Check Out My Electrical Panel; Step by Step Pics....

[LunarCubes]

I wanted to share my electrial system with everyone. Maybe it will you an idea or few for your future system.....

My electrical system consists of 2 dedicated 20Amp breakers. There are currently 11 outlets, 6 switches, 4 digital timers, auto top-off system, temp controller, Lunar-Cubes dimmer, and Tunze Streams Multicontroller. Here goes the pics of how the panel was constructed......

First, a 1/2" piece of plywood was cut and 12 surface mount junction boxes were mounted.

 

[LunarCubes]

Next the ground wires wer run throughout the junction boxes. Note that the last box on the bottom right doesn't receive any grounds or neutrals since it will house the relay for the auto top-off system.

 

[LunarCubes]

The neutrals were then run to all boxes except the realy box.

 

[LunarCubes]

The outlets were then added and the neutral and grounds were connected. Note that the 2 rows on the left are 1 circuit and the 2 rows to the right are on another circuit. Each has its own GFCI for protection which all of the standard outlets are daisy-changed through.

 

[LunarCubes]

The Hot wires were run and then the outlets were screwed in. The covers were also added. Note the bundle of wires to the left go to the source and the bundle of hot wires to the right go to the switch and timer panel.

Here is a breakdown of how the outlets are wired... I will name them by number in this format...

1....2....3....4

5....6....7....8

9....10....11....12

- 1 & 2 are always on
- 5 goes to timer #1
- 6 goes to timer #2
- 9 goes to timer #3
- 10 goes to timer #4

- 3 is always on for the temp controller
- 4 goes to switches #1 & 2
- 7 goes to switches #3 & 4
- 8 goes to switches #5 & 6
- 11 is for the auto top-off system
- 12 houses the relay

 

[LunarCubes]

Here is a close-up of the relay.

 

[LunarCubes]

Next junction boxes for the digital timers and the switches were mounted and wires were run through them.

 

[LunarCubes]

Here is another picture of the junction boxes. You can see the electrical panel mounted in the stand in the background.

 

[LunarCubes]

Here you can see the electrical panel mounted and the supply line come in that was run through the attic from the breaker box.

 

[LunarCubes]

Although its side-ways, you can see where the conduit comes down through the wall and runs to the panel.

 

[LunarCubes]

The digital timers were then added along with the switches. Each of the 2 switches to the right actually has 3 switches built in to it for a total of 6 seperate switches in a dual junction box, which saves space. The first timer is for the dual MH, the second is for the single MH, the third is for the PC, and the forth is for the moons and I may add the fuge light to it if I dont run it 24/7. The reason I didnt put all 3 MH on one timer is the fact the timer couldn't handle that much of a load.

 

[LunarCubes]

Here you can see the panel all finished and mounted. The Blue boxes to the right are the drivers for the Tunze Streams. The left outlet next to the relay box is unique. The top socket is always on (the black AC adapter plugged into it powers the auto top-off system) and the bottom socket is switched on and off by the auto top-off system (the white AC adapter plugged into it powers the solenoid valve on the RO/DI system)

 

[LunarCubes]

Here are the controllers mounted to the door. The grey controller to the left is the dual stage temp controller which is in charge of the chiller and heater. The big black controller to the right is the Tunze Stream controller. The white controller underneath the Tunze is my auto top-off system controller which I created. It has 3 LEDs which indicate its status; green = on, red = off, blue = system active and adding water. The switch allows the system to be turned off easily when doing water changes. The last controller which is inbetween the temp and Tunze is the Lunar-Cubes dimmer which allows the moon lights to be dimmed at the touch of a button.

 

[LunarCubes]

Thanks for looking and if you have any questions about it, please feel free to post them.....

- Jeremy

 

[gonefishin]

Where does that one lose wire in the third picture go? J/K nice job man.

 

[Navymedic]

Good Job bro, Come over and do my stand next

 

[5y5tem 0verload]

Wouldn't happen to have a wiring schematic of your panel would you?

 

[LunarCubes]

Thanks for the feedback Sorry, I dont have a schematic of the wiring. Well, I guess I do but its in my head hehe. If you really want one I could probably draw it out for you when I get a chance....

- Jeremy

 

[Bene']

LunarCubes,

I have a few questions.

1) Why did you connect the boxes with the punch holes instead of using conduit? Why orient the openings at the top of the boxes and not the bottom side instead? That panel is located under a tank isn't it?

2) Is that 2 or 3 dedicated circuits coming through the wall to feed the array? Those 20 amp each?

3) With the several open outlets what's up with the pair of 3-way plugs in the second row from the top?

Wish I had the time and cash to put something like that together. It's so clean and complete I'm almost drooling. Having the electricians wire me up 7 20 amp dedicated circuits in my basement pales next to your array.

 

[markw78]

Why are only 2 of them GFIs?