Electrical Question

[Grace's Dad]

It looks like I have 7 open slots for double breakers on my circuit panel. How many (all?) should I run to the tank and what size breakers. Also what gauge wire?

I know we have a couple of electricians so I posted here before asking everyone over in DIY.

 

[Grace's Dad]

Forgot, almost everything will be run through a Neptune ACIII w/ a couple dc8s and a dc4hd.

 

[capncapo]

For a 15 amp circuit you would use 14 ga. wire.
For a 20 amp you would use 12 ga. wire.

15 amp outlets are cheap and 14 ga. wire is easier to work with but it's a matter of personal preference. That's what I would use though.

Run as many as you like.

 

[Grace's Dad]

But if I understand/remember what Mark told me (too many beers ago) the dc8s and dc4hd will all plug into each other (daisy chain) and the controller will be the only thing plugging into the outlet?
Or does the controller get plugged in and wired to the dc8 daisy chain which is also plugged in.
It looks like the AquaSurf and Lunar Sim plug directly to the ACIII

Whose running one of these? Should I go ask this over at the neptune forum?

 

[robstl]

the dc4's and dc8's also plug into receptacles. make sure that you can fit tandem breakers in the electrical panel. many times there r only some of the slots which can take tandems, and the rest have to take single breakers or 240 volt breakers. 15 amp circuits r fine as long as you don't have over 12 amps or 1440 watts total.

 

[Grace's Dad]

It's an old? sylvania box. Sticker on the inside panel says- All terminals suitable for AL-CU conductors. Circuit breakers suitable for AL-CU when marked "AL-CU"
Don't know what that means but I changed out an old gas stove for a new electric stove and just stuck the double breaker (AL-CU) right in to one of the open slots. Maybe I just got lucky that it was a double slot?

So is it better to plug each dc8 and dc4 directly into it's own outlet than to daisy chain?

 

[capncapo]

AL = Aluminum
CU = Copper

 

[Grace's Dad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12295015#post12295015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capncapo
AL = Aluminum
CU = Copper

Still doesn't help me when dealing with circuit breakers. Other than I know what type I need. Pretty sure the slots will all take doubles?

Why they gotta go and mix science in there. Messed it up for me too. We use Al and Cu for those. Second letters don't get capitalized.

 

[capncapo]

That means that the box can be used with breakers that are made to be used with copper or aluminum wiring.

 

[tall_jason79]

lol. honestly if you have the extra money and patience i would run a 20 amp circuit . why do all the work of adding it just to need more juice later on, and have to add yet another 15 amp ... jmo

 

[tall_jason79]

but then again have you done a overall load calculation? if your at 98 amps on a 100 amp box ( with ac on of course) it might do more damage then good long term...also what type of panel is it . old federal pacific panels are really bad about NOT tripping when they should and causing a fire ... seen it a few times

 

[TWINPEAKS]

I would check with the county code as madison county (if I remember correctly) doesn't allow 14 gauge wire useage anymore.

 

[robstl]

that's true, 20 amp only. old sylvania breakers r high $$$, open your wallet. sorry for the bad news.

 

[Grace's Dad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12295897#post12295897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tall_jason79
but then again have you done a overall load calculation? if your at 98 amps on a 100 amp box ( with ac on of course) it might do more damage then good long term...also what type of panel is it . old federal pacific panels are really bad about NOT tripping when they should and causing a fire ... seen it a few times

Great I recently replaced an old hot water heater because I thought it crapped out. When the new one wouldn't work I found out it was because a circuit breaker blew but didn't trip.

Any of you electricians heading to the east side soon and want to check my box before I wire anything else that could burn my house down?

 

[Grace's Dad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12296714#post12296714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robstl
that's true, 20 amp only. old sylvania breakers r high $$$, open your wallet. sorry for the bad news.

I think I paid a little over $10 for the double breaker for the hot water heater. Is that high for a circuit breaker?
Didn't seem like it when the water heater was $350.

 

[dbuesking]

i live in fairview if you want an unprofessional opinion. i am in hvac and work with a lot of electrical circuits. might not be able to answer your questions but will tell you what i think.

 

[Grace's Dad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12296774#post12296774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dbuesking
i live in fairview if you want an unprofessional opinion. i am in hvac and work with a lot of electrical circuits. might not be able to answer your questions but will tell you what i think.

Trust me I doubt I would get too technical for you. Just want my box looked at and load checked. (thank god I'm not a woman and we're talking electrical)!

I'm down at the end of Bunkum near the Petroff place where they fix broken semis. let me know next time you'll be near there.

 

[dbuesking]

call me soom time tomorrow and i will make it by this weekend. i will pm you my cell#.

 

[Markk96]

Brian

The Galaxy Ballasts run at 3.6 AMPS each, the DC4HD can do a max of 12 AMPs and current of 15 AMPS.

 

[Grace's Dad]

Guess I need to put these kids to work and figure up all power from the other equipment I'll be using. Unless of course you want to do it for me....