electrical help please

[Yinger]

I have my computer, tank and project lcd tv all in the same room and I had everything running at the same time, however, when i was vaccuming the room, everything went out. I had my computer running with 2 LCD monitors, only the VHOs on tank, the chiller was on, and the skimmer and return pump, the TV was on and just turned on the vacuum when everthing went out. Is there any way to fix this problem... I'm worried if the halides come on, I might have the same problems. I think all the sockets in this room are on one circuit. Or do vaccum cleaners just eat up a lot of electricity?

 

[gcarroll]

Re: electrical help please

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7706628#post7706628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yinger
I think all the sockets in this room are on one circuit. Or do vaccum cleaners just eat up a lot of electricity?

You already have the answers!

 

[Yinger]

haha, is there anyway to fix it? This is the only room downstairs so I can't get an extension to another outlet. Anything I can do?

 

[gcarroll]

Do you own the place?

 

[Yinger]

my gf does, but i don't like where this is going haha

 

[chalowolf]

Have her get an electrician to install a 2 outlets with thier own breakers for your tank.

 

[NicoleC]

You need to install a second circuit downstairs.

 

[Yinger]

hmm... so basically call an electrician huh ahha. Anyone know how much that will run?

 

[chalowolf]

I live in an apartment , same predicament. I am going to install another outlet next to my tank and feed it from one of the bedrooms outlets. Not much power being used in the bedroom.
Psssst dont tell the landlord........

 

[BigElephant]

probably 200 with licensed electrician and depending on the run. It would be best to give them a call.

 

[Jar*Head]

Yinger, i feel your pain. My power strip shut down on me lastnight on my 240g cube. I have approx 200g of water on the floor. Thanks god the tank is in the garage. I plan to get the electrician myself to install new breaker. If you find out anything or getting better deal before me, please let me know so i can call him myself.

thanks

 

[bonbon060604]

breaker is easy to install. go to HD buy a new larger compacity, same as your, shut down power pull old one out, put new one in.

I changed from 10amp to 20amp, for like 15 buck.

 

[bonbon060604]

I used to have the same problem, I replaced the outside main breaker no more power tripping or shut off.

 

[Jar*Head]

Don't you have to replace new wire since the old wire is rate for certain amount of amp? What if the wire getting too hot? My breaker box look weird, all other breaker has number 20 on it but the main breaker show 15. What does it mean?

 

[bonbon060604]

Each breaker control certain outlets inside your house, 15-20amp is alot, mine was 10-15amp and I replaced it with 20amp.

15-20amp is how much power, pump, lights all the power wattage add up to amp. With my 2 x 250w, 3 x 175w, pumps, 1/2HP chiller..etc it add up to like 15 + amp

So you should find which breaker control the your tank, if it's 20 then change to 25 or it's 15 then go with 20.

Don't jump from 15 to 30 or from 20 to 40 this is very dangerous.

HD have it for like 10-15 dollar, buy a same breaker like the one you have at home. Turn the breaker off, un-screw one side w/ wire at a time ( don't touch both wires ) just one wire at a time. Once you get both wire connected / screw to thenew breaker, push it back in place. Turn the break back on.

You don't have to change the wire since you only upgrade the breaker from 15 to 20 or 20-30, your old wire should be good.

Or you can run your electric cords to a different breaker. Run a extension cord to a different outlet from a differnt breaker, then you don't have any more problem.

Lets say chiller can run from a different outlet, lights from a different outlet. In this case you are using more than 1 breaker to share the power. DONT PLUG everything into 1 outlet.

 

[bad santa]

If you don't know anything about the electrical panel "DON'T MESS WITH IT". Its not worth it if you electrocute yourself or start a fire to save a few bucks. You don't know if the person that lived there before you upgraded the breakers, and your going to upgrade to a bigger breaker? Theres nothing scarier that turning on the main breaker and just smelling burned wiring in the walls. Spend the $ now not later when it will definitely be more $.

 

[hipertec]

I am having the same problem. I wanted to upgrade my breaker from 15 to 20 but the guy at HD told me that my wire in my house will not handle it, since standard is 14 gauge for 15amp and 12 gauge for 20 amp.
So right now I am trying to control what turns on in this particular room.
Anyone have any suggustions?
Any electricrians here?

 

[JenDub]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7707664#post7707664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bonbon060604
breaker is easy to install. go to HD buy a new larger compacity, same as your, shut down power pull old one out, put new one in.

I changed from 10amp to 20amp, for like 15 buck.

WOW - that is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO Dangerous!!! Unless your wiring is rated for 20 amp you need to switch back NOW!!!!

The breaker is there to trip the circuit if the load is more than the wire can handle. If the breaker doesn't trip because it has been replaced with a larger breaker your wire will overhead, catch fire & burn the joint down (possible with you & your loved ones inside!!!!).

Oh man, call an electrician and tell him what you did if you don't believe me; I'm sure they will answer for free....

 

[july865]

plug a small lamp into each outlet. not one at a time. shut off one circuit at a time and note on the panel with PEN. as for the appliances, ie; stove, refer, oven, wash/dry. have them on also.

 

[SteveOhh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7708235#post7708235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JenDub
WOW - that is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO Dangerous!!! Unless your wiring is rated for 20 amp you need to switch back NOW!!!!

The breaker is there to trip the circuit if the load is more than the wire can handle. If the breaker doesn't trip because it has been replaced with a larger breaker your wire will overhead, catch fire & burn the joint down (possible with you & your loved ones inside!!!!).

Oh man, call an electrician and tell him what you did if you don't believe me; I'm sure they will answer for free....

I second what Jendub says.....................the reason the breaker was a 10 amp? (havent heard of a 10 amp breaker in forever) is because the wiring was designed to handle 10 amps (probably 14 gauge wire, which COULD handle 15 amps), however if a 10 amp breaker was installed, there is no way that wiring could handle 20 amps. The thickness of the wire (commonly called the gauge) determines how many amps it can handle. A wire will handle any amps, however putting a huge amp load on a thin wire will result in the wire getting very hot & melting the insulation. Once the insulation is melted, the wire is bare & very hot. If there is any insulation in the walls, this will be the first thing that WILL catch fire when the wire's insulation has burned off.

Where are you located?? I could come by & give your electrical system a once over & give you a price for running a new circuit dedicated to your tanks & equipment. PM me if interested.