Problems with Extension cords for MH?
- Thread starter plum70rt
- Start date
finland
Member
I have an extension cord (about 10ft) for my 250 watt ballasts And have no trouble firing them. . I was a little nervous about using a standard indoor extension cord to push that much current thru, so I got a heavy duty outdoor cord, cut it to the length I wanted, and put a new end on it. No differrence in the operation of the bulbs.
hairtrigger
Active Member
Hey plum, when I used to have a 400 watt halide, I used an extension cord. Like Finland though, I used the outdoor one just to be safe. I was also worried about the current issue. When I get that dual setup I inquired about, I am going to do the same if necessary. But, with the outdoor cord, my halides fired up in the same amount of time as when I used the factory cord. 
mako
Member
watts divided by volts equals currant
18 gauge wire or #16 awg [american wire gauge] is good for 10 amps max
#14 awg is good for 15 amps max.
#12 awg 20 amps
#10 awg 30 amps
#8 awg 48 amps
if you use a #14 on a 20 amp circuit you will more than likely be ok but the wire has the possibility of heating up or becoming a long fuse this is how electrical fires start first the wire heats and over a long period of time the insulation starts to dry out and begins to cracke then the wire it self will begin to detererate causeing more heat the dried up insulation acks like a kindeling and poof here comes the fire department Im not trying to scare any one from building or doing things for them selves but wire size and length are very important things to know when messing with electricity ambeiant tempetures are also things to think about try to place the wires as far away from the lamps as possible and always keep wire connections tight a loose connection causes major heat
18 gauge wire or #16 awg [american wire gauge] is good for 10 amps max
#14 awg is good for 15 amps max.
#12 awg 20 amps
#10 awg 30 amps
#8 awg 48 amps
if you use a #14 on a 20 amp circuit you will more than likely be ok but the wire has the possibility of heating up or becoming a long fuse this is how electrical fires start first the wire heats and over a long period of time the insulation starts to dry out and begins to cracke then the wire it self will begin to detererate causeing more heat the dried up insulation acks like a kindeling and poof here comes the fire department Im not trying to scare any one from building or doing things for them selves but wire size and length are very important things to know when messing with electricity ambeiant tempetures are also things to think about try to place the wires as far away from the lamps as possible and always keep wire connections tight a loose connection causes major heat