If you could have 220V for your tank, would you?

[michika]

Kevin says:

1) Is this just for plugs, or are you putting a sub panel in.
1a) If you are putting a sub panel in, what is the current.

[Delphinus]

I want to do whatever the electrical inspector is going to be more likely to sign off on. Given the layout of the room I don't think there's a good spot for the panel to go that isn't in some form of risk for water contact, so I sort of see that as being the more troublesome option. So if I went 220/240 (and I have to say, I'm really, really tempted NOT to, at this point, for reasons of both cost and effort) I think I would just go with some kind of dryer plug or oven plug (I think they're different, but I don't think it matters because you can get the ends at HD/Rona/etc. so as long as the ballasts had the right plug put on for the outlet).

[michika]

Per Kevin:

If you just run some 10/3 over from your panel to your tank room, you can have 120v receptacles, and as many 220v receptacles as you want. He also says the dryer plugs are fine, or you can get 220v receptacles, and 220v cord ends, this will probably be cheaper route (the receptacles).

Kevin says he can drop by and give you a play by play, or do the work for you if you want some extra help.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Moot point anyhow now, looking at Home Depot though my jaw hit the floor when I saw the cost of copper. My plans to string 8 or 10 guage and use 20-amp breakers quickly dissipated. 14 guage and 15A will have to do, and this was already a dismaying cost for 200' of wire. Crazy.

Anyhow, so I more or less decided against running the 220V circuit on the spot then.

PS. Yeah, call the presses, I've been working on the tank project! I'll try updating the build thread soon.

ah, but remember you can do what I did, use one 10 gage wire to feed the sub panel, which is good for 30 amps of 110 or 220. so I used 220. then from the sub pannel I split it to short runs of 110 for a total of 60 amps of 110 so I had four 15 amp breakers for my tank.

When I set up a big tank in Kamloops I will probably bring more then also use 220 for ballast and such. power is the same but less heat is developed for the same power as the current is lower. this is why table saws and air compresors that can run both work much better on 220. also start up draw is lower so less effect on the rest of the power in the house.

Steve