Breaker Problems

bboats · #1 08/25/2006, 01:19 PM

How do you guys run your electical equipment when your fuse box cant handle the draw? Im in that situation with the chiller and lighting that I use. I have to run the chiller to another outlet in the house which requires an extension cord. The instrutions for my chiller say to avoid extension cords though. Is this a fire hazard? Thanks in advance!

CW from the OC · #2 08/25/2006, 01:41 PM

Yes it is a problem, the instruction say that for a reason. Your house could burn down.

Pay an electrician some $$ to run another 20 amp circuit to your tank. Get him to do a GFCI as well.

This is the first and most important thing you can do, we're talking about your personal safety.

old salty · #3 08/25/2006, 09:59 PM

What he said^^^.

bboats · #4 08/25/2006, 11:25 PM

Yeah thats the plan. I called the manufacter and he said its not an issure as long as you have a good quality extension cord. Ill definetly have to wire up some new plugs though.

old salty · #5 08/25/2006, 11:32 PM

You are correct. The extension cords sold at Dummy Depot vary in their load capacity. The flimsy, flat, brown ones are not what you want to use. The heavy duty orange ones that contracters use would be fine.

RicGio · #6 08/26/2006, 07:34 PM

Look for a cord using at least 14 gage wire. Usually an air conditioner ext cord is good.

slant77 · #7 08/27/2006, 07:01 PM

As long as your using a heaver gage cord you will be just fine

bboats · #8 08/27/2006, 10:14 PM

Sweet thank, im using that until I can do it right!

jag1979 · #9 08/28/2006, 12:04 PM

I'm having an electrition add another circuit to the room that I will be setting up the aquarium...he said it will be less than $200, better to be safe

bboats · #10 08/28/2006, 01:56 PM

So i guess he has to run new wires to that room right? The existing wires only handle so much before the fuse pops? $200 isnt bad at all! thanks

20 20 · #11 08/28/2006, 03:26 PM

It depends on the access to the room. Through the wall? My tank is in my finished basement. Half of the basement has a drywalled ceiling, the other have has a drop-ceiling. Unfortunately the tank is going in the half with the drywalled ceiling. So, I ran the wires above the drop ceiling as close the the tank's spot as I could, and then ran them down the outside of the wall and along the baseboard to the tanks location, and hid the wires with the metal 'wire hiders/guides' (or whatever they're called) that I bought at Home Depot. Two 20 amp circuits with GFI breakers. Much less expensive than having someone else do it.

bboats · #12 08/28/2006, 03:41 PM

Ahhh good idea. I didnt think about running the wires through the attic then dropping them down. Thats what I will do. Does the GFI breaker handle the chiller draw?

jag1979 · #13 08/28/2006, 03:48 PM

I don't want to kill my self or burn my house down so I will just pay the man the money. He is running the wires from the new circuit through the attic though.

bboats · #14 08/28/2006, 03:56 PM

yeah not a bad idea

Eric Boerner · #15 08/28/2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CW from the OC
Get him to do a GFCI as well.

Probably the most important investment of insurance you can ever make in the hobby. The one thing you dont want to skimp out on.

Dont let this happen to you, like it almost did to me....

jkreefer · #16 09/12/2006, 12:20 AM

wow.....can u give more details on the pic?