double adapters,powerboards, safety?

[denske]

just wondering, how safe are double adapters,powerboards an extension leads, i mean is it ok to get a power board an plug double adapters in it an then run it off an extension lead, i normally used to just plug shit in anywhere in the house an wack double adapters in, but since i got this set up, ive really been thinking about whats cool to have what ,plugged into where," if u get what im saying" an does anyone have any advice or maybe the way u plugg shit in, cheers , overanout

[sweetjane_au]

I had a extention lead coming from the power box to my grow room for 2 years to i got power connected to it, .Make sure you get a good extention lead 1 they use on carvans or something.

[white_cluster]

Dunno how many lights your using, but all is safe, if your just growing for yourself, you can run it all off the one outlet, them caravan cords won't fit your powerpoint, a single powerpoint can have 2200w on it I think, maybe I'm wrong I'm no electrition.

But I run probably 1500w off one powerboard, its a nice powerboard though, with switches for each outlet and a built in surge protector, stole it from a worksite as a kid.

But I can't see why any powerboard would do just as well, I live in a real old house, and have no problems.

[pipeman]

Usually power outlets, chords, boards etc are rated to 10 amps. Thats the standard for houses.

 

Amps = Watts/Volts

 

So a 400W bulb = 400/240 = 1.67amps

600W bulb = 600/240 = 2.5amps

 

Work out the loads of your other gear (fans etc) on the same circuit but you will find it'll be bugger all compared to your lights.

 

Also you need to think about what other houshold appliances run on the same circuit. For example, if my lights, toaster, and kettle are all on the same time my circuit breaker trips. So now I have to eat my toast while my water is boiling. bummer huh.

[Aussie_Smoker]

Your better off buying a heavy duty 15 amp extention lead, think thats what sweetjane meant by caravan lead.

My grow has 15amp power points, so im lucky. A friend bought a huge welder (for looks, he opens up the garage some weekends & makes it look like hes busy with all the welding gear, ), then got a sparkie to fix up wiring properly (to run the welder of course) waited a few months, then used a heavy duty power cord & started his grow, no problems.

Most power boards (dont forget inbuilt surge protectors) have a 2500watt max output, so keep that in mind and dont over load it.

I should take a pic of my room, , its a mess of leads & adaptors ! Nothing has happened ...yet, touch wood

[boe~pimp]

the average 4 outlet power board is around 2400watts, of course 240v and 10amp, a 15amp extension lead is a great idea... but you can't plug them into regular household outlets, you need a 15amp outlet, which technically speaking, will need a sparkie to install

 

a good chunky extension cord is all you need for the average 400/600 setup (i'm running a 400hps & 3 fans atm from a 6 foot extension lead[plugged into timer] then at the end is a four plug board). the thing you have to remember is to keep it short, i would be weary of using one over 6 foot long. the voltage drop over long cords could be enough to load up the powerboard and things running off it and not ending well. I would stop the line at the powerboard and not use double adaptors, if you need more sockets then get a bigger powerboard, or if your going to be running a giant room, you can a mains power power supply that runs from ordinary outlets, and you can get them having up to 20 outlets. but are veery expensive.

 

just remember not to use pissant looking equipment. if it looks heavy duty, it usually is. when running the setup for the first few days, keep an eye on plugs, leads and sockets and make sure they are not getting hot, generally speaking unless it blows up as soon as you turn it on, and does not operate hot, there won't be a problem unless you take it for a swim.

 

cautiosness is a great thing, i've heard some horror stories about a few intellectually challenged individuals setting shit up.. then burning shit down, not a very productive way of instigating your very own cannabis cultivating setup.

[pipeman]

hey boe thats interesting what you say about the longer the lead the more power is drawn from the source. didn't know that, maybe I'll look at shortening up some of my extension leads. I always buy 10m ones in case they come in handy for something else, seems this was the wrong idea...

[Aussie_Smoker]

@ Boe

Ive never heard that one before. I use a 15 meter lead and it runs about 1500w without trouble. My dad also does alot of welding, without probs... learn somthing everyday i guess

[boe~pimp]

i'm a boilermaker, something i learnt back at tafe in those boring theory lessons common electrical rule aswell though, i was speaking to my 'local hydro shop guy' and he said the same thing, just keep the extension leads short.

you only need a lead to travel minimum distance required, aswell as the pain in the ass factor, it's why we don't use 30 foot extension cords for a 5-10 foot job.

 

the 'voltage drop' is more usually noticed in 'DC' circuits, particularly in cars (from the battery to the boot/trunk can loose 3-4 volts) and the same theory applies to AC (power outlets) aswell, only on a bigger scale. theres nothing to say that your 10 foot cord isn't safe pipeman, as long as it doesn't get hot etc it should be fine.

[denske]

thanks boe,, ive been waiting for the sparkie to come to work, then im gonna ask him about this electricity stuff,maybe get some nice powerboards off him, cheers for advice, as i cant ask him if it's safe to have a balast an fans an shit plugged into double adapters, but can ask about overloading shit,