Help with outlet box/panel

[newsalt]

I wanted to build a panel or box that will plug into a wall outlet near my tank which will house 4 or 5 outlets that I can use to plug various items into. I originally wanted to buy a power strip, but the problem with a power strip is that when you plug a timer to it, the size of the timer covers other outlets. I'm going to need three timers, one for my auto top-off, one for my blue light, and one for my white light.

I was wondering if anyone has built something like this. I would need to know how to wire it, what size wires to use, do I need GFI outlets.

I attached a picture of what I wanted to build. It's a little blurry, but I think you can see my idea. The dashed line represents the timers.

Thanks

[advntrsekrs]

I am no help on the outlet box idea but, I did see an electrical device lately that solves the oversize plug problem. It was a "plug" that you plugged into the power strip. You could then use all the slots on the power strip. I will try and find that site. Meanwhile, maybe somebody knows what I am talking about and can help both of us out.

[wildcat]

I'm no expert.

Here's what I did.

The first plug in the sequence should be a GFCI. Each plug that follows in the circuit after the GFCI (assuming it was fed from the GFCI) will be protected as well.

From there its just a matter of taking the wires and running them from one plug to the next. Black to brass, white to chrome (read instructions but I think this is it)

Are you aware that there are timers that are hard wired similar to an outlet that are the same size. You could wire these into your box. THey are made by intermatic and are available at HD.

You can also put an outlet on a timer so you can shut off your pump for a predetermined time or wire an on/off switch to turn the pumps off. Makes feeding a little easier.

HTH

[BoomerD]

A couple of different points to touch on here.
First, the "power center". I built something very similar for under my tank many years ago. EVERY outlet in the thing goes through a GCFI for my protection. Not terribly hard to build, a bit of a PITA to get everything just right, but nothing technical .Home Depot or where ever you get your parts can tell you which size wire you need to use to meet code.
Next, they make power strips that have several outlets, like these

TrippLite 24 outlet strip
That gives you more than you generally need, and they're babout 4' long, so they go the width of the tank in case some of short cords like some heaters have.
Next, il the outdoor line of heavy duty timers. Made for things like swimmming pool pumps, exterior lighting, and other outdoor things you want on timers. Like these:

Available at Home Depots or other hardware stores. That picture came from HERE But I don't know if the site will allow me to link to it...Just fo to Home Depot and serch for intermatic.
By the way, the 180 I'm building...WILL NOT have the power center built for it...I have 1 of the 24 outlet power strips and 4 of the 6 outlet strips, and timers like I showed. Also a corded GCFI between the wall and the power strip.

[advntrsekrs]

Here are the power strip helpers.

http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/s...sp?T1=121+2550

[deaclauderdale]

Wildcat do you have any photos? I would like to do something similar with the hardwired timers, saw someone else on here with that and it looked great.

[billyr98]

Lots of good ideas already there.... But it is easy to make anything you would want... Get some masonary gangable boxes and make the Junction Box as big as you want it.. This is what I did... And I do for a living (being an electrician)...

But Make sure you start the circuit on a GFCI breaker or receptacle...

Good Luck...

here is bad shot of my boxes...