What powerstrip for MH?

Glewis121 · 01-25-2008, 08:33 PM

I just bought a 630 w metal halide setup!

I am wondering though i have heard of regular powerstrips burning up and getting ruined..

are there powerstrip that can handle my 2x 250 metal halide bulbs/balests?

if so where do you get them or is it a better idea to hook them directly into the wall?

DiamondBitsUSA · 01-25-2008, 08:39 PM

Your lights will pull just under 5 amps. Make sure the one you get is rated for that. Add up all of the loads you want to put on it. The powerstrip box will have its rating printed on the box in either watts or amps. To find amps from watts divide by 110.

geekdafied · 01-26-2008, 02:03 AM

This is what I use now after many malfunctioned... Its good for 1875 watts or 15amps. I picked it up at walmart for like $15. Its got 3 places for big adapters and 5 3 prong plugs which makes it a total of 8 outlets.

lunatik_69 · 01-26-2008, 04:15 AM

What ever you do, dont get the coralife power center power stripes. They cant handle mh's. I went through 3 of them until I found out their not good for mh.

Tangster · 01-26-2008, 08:55 AM

Post the type of ballast you have and we can figure it up not all boxes are the same Some are electronic and many of just iron core transformers the secondary wattage power means little , Also will there be anything else plugged into the wall receptacle and power strip ? You have to consider the amperage rating for the line circuit from panel box to the wall receptacle where all will be plugged into also.. Electricity is not a hobby (:

If you guys want to use power strips ? then look here I hate to post a link But you can order direct from them as they will sell to the general public on line These are not Lowe's or harry home owner strips But U/L for a full 15 amp load and heavy duty copper buss bars all I'd ever use Grainger Industrial Supply: Suppressor,Surge 5JK49 Like I said Electricity is not a hobby I have some old liability insurance premiums to prove that (: God knows what malpractice cost today ... Thats why most professional supply houses will not sell to the public they have product liability premiums to deal with .

reef_guru · 01-27-2008, 08:48 PM

i use the same as geek, if the ballast is 14 guage then your gonna need a power strip like the picture below in 12 guage. always one level higher to take up the extra heat involved for the load.

darrell · 01-30-2008, 08:38 AM

If you are able or have a freind that can run you a deticated power line for you that is best i was lucky as i did have a freind that is an electrican and he ran 2 new power outlets from my breaker box to my system then i got a outdoor timer to run the MH,s havent had a problem yet but if you cant do that just be sure to buy a good strip that can handel more than the load you require

david7700 · 01-30-2008, 08:51 AM

Definitely a good idea to plug it directly into the wall instead of through a powerstrip. I just plug mine into a timer (handles up to 1250 watt) and right into an open socket. Hopefully you have one available and your lights don't have multiple plugs!

Dador · 01-30-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrell

If you are able or have a freind that can run you a deticated power line for you that is best i was lucky as i did have a freind that is an electrican and he ran 2 new power outlets from my breaker box to my system then i got a outdoor timer to run the MH,s havent had a problem yet but if you cant do that just be sure to buy a good strip that can handel more than the load you require

Absolutely a good idea! I was surprised that the cost really wasn't bad. Particularly when you consider the consequences of overloading.