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10/26/2009, 11:02 PM | #1 |
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Anybody do electrical work????
So right now i have my whole 550 gallon setup running off of another line that i tapped into... some times it overloads the circuit breaks, or what ever u call it... anyway i was wondering if someone live in or around the Los Gatos, south san jose area that was willing to work for trade.. i have lots of corals and other equipment, what ever is fair... I think we need to add another breaker box, (not sure exactly what its called. .Please let me know if u can help...
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10/27/2009, 09:28 AM | #2 |
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how far is the tank from main breaker box?? is there room to add another 20amp breaker to current box??
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10/27/2009, 01:02 PM | #3 |
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You may want to add another breaker like discus mentioned
A 20 Amp should yeild you 1500 - 2200 watts. I wouldn't push it to the limit of 2200 watts. I'd say 1700watts tops. But seeing how you have a 550g, I'd advise you to add in (2) 20amps or (2)15amps to accommadate your electrical needs. They're about 5-10 bucks a breaker. If you're concerned about your house burning down, you can get the more expensive ones that are really, really sensitive. Costs you about 30-40 bucks each. It's fairly simple, just don't electrocute yourself. |
10/27/2009, 02:11 PM | #4 |
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10/27/2009, 02:34 PM | #5 |
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So... there is not more room in the box for another breaker... i need to add i new box i think...any one available to come do it?????
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10/27/2009, 08:03 PM | #6 |
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That's going to be a lot of work, seriously a lot of work hahaha.
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10/27/2009, 08:18 PM | #7 |
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i have lots of frogspawn... hahaha well if someone is up for it let me know
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10/28/2009, 12:41 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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- Andy Current Tank Info: 160 gal |
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10/28/2009, 01:34 AM | #9 |
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If you were closer I could refer my nephew...
If your tank is close to your breaker it shouldn't cost that much. But fishme is right about the extra slots. You have to add up the amps you currently have in that breaker and compare it to the one outside on the side of your home. That will give you an idea of how many you can add. If equal then you may need to upgrade the main as well. Like others said, it's not easy to do and not worth getting yourself killed or burning down your house putting everyone in harms way. Let a trained perfessional who is trained, license and bonded do it for you. |
10/28/2009, 03:16 AM | #10 |
The cyborg reefer
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If you are not comfortable with electricity, then get a pro in there. That being said, are there any circuts you are not using in your panal. In my case, I don't use the electric heating that my house came with, and it was a simple matter to run a seperate panal off the 30 amp 220 wires that were close enough to my fish room. Do you have wiring for an electric stove or dryer that you don't use (I.E using gas) or eletric heat in that room that you can tap? if so it would be easy to walk you through what needs to be done from that point./
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10/28/2009, 10:50 AM | #11 |
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If you have a fairly new breaker box, you might see if they make a double breaker for that box (I don't know what it is really call). Basically it has 2 breaker that fits into one breaker slot. You still have to make sure the main breaker could handle it though. Like everyone said, I would hire a license electrician to do this. It's just not worth trying to save money on this.
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10/28/2009, 11:15 AM | #12 |
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Make sure the power is off where you're working, on the panel.
Buy a book and take a look at it. Or just go to Home Depot / Lowes and see if you're willing to go through all that work. After you've finished, you'll learn something new and you can pass it on to others. Goodluck! |
10/28/2009, 11:35 AM | #13 |
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Think about this: if you do it wrong, your house burns down, and the inspector finds out you did it yourself, they won't cover you. Not worth it. For a few bucks you can get someone in to check it out for you, to tell you what you're looking at, and to give you an estimate on the work. Totally worth it.
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10/28/2009, 04:26 PM | #14 |
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honestly sayin how many ppl actually have a breaker or a new sub panel install when there building a new fish tank??
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10/28/2009, 06:13 PM | #15 | |
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You can say something to popes, kings and presidents, but you can't talk to officials. In the next war they ought to give everyone a whistle Current Tank Info: 72x36x30 |
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10/28/2009, 06:44 PM | #16 |
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I have (2) 20's as well.
It was more than enough for my huge set up. The bill goes with it. |
10/29/2009, 02:32 AM | #17 |
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I installed a sub panel with 4ea 20 amp breaker supplying by 50amp breaker from the main panel for my tanks.
Last edited by dswong01; 10/29/2009 at 03:20 AM. |
10/29/2009, 11:09 AM | #18 | |
The cyborg reefer
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Quote:
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Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild. |
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10/29/2009, 06:42 PM | #19 |
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I'm an electrician and I live in the southbay as well so pm me and I can come take a look
this weekend |
10/31/2009, 06:17 PM | #20 |
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lol now im wondering if i need to run 2 20amp to where my tank is
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06/09/2011, 10:41 AM | #21 |
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06/09/2011, 01:01 PM | #22 |
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How did you find this 2 years old thread?
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One of the most frustrating thing about this hobby? The blind leading the blind. |
06/09/2011, 04:52 PM | #23 |
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yea this is an old thread. my tank is already sold and house rented out and now livin in san jose
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550 gallon tank, corals, electrical work, trade |
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