Wiring heater controllers

[DB junkie]

Wondering how many of you here have wired your own heater controllers?

Did you go get actual electrical boxes or just lop the end off a nice surge bar and use that?

Also curious what you used for wire, how much of a load, and size of breaker?

I've got a six pack of Jager (heaters) and a box that needs wired......

 

[soupa2]

at home depot they sell 20amps power strip.. then then go home and cut the male connector off the power strip and just wire into your controller..that's what i did with my controller but i only have 3 jagers plugged into it.. just read if your controller controls more than your heater total wattage..1800w heaters is 15amps..

 

[DB junkie]

Surge bar sounds like the ticket.....

1800/15 amps is what the controller is rated for.

Probably a 20' run to the breaker box. Not sure if I need 14 or 12? Think I used 14 on the pump/UV circuit, but don't think that circuit is near as hungry as heaters will be.

 

[DB junkie]

* Am told by electrician 20 amp breaker to 12-2......

 

[aldiaz33]

Use 12 gauge wire (which is rated for 20 amps) and use a 20 amp circuit with the Ranco plugged in to a 20 amp receptacle.

1,800 is the max load for a 15 amp breaker, but you never want to run a circuit at its max capacity. The rule of thumb per the National Electrical Code is to run no more than 80% of the circuits max capacity, so a 20 amp breaker on 120V will have a max of 2,400watts, so 2,400 x 80% = 1,920...which means you can safely run 1,800W of heaters on it (you can actually run up to 1,920 watts safely).

If you use only a 15 amp breaker, you are always going to be at the max threshold for the circuit and you could run into issues with your breaker tripping. I would also be sure to plug it into a receptacle rated for 20 amps. I was using a 15amp receptacle on my setup (I run a ranco that controls six 300w Jagers for a total of 1,800W) and I noticed a few months ago that it had burn marks on it. That scared the heck out of me especially seeing Chaidan's thread where his house recently burnt down. I swapped it out for a 20 amp receptacle and so far so good. No more burn marks.

In any case, a 20 Amp breaker using 12 gauge wire (12-2 Romex) with everything plugged into a receptacle rated for 20 amps will be the safest way to go.

Bummer you are not closer, I would have hooked you up with the 12-2 Romex...I have about 200' leftover from remodeling my kitchen.

Edit: Whoops, you beat me to it. What your electrician said. =)

 

[DB junkie]

Use 12 gauge wire (which is rated for 20 amps) and use a 20 amp circuit with the Ranco plugged in to a 20 amp receptacle.

1,800 is the max load for a 15 amp breaker, but you never want to run a circuit at its max capacity. The rule of thumb per the National Electrical Code is to run no more than 80% of the circuits max capacity, so a 20 amp breaker on 120V will have a max of 2,400watts, so 2,400 x 80% = 1,920...which means you can safely run 1,800W of heaters on it (you can actually run up to 1,920 watts safely).

If you use only a 15 amp breaker, you are always going to be at the max threshold for the circuit and you could run into issues with your breaker tripping. I would also be sure to plug it into a receptacle rated for 20 amps. I was using a 15amp receptacle on my setup (I run a ranco that controls six 300w Jagers for a total of 1,800W) and I noticed a few months ago that it had burn marks on it. That scared the heck out of me especially seeing Chaidan's thread where his house recently burnt down. I swapped it out for a 20 amp receptacle and so far so good. No more burn marks.

In any case, a 20 Amp breaker using 12 gauge wire (12-2 Romex) with everything plugged into a receptacle rated for 20 amps will be the safest way to go.

Bummer you are not closer, I would have hooked you up with the 12-2 Romex...I have about 200' leftover from remodeling my kitchen.

Edit: Whoops, you beat me to it. What your electrician said. =)

What are you using to heat your tank??? I'm hoping this is even going to be enough.......

 

[those1]

this is what i followed to wire my ranco controller http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AZlvEBEjAA


I wanted more cord then what the guy on the video had so i got a 3' cord power strip and used a 9 ft extension cord just cut the cords right at the ends so i have room to play with where i want my controller


I am using a single 1500 watt elctric hotwater heater element to with mine.

 

[aldiaz33]

What are you using to heat your tank??? I'm hoping this is even going to be enough.......

I use six 300W Jagers for a total of 1,800 watts.

The room the tank is in gets into the lower 50s. The heaters come on about 20 to 25% during the coldest winter days/nights.

I have the tank pretty well insulated and the acrylic is 1.25" so it holds heat well.

How many gallons are you trying to heat and what's the delta between air temps at their coldest and your desired water temperature?

 

[DB junkie]

Filter room gets down to 50 here, haven't measured lower yet.....

Total volume around 1200 gallons. The 2 UVs help a bit with the temp. Would like to get 80, but anything's better then the low 70s now.

Not insulated too well yet but will be soon.

 

[DB junkie]

5 heaters are on it now, seems to work great.....