MustGro
Well-Known Member
So I posted a few pics and a description of my new upgrade in this thread https://www.rollitup.org/p/16068939/. I got a few questions so I thought I'd put it up here for all to see.
I've been at the limit of my electrical capacity for a long time now. I grow hydro so there are pumps and heat mats under reservoirs that all need a plug in. I had 3 power bars strung up (not piggybacked) and was still out of outlets and capacity. I was lucky too; my room has two 15 amp circuits, lots of folks only have one 15 amp or less than that in an apartment (13 amp sometimes).
I've been thinking about calling an electrician but never did it. Like a lot of things in my grow it just sorta happened.
I'm talking to a new stoner friend and they're telling me about their grow. I notice all the lights they're running and say something like, "you must know an electrician to have that many lights". They come back with, "my Dad rigged it up and he's an electrician". Really now.....
So my new friend and his dad show up to do the inspection and the old man is sucking on a vape pen and his kid is the "chauffeur". I'm feeling good about this, my kind of people. I stay at an older place, only a 100 amp service but I don't draw much power except for my grow. Heat is from a boiler and it heats my water so no electrical draw for those. I have a few spots on my panel that I could spare.
The electrician looks it over and we're talking about my options. He can take over the spots I'm not using no problem, BUT then I say, "in a few years I might be moving out". He thinks about it a few seconds and goes, "I could wire you up like my friends who grow big. I get the call and I can have them down and gone in an hour".
Sounds good to me......
I bought everything and wasn't too sure about what to get, but the staff at Home Depot helped a lot. The electrician brought a used heavy gauge wire to run to the new panel and his toolbox, so if the gear isn't to your liking it's on me not the electrician. I never asked him to make it to code; I realize it isn't. I just want more power without losing the house. There is some things missing like nuts to hold wires into the panel BUT it's geared to be removed eventually. I know my insurance is toast also.
I'm not putting this on here to say "do your own wiring" because you probably shouldn't, BUT this install was done by a licensed, practicing electrician. It was just wasn't done to be 100% up to code as it's removable. I know when it's time to take this out I'll be able to do it by myself. Hit the main breaker, take off the three leads, and drop the pony panel....
The first, second and third pics are my existing box.
Fourth and fifth are the bottom of my box and the new panel showing the white large wire running to the pony panel.
I've been at the limit of my electrical capacity for a long time now. I grow hydro so there are pumps and heat mats under reservoirs that all need a plug in. I had 3 power bars strung up (not piggybacked) and was still out of outlets and capacity. I was lucky too; my room has two 15 amp circuits, lots of folks only have one 15 amp or less than that in an apartment (13 amp sometimes).
I've been thinking about calling an electrician but never did it. Like a lot of things in my grow it just sorta happened.
I'm talking to a new stoner friend and they're telling me about their grow. I notice all the lights they're running and say something like, "you must know an electrician to have that many lights". They come back with, "my Dad rigged it up and he's an electrician". Really now.....
So my new friend and his dad show up to do the inspection and the old man is sucking on a vape pen and his kid is the "chauffeur". I'm feeling good about this, my kind of people. I stay at an older place, only a 100 amp service but I don't draw much power except for my grow. Heat is from a boiler and it heats my water so no electrical draw for those. I have a few spots on my panel that I could spare.
The electrician looks it over and we're talking about my options. He can take over the spots I'm not using no problem, BUT then I say, "in a few years I might be moving out". He thinks about it a few seconds and goes, "I could wire you up like my friends who grow big. I get the call and I can have them down and gone in an hour".
Sounds good to me......
I bought everything and wasn't too sure about what to get, but the staff at Home Depot helped a lot. The electrician brought a used heavy gauge wire to run to the new panel and his toolbox, so if the gear isn't to your liking it's on me not the electrician. I never asked him to make it to code; I realize it isn't. I just want more power without losing the house. There is some things missing like nuts to hold wires into the panel BUT it's geared to be removed eventually. I know my insurance is toast also.
I'm not putting this on here to say "do your own wiring" because you probably shouldn't, BUT this install was done by a licensed, practicing electrician. It was just wasn't done to be 100% up to code as it's removable. I know when it's time to take this out I'll be able to do it by myself. Hit the main breaker, take off the three leads, and drop the pony panel....
The first, second and third pics are my existing box.
Fourth and fifth are the bottom of my box and the new panel showing the white large wire running to the pony panel.
