Garage Heater Wiring


  #1  
Old 02-29-20, 11:14 AM
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Garage Heater Wiring

Hi All,
I was looking at this garage heater at Home Depot.
Instead of direct wiring it, can I put a plug on it and just plug it into the 220 outlet in my garage?

HEATER
 
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Old 02-29-20, 11:22 AM
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That would probably be ok.
It would need to be a 30A circuit and receptacle. That would be basically a dryer receptacle.

It looks like the heater is designed to be mounted/hanging when used.
I doubt that has a tip over switch in it which means it must be mounted when using.
It would not be designed for portable use.
 
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Old 02-29-20, 11:37 AM
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No, I planned on mounting it in the corner where the outlet is.

Thanks!
 
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Old 02-29-20, 04:50 PM
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You need to use a 6-30R receptacle/plug for a 30 amp 240-volt circuit or a 6-20R receptacle/plug for a 20 amp 240-volt circuit
 
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Old 02-29-20, 05:14 PM
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Ahhhhhhhhh, that is some good info.
Thanks!
 
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Old 02-29-20, 05:18 PM
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Go with the 30A devices. The unit draws 20A.
 
CasualJoe voted this post useful.
  #7  
Old 02-29-20, 06:29 PM
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Sounds like a good idea!




YadaYadaYadaYada
 
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Old 03-01-20, 11:43 AM
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I did a little checking today. The existing outlet is a 20A on a 30A breaker.
It should be easy to swap in a 30A outlet.
My only concern is the wiring from the box to the outlet.
They wouldn't have used sub par wiring, would they?
 
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Old 03-01-20, 11:47 AM
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They wouldn't have used sub par wiring, would they?
Happens all the time. You need to confirm that the wiring is #10.
 
  #10  
Old 03-01-20, 11:49 AM
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Yeah, I figured I should probably check it before I start.
 
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Old 03-01-20, 04:07 PM
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Yeah, I figured I should probably check it before I start.
Definitely check the wire size. This heater draws 20.83 amps at the 5,000 watt setting and needs to be wired with nothing smaller than #10 wire.
 
  #12  
Old 03-05-20, 06:35 PM
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First let me say thanks for all the help.
I have a plan and I'm waiting on parts to ship.
But there is something else I could use some suggestions on.
I don't want to mount this heater on the ceiling. I want to drop it about 2 feet.
I was thinking I could hang it from a couple of chains?
Thoughts? Ideas?
 
  #13  
Old 03-06-20, 03:28 AM
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As posts #9 and #11 stated and which is very important - did you check the existing wiring from the panel to where the heater would be placed. Is it #10? You mentioned you ordered parts.

I would not hang on chains from the ceiling. May cause the heater to swing when it kicks on (assuming it is fan forced). Maybe a steel shelf built down from the ceiling? That would be more sturdy.
 
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Old 03-06-20, 07:53 AM
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Yes, the wiring is all 10 and I'm using all 30a parts.

Well, chains would have been easier.

I'll keep looking.
 
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Old 03-06-20, 09:57 AM
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I've seen heaters like this installed on threaded rod. 3/8" or 1/2" rod would probably keep it solid enough.

Otherwise you could use angle iron. The 1" L-shaped steel with holes in it that's often used to hang garage door tracks. If setup in a triangle pattern, it's pretty much immovable.
 
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Old 03-06-20, 11:17 AM
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The heater linked to should come with a bracket for wall or ceiling mounting.
 
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Old 03-06-20, 11:55 AM
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It does, but I don't want it on the ceiling.

I'll take a look at your suggestions Zor. Thanks!
 
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Old 03-06-20, 02:43 PM
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If I am hanging a heater I typically use the threaded rod. 5/16" or 3/8" inch is plenty. I just hung one with 1/4" rod but the rods were only 12" long.
 
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Old 03-06-20, 05:35 PM
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I have a heater similar to that and I hung it on the wall. I know you don't want it on the ceiling but the mounting bracket should also allow for wall mount even though the description says ceiling mount.
 
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Old 03-06-20, 06:33 PM
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Thanks Tolyn, I'll look into it.

Patten, I'll consider that too.

 
  #21  
Old 03-14-20, 07:09 PM
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Got it all hooked up and installed today!
I'm a little surprised, not that "I" did it (well maybe a little), but that this little heater works rather well.
After 5 minutes I saw a 1 degree increase at the workbench, about 18 feet away.
After another 5 minutes there was another 1 degree.
This should work out fine for me. We'll see tomorrow morning when I actually put it to work.

I probably spent $100 total on this project. The heater goes for $104 at HD but it can be found for $69.99 shipped with some searching.

Thanks to everyone here!!
 
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Old 03-14-20, 07:41 PM
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Good job. Name:  thumb.jpg
Views: 65
Size:  1.6 KB Thanks for letting us know how you made out.
 
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Old 03-15-20, 08:04 AM
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What means did you end up using to mount it?
 
  #24  
Old 03-15-20, 08:15 AM
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1/2in all thread. I was going to use 3/8 but the holes in the bracket were quite large. 1/2in fit perfectly.
 
 

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