For whoever knows their electricity... pic included

[Ken3531]

Heres a pic of my dryer outlet. I wanna use it because its 240v and half the amps and i keep blowing fuses. i looked at the 240v cords that come with ballasts and they dont look like they will fit into this. is there some kind of adapter any knows of because i cant find one.

 

[zuuluu]

There are tons of adaptors for these. Go to the hardware store and draw a pic of the prong layout and take it there. If they dont have it then buy a new plug and cut off the one that came with ur ballast and switch it with the new one. How r the fuzes burning out? U cant plug it in so how do u know? If u have a dimmable ballast and pluged it into another voltage output socket make sure u have the dimming knob turned to the right side.

 

[toastycookies]

Heres a pic of my dryer outlet. I wanna use it because its 240v and half the amps and i keep blowing fuses. i looked at the 240v cords that come with ballasts and they dont look like they will fit into this. is there some kind of adapter any knows of because i cant find one. View attachment 1569789

of course it's half the amps LOL. twice the volts = 1/2 amps = same wattage... VOLTS x AMPS = WATTS... get a better pic with the prong layout and i can tell you exactly what type of socket it is and where to get a plug to fit it.

 

[jixan]

Well, I am not sure about an adapter... I do know though when I move into my new place I had to change the plug cord for my dryers 220 plug. You might be able to go to Home Depot (or anyother large chain home improvment store) and but a replacement 240 plug for your ballast. I know very little about ballast though so I honestly don't know if this is a possability. I would check online for 240 plugs, probably find it cheaper, there isn't a lot to them. Yours looks like it is pretty typical outlet though a ground, neutral and power holes.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

 

[Ken3531]

lol im an engineer so im quite familiar with equations and relationships between potential difference, resistance, and current. I just chose not to mess with it too much because im the type of person that would get shocked. Im using a different outlet in my basement and I have a 1000w and 400w light along with 2 8 inch centrifugal fans and a bunch of other stuff. Another question, is the dryer outlet on its own seperate breaker or are they normally on a breaker with other regular outlets? Heres a better pic.

 

[5ourdiesel]

Well, I am not sure about an adapter... I do know though when I move into my new place I had to change the plug cord for my dryers 220 plug. You might be able to go to Home Depot (or anyother large chain home improvment store) and but a replacement 240 plug for your ballast. I know very little about ballast though so I honestly don't know if this is a possability. I would check online for 240 plugs, probably find it cheaper, there isn't a lot to them. Yours looks like it is pretty typical outlet though a ground, neutral and power holes.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

this 3 prong dryer outlet is NOT grounded!!! there is no such thing as one 240V hot lead. the two slanded prongs are each 120V that are 180 degrees out of phase which is 240V difference. The bottom prong is neutral. Under no circumstances can you run a HID ballast off of only a neutral wire.

 

[Ken3531]

so there's no way I can use this outlet in order to cut my amps down?

 

[toastycookies]

lol im an engineer so im quite familiar with equations and relationships between potential difference, resistance, and current. I just chose not to mess with it too much because im the type of person that would get shocked. Im using a different outlet in my basement and I have a 1000w and 400w light along with 2 8 inch centrifugal fans and a bunch of other stuff. Another question, is the dryer outlet on its own seperate breaker or are they normally on a breaker with other regular outlets? Heres a better pic.View attachment 1569846

if you truly have your EE degree than you would not be asking these questions. get rid of that plug and install a new one. then get/make a cord that will go from it to your ballasts...

 

[toastycookies]

so there's no way I can use this outlet in order to cut my amps down?

you're really not a professional engineer, are you?

 

[Ken3531]

No, i'm a mechanical engineer. I never said I was EE. I have taken 3 or 4 classes that deal with the physics of electricity. There's a big difference between what an electrician does and being able to solve equations using the laws of physics. The elec classes were required and I have yet to use any of that knowledge because most of my work is done using Pro-engineer software (CAD). It's not nice to make assumptions and say I'm a liar.

 

[toastycookies]

No, i'm a mechanical engineer. I never said I was EE. I have taken 3 or 4 classes that deal with the physics of electricity. There's a big difference between what an electrician does and being able to solve equations using the laws of physics. The elec classes were required and I have yet to use any of that knowledge because most of my work is done using Pro-engineer software (CAD). It's not nice to make assumptions and say I'm a liar.

it's all simple math.

 

[Ken3531]

What's all simple math? Using calculus to solve equations that deal with electiricty? That's not simple and the average persone doesn't know calculus. Theres no math involved with my finding an outlet where I can plug a ballast into.

 

[toastycookies]

What's all simple math? Using calculus to solve equations that deal with electiricty? That's not simple and the average persone doesn't know calculus. Theres no math involved with my finding an outlet where I can plug a ballast into.

you are a professional engineer. you should know basic calculus. all electrical things are simple math.

 

[NoDrama]

so there's no way I can use this outlet in order to cut my amps down?

Why exactly are you trying to cut down on amps?

Toasty is right, most electrical is simple math. Watts = Amps used x Volts supplied

OHM'S Law

 

[Ken3531]

What value do your responses have to my questions? I know much more than basic calculus and the math involved in electricity is not basic. Where do you work McDonalds? Tell me what this equations means and I give you my word I will pay you 10 dollars (twice your hourly wage) through mail or paypal.

SE

dA=

0R

02

0

Ersin

drd

d

​

​

 

[Ken3531]

I just wanted to reduce the current im useing because ive blown some fuses. That's why I wanted to pull power off of the dryer outlet.

 

[toastycookies]

I just wanted to reduce the current im useing because ive blown some fuses. That's why I wanted to pull power off of the dryer outlet.

than you have no clue as to what you are talking about. do you need more volts or more amps or more watts (current) ?

do you think because you can cut you amps in half by multiplying your voltage by twice that you are saving "current"? oooor what?

in the end it all comes down to how much power you need to draw from a certain circuit. that is all. nothing more, nothing less.

 

[NoDrama]

I just wanted to reduce the current im useing because ive blown some fuses. That's why I wanted to pull power off of the dryer outlet.

AHA, so you are pulling too many amps and blowing Fuses(Or tripping a breaker) on your 120v Circuit. In that case I say go for the adaptor plug, you can make them yourself if you know how. The only thing you have to worry about is the Neutral, the other two wires can mix and match, only the neutral has to be correct.

 

[Ken3531]

If you actually read the thread I said I wanted to use my dryer outlet because im blowing fuses the way I'm doing it now. By doing that i'd be using less current and wouldn't be blowing fuses. You obvoiusly are not help to me and only care to argue about what you don't know. Unless you have something to say that's going to help answer my original question, please dont respond anymore. Thanks

 

[NoDrama]

than you have no clue as to what you are talking about. do you need more volts or more amps or more watts (current) ?

do you think because you can cut you amps in half by multiplying your voltage by twice that you are saving "current"? oooor what?

in the end it all comes down to how much power you need to draw from a certain circuit. that is all. nothing more, nothing less.

There is a simple misunderstanding between you both.