all is on your circuits? Back in the day they used to wire houses with very few breakers. I would suggest making sure you know everything on the circuits. And then take a meter and read your amperage just to make Sure. (This is assuming I'm guessing right). If you have done all this I would suggest just replacing the breaker. No reason for a breaker to trip unless there is a overload or going bad. Hope this helps.

Hello Truu!!! I would like to ask a few questions. I am converting a 400w HPS to a 400w MH. The transformer is a CW Autotransformer, it currently has a 55uf capacitor and I bought a 24uf capacitor to replace it. I know the only difference is the capacitor and ignitor. The ignitor currently installed says it will also operate a metal halide from 35-400w so can I simply leave the ignitor in place or do I need to remove it?
My BF says all I need to do is replace the capacitor with the 24uf but I heard the metal halide won't need the ignitor, is this so? Thank you

Hello nika. First, the capacitor seems to small if you ask me. If your 55uf cap was used originally then I would stick with that. Second, what kind of MH bulb are you using. A pulse start bulb would require an ignitor. Assuming your using an inductive ballast. If you have an electronic ballast then it would supply the arc to start the bulb. I use electronic ballasts and they make conversion bulbs to work with hps electronic ballasts. You can also just try buying A ballast kit for the size bulb you are planning to use and it will come with everything you need. Hope this helps.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi I have a question. I read somewhere that you can run led chips straight of a transformer, is this safe? I've had difficulty finding right driver for them. They are 10w and need 7 - 9volts

Hey bud, I've never heard of this before. Technically they do run off a transformer but the driver is much more than just a transformer. That question may be better suited for the led section as stated before.

Hi Truu

I have an electrical panel with all my sockets breakers all on the same rail with a main socket breaker on the very end.
Under that rail there's a second rail with all my light switch breakers all on that second rail.
Once every few weeks... months.. the main socket breaker flicks off. It kinda freaks me out that if I'm sleeping or away and it goes off that my air pump will go off and my DWC that I started running will crap out.

I'm not trying to draw too much amps off a single circuit.
Nothing that I can pin point is faulty.
It's been happening for a long time, very intermittently.

I'm thinking of replacing that main socket breaker that keeps flicking off just to rule that out.
But is there anything I can get to test the circuits to see if there's anything weird on any of them?

It's strange the main circuit breaker flicks off and not the specific socket breaker.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Truu

I have an electrical panel with all my sockets breakers all on the same rail with a main socket breaker on the very end.
Under that rail there's a second rail with all my light switch breakers all on that second rail.
Once every few weeks... months.. the main socket breaker flicks off. It kinda freaks me out that if I'm sleeping or away and it goes off that my air pump will go off and my DWC that I started running will crap out.

I'm not trying to draw too much amps off a single circuit.
Nothing that I can pin point is faulty.
It's been happening for a long time, very intermittently.

I'm thinking of replacing that main socket breaker that keeps flicking off just to rule that out.
But is there anything I can get to test the circuits to see if there's anything weird on any of them?

It's strange the main circuit breaker flicks off and not the specific socket breaker.

Hello happy. Sounds to me like a breaking going bad. You saying socket breakers sounds like the old screw in type breakers? If so then you have some old wiring to go along with that. Have you Checked to see what all is on your circuits? Back in the day they used to wire houses with very few breakers. I would suggest making sure you know everything on the circuits. And then take a meter and read your amperage just to make Sure. (This is assuming I'm guessing right). If you have done all this I would suggest just replacing the breaker. No reason for a breaker to trip unless there is a overload or going bad. Hope this helps.

Hello Truu!!! I would like to ask a few questions. I am converting a 400w HPS to a 400w MH. The transformer is a CW Autotransformer, it currently has a 55uf capacitor and I bought a 24uf capacitor to replace it. I know the only difference is the capacitor and ignitor. The ignitor currently installed says it will also operate a metal halide from 35-400w so can I simply leave the ignitor in place or do I need to remove it?
My BF says all I need to do is replace the capacitor with the 24uf but I heard the metal halide won't need the ignitor, is this so? Thank you

Hello nika. First, the capacitor seems to small if you ask me. If your 55uf cap was used originally then I would stick with that. Second, what kind of MH bulb are you using. A pulse start bulb would require an ignitor. Assuming your using an inductive ballast. If you have an electronic ballast then it would supply the arc to start the bulb. I use electronic ballasts and they make conversion bulbs to work with hps electronic ballasts. You can also just try buying A ballast kit for the size bulb you are planning to use and it will come with everything you need. Hope this helps.

 

[pop22]

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think It would be as simple as just wiring to adjustable ac adapter (transformer). It seems an odd forward voltage for that wattage led, most are 12v. I will post it the led forum. Thanks once again

LEDs in grow light use constant voltage, not constant amperage. You can't use a standard transformer with them

http://www.halogentransformer.com/constant-voltage-led-driver-halogen-lighting-transformer.html

 

[a.wil]

Hi wondering if u could help, I am planning on setting up a grow in my attic but there isn't any power what wud b the best way to get it up there. I plan on running a 300w led light 5" extractor fan, oscillating fan, low watt heater and wiring all that to a climate control unit that requires its own breaker . I pressume this wouldn't be save to spur off another plug, would a junction box work if I can find a cable or would a serperate cable need to be connected to the fuse box and ran up?? Thanks

 

[namvet25]

I don't see why a 12 or 14 gauge heavy duty extension cord wouldn't work plugged into a outlet that doesn't get any heavy use.Then plug a heavy duty plug strip with a breaker in it.

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I don't see why a 12 or 14 gauge heavy duty extension cord wouldn't work plugged into a outlet that doesn't get any heavy use.Then plug a heavy duty plug strip with a breaker in it.

 

[micro.grower]

I wanna run one 26 watt cfl on a 1000 plants. That's not my question... Can I run that bulb off a USB setup out of my computer and still retain the full powerful 26 watts I need for this massive grow??? hey bud. How's it been going?