There would be a big cost difference, wire is very expensive right now. We all agree, and I have said, he should run some real service back there. As I stated, if it was me, I would run #2-3, I even have some #000 I can make him a deal on, that ought'a make you guys happy. And hopefully something like that is what he will decide to do. Though he seems to be conspicuously absent in this discussion. However, if for what ever reason, he is going to tap an existing circuit, just to run some lights, which is his stated intention. Then going overboard doing it is senseless.
Lighting question
- Thread starter volcamp
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lovemytoys
Gold Member
the diff between 12/2 and 12/3 for 250 feet is 60 dollars .for so that a big diff.if it was me i would only want to do it once.you have to remebber when there is a voltage drop the amps goes up ,.which put a strain on everything ,your bulb wouldnt last as long .it would shorten the life of the ref.you can do what ever you want ,but thats what i would do .ray are you a elertrian ?im for 27 year so i think i know a thing or to .thats my 2 cents
tallyho8
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The original poster wants to hook up his lights to an EXISTING circuit in his barn which is probably 12g.
Using these parameters, it would be useless to run #6 wire as lovemytoys suggested, or #2 or #000, if you are just going to hook it up to an existing 12 g wire.
This is why I suggested using 4 100w HPS lights instead.
By the way, my arena is 100 yards from my barn also, and I have 800 watts of HPS bulbs working decently on 240 volts and I have 12/2 wire.
Using these parameters, it would be useless to run #6 wire as lovemytoys suggested, or #2 or #000, if you are just going to hook it up to an existing 12 g wire.
This is why I suggested using 4 100w HPS lights instead.
By the way, my arena is 100 yards from my barn also, and I have 800 watts of HPS bulbs working decently on 240 volts and I have 12/2 wire.
lovemytoys
Gold Member
220v is the way to go.when i said #6 wire i meant all the home not to tap into his existing circuit.you know it and i what he needs now isnt what he need in a week or month or 2.if you are digging a trench do it once and get it over with
The "big difference" statement was in reference to:lovemytoys said:
Meaning, the difference between running one circuit, and running enough service to have a separate panel.wedge40 said:
lovemytoys, we either seem to be having trouble communicating or you just want to argue. I can't seem to find any common ground with you even though, I also suggested the 12-3 wire, your apparently for, early in the thread.
Your major point of contention seems to be over using 12-2, I have suggested it will work in this case, even though I stipulated, it is not by the book. The reason I said it will work, is because I have done it. You have said, that you believe it will not work based on you experience.
In the interest of peace and harmony, can we at least, agree to disagree?
lovemytoys
Gold Member
ray i agree so lets go with 12/3 lol
mopacman
Silver Member
soundguy I think you and I are trying to say the same thing. Lower voltage on a bulb will use less wattage, draw less amps put out less light and heat and the bulb will last longer.....Been checking and setting voltage on bulbs for forty years.......LarrySoundguy said:
rambler
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I think it's a real bad idea to extend this circut 333 feet, add 4-7 amps of use way out there, and have a fridge as well as 3 more recepticals ALL on the same line, which we do not know if it is a 14 or 12 ga wire....... And we don't know how long the current wire run is either.....
It is not a good idea at all. Too many unknowns.
If it is a 12 ga with 20 amp breaker, it might work. But not a good idea.
If it is 14 ga which is 15 amp - it's is way out of bounds.
The trench & the time is most of a person's money. Do it right, get 20 amps out there on it's own, so you can have a recepticle out there too, in addition to the lights. Why waste the time & money for something that will harm your fridge and only barely possibly cover your needs? The fancy lights have startup surges, not like filament incadesents.
Just not worth the effort to do it this way.
--->Paul
It is not a good idea at all. Too many unknowns.
If it is a 12 ga with 20 amp breaker, it might work. But not a good idea.
If it is 14 ga which is 15 amp - it's is way out of bounds.
The trench & the time is most of a person's money. Do it right, get 20 amps out there on it's own, so you can have a recepticle out there too, in addition to the lights. Why waste the time & money for something that will harm your fridge and only barely possibly cover your needs? The fancy lights have startup surges, not like filament incadesents.
Just not worth the effort to do it this way.
--->Paul
