One Coyote Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 (edited) Hi there, Does anyone have experience in splicing off two pre exisiting light circuits in the home to run a small 2400w light management unit? So thats two seperate electrical lines running into a single light management unit. Im looking at only 11-12 amps of continuous load here. Would it be better to run off a single pre existing lighting circuit rather than two? Thanks in advance Edited October 27, 2014 by One Coyote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stoned Jester Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 Unless you are a registered electrician i wouldn't be screwing around re-wiring anything ... if anything happens your screwed cause insurance wont cover if the house burns down, you die etc etc. If you can get one in to do it no problems, but if stealth / security is the issue it's up to you, just gotta deal with / accept the consequences .... rock and hard place i know but them's the breaks as they say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Coyote Posted October 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 Thanks TSJ, Another question then, how do others in here run their lighting? Im looking to run 4 x 600w thats it! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naycha Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 I use a pre existing powerpoint. If I need to use more power than that circuit can handle I use an extension cord from a powerpoint on another circuit. Far from ideal but it's what I do. Have you considered getting an electrician to wire a circuit to the room that can handle the load and telling them it's for something else? Naycha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap'n yNg Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 600w lights (assuming hps or mh) run off a ballast that plugs into the mains (wall socket) not the lighting circuit man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangwena Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 I'm a sparky Coyote, you will cook your lighting circuit. Just get a sparky as naycha said you can put it in an adjacent room or in the room if you are not set up yet. For that load I would get a 15amp dedicated circuit this will handle any fans ect that you need to connect as well as the lights.Should cost about $200 to $250 depending on the difficulty of the run to the distribution board. Tell him its for an air conditioner to be installed at a later date. Then he will think nothing of it.What you are planning is way to much for a domestic light circuit to handle safely.Tangwena 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Coyote Posted October 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 Thanks for the advice. Any other sparky's out there? - Just kidding.... Im stubborn, ive heard splicing done before. I just double checked the circuit i was looking to tap off, its a 16amp circuit. After looking in the back of the electical panel, it looks like a fuc#r of a job to get a electrician to run a new line in the back (no direct access from under house -where the line needs to come from) , + the room in question is made from brick, not to mention its a rental property. I dont mind paying for the job, but Im trying to make as little 'permanent' fuss getting power to the room... Still looks like maybe the only option will be to try the Sparky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merl1n Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 I'm a sparky Coyote, you will cook your lighting circuit. Just get a sparky as naycha said you can put it in an adjacent room or in the room if you are not set up yet. For that load I would get a 15amp dedicated circuit this will handle any fans ect that you need to connect as well as the lights. Should cost about $200 to $250 depending on the difficulty of the run to the distribution board. Tell him its for an air conditioner to be installed at a later date. Then he will think nothing of it. What you are planning is way to much for a domestic light circuit to handle safely. Tangwena+1 Get a sparky 13amp is not available, 10, 15, 20amp. An individual circuit is MUCH, MUCH safer (same with getting a sparky). The only draw from it is your room. And the excuse of an airconditioner is perfect. Big in-windowaircon units need 15amp minimum, so no questions. 600w lights (assuming hps or mh) run off a ballast that plugs into the mains (wall socket) not the lighting circuit man. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT TRY/ATTEMPT/even CONTEMPLATE the idea of using the light circuit. The circuit is designed to be specifically used by lights and not designed to take the large start up load of your HID lights. You will have a fire. Any insurance, be that your own or that of your landlords, will be null and void due to illegal activity. So if the house burns down the debt will be YOURS. PLEASE use a registered electrician, not just your mate Johnno from down the pub. The sparky is trained and has insurances that covers his work and installation. Merl1n 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangwena Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 Coyote what looks impossible to the untrained will be more than possible I assure you.Tangwena 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Coyote Posted October 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thanks Tangwena :-) I appreciate your time for my post. Im about to book an electrician ( i over think things haha) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.