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.

 

[stormrider]

Hi Truu, I´m currently in doubt on how to install a new product that Id recently buy. Its an Inline Mixed Flow Fan, similar to those sold by VENTS TT 125:
http://www.ventilation-system.com/cat/61/

As far as I understood and having had success on installing my HPS system, thanks to your help, that a 240v plug has on each of its 2 wires, 127V, so that means that I have 2 live wires in that plug. I suppose this kind of system is called biphase, 2 phases.
In my inline fan installation manual it states that this fan is to be used on a 220v, mono-phase electrical system, with 1 neutral and 1 live wires. Will I burn this fan if I connect it directly to my 220v plug?

 

[Truu]

Hello storm. Not quite sure if I'm following what you're saying but I think I may have the answer.

Single phase doesn't mean it is just 1 phase. It actually means that it's a single phase system. Let me explain. In your house you have a single phase service. 120v on one leg and 120v on another leg. In your electrical panel the phases are split up and used for the circuits in your house via the buss for your breakers. The term single phase comes from the rotation of the generator used to produce to power. It takes 1 360 degree rotation to complete the cycle. In this cycle voltage is made at 0 degrees then at 90 degrees goes back down to 0. Then when the windings reach 180 degrees voltage is produced again and voltage goes down at 270. This Would be why most power used today is alternating current (ac) because there are 2 places voltage is produced in 1 complete cycle.

Lol I hope that cleared phases up for you. However I've never heard the term "mono" phase ever used. Single and mono mean the same thing so I take its probably the same. If the plug on your fan fits on the 220v receptacle you want to use them I would say it will work. They only make plugs to fit in the right receptacle these days.

 

[stormrider]

Thanks for the good info Truu!
Im afraid the plugs here in the country Im currently living are simetrical and can plugged one way or another. Would this be a problem? Does that mean that I have a 50/50 chance?
Thanks!

 

[Truu]

Well storm let me say this. There's been times I've done trouble shooting jobs and the only way to know the truth was to try it out with a 50/50 chance. Now if you are putting 240v into a 240v fan I see no reason as to why it would burn up. Only way motors burn up is to many amps or to much voltage. You should be fine man. Sorry I'm not much help to you. I wish I could travel the world and learn other ways of electrical work. Hope everything works out for ya, I'm fairly sure it will be ok.

 

[buddro]

What up Truu. Want to get your opinion on how my tent setup is run. Kinda long run down but here we go. I have two seperate breakers things run off of.

Circuit 1 - 15amp breaker
2x600w 120v digi dimmable HPS to a 15 amp outdoor timer that has three outlets. the timer is attached to power via a 12 gauge 6 foot extension to a shockbuster GFCI and into the wall. Only other thing on this circuit and plugged into timer with the two lights is a small 100w fan. This a plug in one of my rooms and in the same room I also plug in a small lamp and my laptop. That is it though.

Circuit 2 - 20 Amp breaker

1 - 10,000BTU Portable 10Amp draw A/C, it is fed power from a 12 gauge 10 foot extension cord going right out side one of the doors. It is also connected to GFCI. On same circuit different plug I run another 12 gauger 12 foot extension to a shockbuster GFCI 15 amp surger protecter. Plugged into protector is my fan speed with 6 inch vortex 1.5A attached. Also 2- 100 watt fans. And a 6 foot incandescent rope light that takes .25watts per bulb spaced every 1 1/4.

That's all I have. If I did the math everything is under the 80% threshold. I'm know electrician, but many years of wiring my own cars and fixing about whatever. But it would be nice to have a second opinion. I have a big fire extinguisher on access but want to put myself at ease.

Thanks

 

[Truu]

What's up buddro. Nothing wrong with your setup buddy. Sounds like you got it all under control!

 

[buddro]

Thanks for the response puts me at ease!! Thanks Bro :smokebuds:

 

[corynski]

Ballast problem?

Hello Truu

I was going to raise my 1000w MH light a little and put in a sodium bulb and was checking around the fixture while it was still on, when suddenly my little fingernail on my left hand hit the aluminum reflector and I saw a small spark. I thought oh sh t what have I done as the bulb immediately went out. I checked everything, wires, wire nuts. I figured there must have been some static electricity in me and something must have shorted out.

So, I thought there must be some kind of overload protection within the ballast housing that I couldn't see, and needed to get some instructions and a voltmeter/ampmeter. And then I found this post and thought maybe you've found the answer. Can the ballast be repaired or should I get another.

Here is a post from zx12r I responded to earlier:

"Need ballast help
Ok, so 3 weeks ago I decided to start up a new grow so I put in my 1000w MH bulb and off I went. Well today while doing some cleaning in the room I noticed that I had forgotten to flip the switch from HPS to MH. I unplugged the ballast for about 5 minutes, flipped the switch and plugged it back in and nothing happens. I fip the switch back to hps and the light acts like it wants to come on but it wont. It just like flickers. Did I fry my ballast? It was working fine in HPS mode with the MH bulb."

And now I find no record of my posts to you, Truu, they're gone yet I know, or thought, I sent them in. Puzzling.

It appears that a new ballast is not much more expensive than parts for a broken one. I had planned on taking it to Advanced Hydroponics locally and have it checked out tomorrow.

corynski

PS. Here is a writeup of maintenance for the large halide and sodium fixtures: http://www.exceline.com/library/TechData/troubleshooting.pdf

 

[Truu]

Alright I'm a little confused here. Only confused about these 2 statements you gave me. One from you and one from another person.

First, your problem. You said that you just touched the reflector with your finger nail and you saw a spark. Did this shock you at all? Or did it feel like a static electricity shock? I'm assuming the lights immediately shut down after this? First I need to know these things. Is your light plugged into a power strip or gfci? Have you tested your plugs for power with a volt meter. Have your checked the circuit breaker? With the info you gave me I can only assume that there is some form of ground fault protection on that circuit or ballast.

Now for the second one. First assuming the ballast is electronic, it shouldn't fry the ballast. I would assume electronic ballasts would have some form of protection in them. If you're saying the bulb is flickering then I would first check to see if the bulb is still good. Take it to the hydro store if you know all the power to your light is working properly and have them check it out.

And what records of posts to me are you talking about?

 

[stylez]

Hey truu curious what an easy way to rig up some cfls in my tent for side lighting and additional heat for winter. Appreciate any advice. :smokebuds: