Electrical Box . . .

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 02:48 PM

Ok here is what I am wanting to find/build (that's scary in itself).

I am looking to replace my power strips (Heavy Duty ones) with a single power panel that has some type of on/off for each outlet. Sort of like the old school power strip that some how just disappeared. I was thinking of a large rectangular box with a heavy duty cord and maybe 10+ switched outlets on it with each one being spaced enough to where if I have "transformer plugs" they will fit.

I have a LOT of room inside my cabinet on the end unit well away from splashing water & salt spray. I'd like to get all my wires neat and tidy & labeled!

Anyone have a link or an idea?

tippMANn98 · 02-13-2008, 02:50 PM

why not make a dedicated circuit for the tank ONLY, and install timed wall outlets and what not...

Jason25 · 02-13-2008, 02:51 PM

AL, you can use Gang Boxes that you can buy in Home Depot or Lowes. They allow you to chain them together in a series using as many as you need. I would use something on the line of a toggle switch or something similar as they are small and would look cool. Just remember that you can typically run about 6 outlets on a 15 amp breaker before you will over load it.

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 02:53 PM

Huh? Daniel you mean a dedicated circuit breaker box? It's a rental house (and VERY old at that) so I don't know how "Feasible" that idea is.

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason25

AL, you can use Gang Boxes that you can buy in Home Depot or Lowes. They allow you to chain them together in a series using as many as you need. I would use something on the line of a toggle switch or something similar as they are small and would look cool. Just remember that you can typically run about 6 outlets on a 15 amp breaker before you will over load it.

Just six? That means I'm blued screwed and tattooed!! Let's see... right now I have

1 MH plug
1 T5 plug
1 LED moon light plugs (tranformer style)
2 Koralia PH plugs
1 Mag18 plug
1 Fuge light plug
1 skimmer plug
2 Heater plugs

That's running off of one wall outlet right now. Grrrr this is NOT looking good at all!! am I going to need to call an electrician?

tippMANn98 · 02-13-2008, 02:57 PM

sorry al, i did not know..i knew a guy that had a home built dedicated circuit, with its own outlets with dig. timers, even had dimmers, it was freaking crazy!

Jason25 · 02-13-2008, 02:59 PM

What you have to remember is that more than likely the outlet you are plugged into is not dedicated to that outlet only.You could always add up the total amps you will be drawing and see where your at.FYI, you can use more outlets as long as you are not over the amp rating of the breaker and use 12-2 wire if you are even close.

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippMANn98

sorry al, i did not know..i knew a guy that had a home built dedicated circuit, with its own outlets with dig. timers, even had dimmers, it was freaking crazy!

Oh no need for sorry Bro! I appreciate the input and it's something I'd like to get a "Pro" to look at. I mean if it didn't cost and arm & leg and didn't "detract" from the house I don't have a problem and neither would the landlord.

tippMANn98 · 02-13-2008, 03:01 PM

it shouldnt cost ALL That much, you could even wire the outlets, I changed outlets in my apt, its easy, only 2 wires....just a thought

ScubaDrew · 02-13-2008, 03:02 PM

Al, not sure how computer savvy you are (i'm under the impression you like them for some reason) but I use an RPC3 (Baytech) which is controllable over ethernet, supports power loss scenarios, measures current draw, etc. There is one on EBAY for a hundred something dollars... Its an interesting high-tech solution....

Theres also the power strips on the aqua controllers...

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason25

What you have to remember is that more than likely the outlet you are plugged into is not dedicated to that outlet only.You could always add up the total amps you will be drawing and see where your at.

Oh you're RIGHT On the money there. To make matters worse (getting kind of sketchy already) is that this out WAS the end of the house. It used to be on an Outside Wall. Many moons ago, in a land far far away.. oh sorry wrong story! Many years ago this house was remodeled and the carport was closed in and turned into the kitchen. Apparently they just "piggy backed" (probably not an "electrical" term) into this outlet to give the new kitchen power. The ONLY reason I suspect this is when I replaced this outlet on 1/2007 for a GFCI unit I killed the power to the kitchen when I wired up this outlet wrong. Nothing Up-Stream of this outlet was affected but the kitchen was DOA until I found the err to my ways. Now on this circuit is the dining room, living room and now kitchen. This house doesn't have a LOT of plugs but it has some. I'd guess maybe 8- 10 plugs on it total. Makes me kind of wonder now....

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaDrew

Al, not sure how computer savvy you are (i'm under the impression you like them for some reason) but I use an RPC3 (Baytech) which is controllable over ethernet, supports power loss scenarios, measures current draw, etc. There is one on EBAY for a hundred something dollars... Its an interesting high-tech solution....

Theres also the power strips on the aqua controllers...

Who is that strange man posting in My thread?

Hey Drew! How's life buddy? Great I hope!!

Compooter Savvy? Well I turned one on once!

I'd suffice to say I have some background experience in the field. I'll look into that unit right now.

Thanks

Jason25 · 02-13-2008, 03:11 PM

Do you have any knowledge of electrical stuff? It would not be very hard to add a breaker into the fuse box if there is room. All that you need to do is run 12-2 wire to the breaker box wire it in add the breaker and away you go.

BigAl07 · 02-13-2008, 03:14 PM

I have SOME knowledge but I ALWAYS get shocked. The GOOD news is I have "Friends" in the trade! Sounds to me like it's time to "Call in a favor".

Jason25 · 02-13-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

I have SOME knowledge but I ALWAYS get shocked. The GOOD news is I have "Friends" in the trade! Sounds to me like it's time to "Call in a favor".

Well then by all means STAY OUT OF THE BREAKER BOX, lol there is alot of juice in there and we would have to change your name to "ElectricAl".

02-13-2008, 02:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Electrical Box . . . Ok here is what I am wanting to find/build (that's scary in itself). I am looking to replace my power strips (Heavy Duty ones) with a single power panel that has some type of on/off for each outlet. Sort of like the old school power strip that some how just disappeared. I was thinking of a large rectangular box with a heavy duty cord and maybe 10+ switched outlets on it with each one being spaced enough to where if I have "transformer plugs" they will fit. I have a LOT of room inside my cabinet on the end unit well away from splashing water & salt spray. I'd like to get all my wires neat and tidy & labeled! Anyone have a link or an idea? __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

02-13-2008, 02:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Electrical Box . . . AL, you can use Gang Boxes that you can buy in Home Depot or Lowes. They allow you to chain them together in a series using as many as you need. I would use something on the line of a toggle switch or something similar as they are small and would look cool. Just remember that you can typically run about 6 outlets on a 15 amp breaker before you will over load it.

02-13-2008, 02:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Electrical Box . . . Huh? Daniel you mean a dedicated circuit breaker box? It's a rental house (and VERY old at that) so I don't know how "Feasible" that idea is. __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

02-13-2008, 02:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Electrical Box . . . What you have to remember is that more than likely the outlet you are plugged into is not dedicated to that outlet only.You could always add up the total amps you will be drawing and see where your at.FYI, you can use more outlets as long as you are not over the amp rating of the breaker and use 12-2 wire if you are even close.

02-13-2008, 03:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,043 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Electrical Box . . . Al, not sure how computer savvy you are (i'm under the impression you like them for some reason) but I use an RPC3 (Baytech) which is controllable over ethernet, supports power loss scenarios, measures current draw, etc. There is one on EBAY for a hundred something dollars... Its an interesting high-tech solution.... Theres also the power strips on the aqua controllers... __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

02-13-2008, 03:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Electrical Box . . . Do you have any knowledge of electrical stuff? It would not be very hard to add a breaker into the fuse box if there is room. All that you need to do is run 12-2 wire to the breaker box wire it in add the breaker and away you go.

02-13-2008, 03:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Electrical Box . . . I have SOME knowledge but I ALWAYS get shocked. The GOOD news is I have "Friends" in the trade! Sounds to me like it's time to "Call in a favor". __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

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