CAP MLC-8DX Light Controller Question

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yum114

Active Member
I have the MLC-8DX which is supposed to be wired at 50 amps. Everyone tells me that it truly means that it can be wired UP TO 50 AMPS as long as the items I plug into it dont go over the allowed amps depending on what wires used. I plan on wiring in a dryer cable (10/3 Rated at 30 amps) and plug this into a 30 amp dryer cable socket( the cable Im using is a brand new one which is the exact cable they used in my household to hook up a 28 amp dryer. I do know that this dryer will not be able to be plugged in while the light controller is plugged in.

My question is. Will it be ok to wire this box(with a 50 amp rating) with a dryer cable(rated at 30 amps) and plug it into a 30 amp circuit as long as the lights I plug into it dont go over 24 or so amps?

The cord that Im trying to wire to the MLC is a 30 amp 10/3 dryer cord
 
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tommyo3000

Well-Known Member
Hello,

First of all, and not to be a smartass, but the manual for this controller is quite explicit in how it should be wired. CAP has the manual on their website for free. Here is a link: http://www.randmsupply.com/images/link/MLC-8DXInstructions.pdf

The juicy part of that pdf:

Power & wiring requirements
WARNING: Consult a licensed electrician if you do not fully understand these
instructions.
1) The main 240 volt / 40 amp power must be supplied to the MLC
using either 8/2 Romex Cable or a 40 amp Dryer or Range Plug cable.
2) The user must provide over current protection for the MLC using
a 40 amp double pole circuit breaker.
3) 40 amps of power require a wire size of at least 8 awg.
4) Two wire cable with ground (8/2) is recommended.
5) The Ground Wire (copper or green) must be connected to
the Aluminum ground lug.
6) Make certain that your ballasts are wired for 240 volt!

Note: Although this MLC can be wired for 120 volt operation and used in
conjunction with a 120 volt ballast, this is not an optimal combination and
reduces the number of ballasts that can be ran with this MLC

Furthermore, the people at CAP are great. They answer their phones and emails and really know their products.

Good luck and be safe.

Tommy
 
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yum114

Active Member
mine says 50 amps and the manual says NOTHING about wiring less than those 50 amps. also that manual I believe only gives instructions for wiring the 2 or 4 prong cords while mine is 3 prong. THOSE are the reasons while Im asking.
 
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yum114

Active Member
Appreciate the idea of calling CAP. and the info their PDF's give out is different then what they're tech guy told me. I knew it would be which is why I wanted to post to the forums. But you did get me to call them so I thank you for that. For some reason, I didnt even think CAP would have a direct phone number to call
 
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yum114

Active Member
For any of you who have this Light controller. If you ran it to a socket of 30 or less amps did only half of the plugins work?
 
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tommyo3000

Well-Known Member
Well, it is strange that your model doesn't match the PDFs.. It seems only the tech people can tell you what the hell piece of equipment you have and how to best connect it.
Perhaps there is a serial number on it? If the same model # can have a 40 or a 50 amp version, there must be some way for them to straighten this out for you.
 
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yum114

Active Member
hellraizer30 said:
50amps and a 50 amp breaker at your service pannel. Anything less is a fire hazard
Click to expand...
CAP says as long as I don't go over the allowed ampage of the power source, it's perfectly fine. This system is rated to handle UP TO 50 amps. That's what the tech guy told me
 
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Eviljay

Member
You are fine. As long as the breaker at the panel is not rated for less than the smalles wire in the circuit is rated to handle, you are fine. Most people don't even know what a breaker or fuse is even there for.
 
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yum114

Active Member
Hooked up the dryer cable rated at 30 amps. And I was only planning on running 3-4 lights on this controller max 2/3 1000w HPS for flower and 1x 1000w MH for veg. All digital ballasts and will be using 240v of course for a total of 15-20 amps
 
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