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Electrical Question About Master Lighting Controller by C.A.P

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watsupbud

Active Member
MLC8XT-600.jpgMLC8DX-600.jpg

http://randmsupply.com/productdisp.php?pid=606&navid=5

I'm soon going to run 6x1000w lights for a flowering room. I was wondering what this controller was. Is this an easier way of getting the correct receptacles and volts for a grow room with multiple lights without having to build a sub panel or wiring up new circuits for all 6 lights? I know they have different models and I know the differences. I was reading up on the pdf file in the link on how to set it up and im a bit confused. How exactly are these wired up to receive power? I know there are 2 ways to power this controller as stated in the pdf file on the link. Im guessing for the dryer outlet, you can add the dryer cable to it and plug it into a dryer outlet? Or I can add a 40amp breaker in my main circuit panel and wire it straight to this controller? correct me if im wrong. I would be more interested in adding a 40amp breaker to my main breaker to this controller box. If i choose to with the adding a 40amp to my main breaker, im guessing this is how it should look?

[Main Breaker +my new 40amp breaker]===Correct sz wiring==to==[Controller Box]

Should there be anything in between or just 40amp--(8/2)wire--controller box?
It seems weird because most devices are plugged into an outlet and this route it seems as if you go from the main panel 40amp breaker and straight to the controller box with no outlets in between. is this correct? I know the dryer route you just attach a dryer plug to the controller and plug it into a 40amp dryer outlet. PLEASE HELPPPP!!!!!!
 
S

skrillaship

Member
This Master Lighting Controller is your subpanel. Install a 240v (double pole) breaker in your main panel and run 8/3 wire from the main panel to wherever you install the MLC. In the MLC manual they have a diagram for where to hook the black, red, white and bare wires when you wire the box, but you need a 8/3 to have a black wire in the box also. It would be a much safer option to wire it directly from the box then to wire the MLC to a dryer cord and plug that in. Plus the dryer circuit would need to be 40amp but doing it this way would be a fire hazard. Make sure as you are installing the cable that you get NO NICKS in the cable sheath and it's a single wire from the panel to the MLC with no splices. Keep in mind you will also need a regular outlet on a 120v circuit to plug the MLC's timer into.
 
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watsupbud

Active Member
Thanks for the reply, so your saying the best way to wire this is straight from my main circuit board with 240v double pole breaker(40amps) plus 8/3 wire, directly into the MLC, instead of going and using the dryer outlet route option, is that correct?
 
bird mcbride

bird mcbride

Well-Known Member
skrillaship said:
This Master Lighting Controller is your subpanel. Install a 240v (double pole) breaker in your main panel and run 8/3 wire from the main panel to wherever you install the MLC. In the MLC manual they have a diagram for where to hook the black, red, white and bare wires when you wire the box, but you need a 8/3 to have a black wire in the box also. It would be a much safer option to wire it directly from the box then to wire the MLC to a dryer cord and plug that in. Plus the dryer circuit would need to be 40amp but doing it this way would be a fire hazard. Make sure as you are installing the cable that you get NO NICKS in the cable sheath and it's a single wire from the panel to the MLC with no splices. Keep in mind you will also need a regular outlet on a 120v circuit to plug the MLC's timer into.
Click to expand...
Ideally you should use a 60amp breaker but I would go with the 50amp. I was lucky and scored some real heavy duty relays that are used in those speed wash machines at the laundromat. There are four terminals rated at 15amps/120vac, three on, one off, when energized. These relays operate on 28vdc. I use a cheap anolog timer to turn them on and off. Electronic parts are really cheap when gotten second hand, sometimes free. I get second hand electrical boxes from local contractors starting out at 8 dollars canadian.
 
S

skrillaship

Member
watsupbud said:
Thanks for the reply, so your saying the best way to wire this is straight from my main circuit board with 240v double pole breaker(40amps) plus 8/3 wire, directly into the MLC, instead of going and using the dryer outlet route option, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Correct

watsupbud said:
Your THEN kinda confused me, i believe you meant to say THAN.
Click to expand...
I apologize for the grammatical confusion, I indeed meant to say "THAN".
 
W

watsupbud

Active Member
skrillaship said:
Correct



I apologize for the grammatical confusion, I indeed meant to say "THAN".
Click to expand...

Should I change the amp from 40 double pole to a 50 or 60 amp double pole for extra safety precautions or should I be fine with a 40amp double? I don't understand how this MLC can handle 8x1000w when each light would draw about 6 amps. With 8 lights thats about 48amps and they said use a 40amp double pole. Is it because the double pole breakers? And if I do change the amp to a bigger breaker i would need to also change the wire rated for the breaker is that correct? Thanks in advance!!!
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
A 1K light draws 4.5 amps @240V, which is what this controller runs on.

Eight lights would be 36 amps.
 
Z

Zensai

Member
Why do you want to uses the MLC vs Running a 40amp circuit from your panel to a hot water heater timer, and wire 8 220 outlets for your ballasts?
 
W

watsupbud

Active Member
As far as putting in the 40amp double breaker, what do I need to look for in the main breaker. Do i need to do any calculations or anything to make sure this is safe to add to the main breaker?
 
W

watsupbud

Active Member


As far as putting in the 40amp double breaker, what do I need to look for in the main breaker. Do i need to do any calculations or anything to make sure this is safe to add to the main breaker?​
 
LIBERTY MEDICAL

LIBERTY MEDICAL

Active Member
watsupbud said:
As far as putting in the 40amp double breaker, what do I need to look for in the main breaker. Do i need to do any calculations or anything to make sure this is safe to add to the main breaker?
Click to expand...
you need to know what the wire is rated for to know how many amps you can run threw it
and ur dryer idea would work fine as long as you dont exceed the amps on breaker
 
W

watsupbud

Active Member
I will not use the dryer plug route, I am going to run from the main panel straight into the MLC Box.

1)What do I need to look for in the main breaker if I am adding a 40amp double pole breaker to it?

2)Do i need to do any calculations for the main breaker before putting in the 40amp double pole breaker so that it doesn't exceed the made breaker?

3)What size wire is recommended. Would an 8/2 romex be safe enough? The manuals for the MLC says 8/2 romex, but people on here is saying 8/3?

4)Anything else that I am missing to get this particular device up and running safely?
 
F

FreeMarcEmery

Member
did you ever get this up and running? im currently in the exact same position you were and am trying to answer the last questions you asked...i know this thread is months old but hopefully someone can help me!
 
A

alsimp89

Member
So, I'm wiring the MLC-4X lighting controller and i found a 220v compressor outlet in my garage that I've rerouted to my room (the wire, not the outlet) and I've run into a bit of a snag. On the diagram with the controller it shows a wire running in with a black wire, a red wire and the ground, but the wire i am trying to connect to my controller has four wires (red, black, green and white)

Any ideas on what i am to do with the white wire?
 
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