Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Pieces Coming Together ***UPDATE*** PICS***

BGK, as far as the wiring goes... what size wire did you run? the size of the breaker that you need depends on the amount of amps that you intend to use...but then also you need to run the appropriate sized wire for that amount of amperage and take into account voltage drop over long distances.

okay so normally a 15 amp circuit would call for 14 gauge wire...a 20 amp circuit would call for 12 g wire. (this is for copper wire btw, not aluminum) you said you have a 575 foot run??? im not an electrician but as the run gets longer it is a good idea to bump up the wire size a bit to help prevent a voltage drop. in you case that is a real long run so you should bump it way up.

here is 2 links to voltage drop calculators

http://www.nooutage.com/vdrop.htm

http://www.elec-toolbox.com/calculators/voltdrop.htm

assuming you are running copper wire in pvc conduit both suggest #4 wire...yikes that is some big wire.

if it was me id put a new 20 amp breaker in your electric panel and run 4g wire..jmo

if you run it off an existing outlet...lets say a 15 amp, if the pump and fans pull 10 amps while running then that doesnt leave you much power left in that 15 amp circuit, if you use anything else in that circuit with 5 amps or more of power you will flip the breaker.
justin

BGK, Justin's figures are accurate. "BUT" if you plug in #6 to the VD formula it comes up just a shade over 5% VD. With everything being said you want the smallest amperage (15 or 20) that will addequately support your load without nuisance tripping all of the time. which ambient temperature swings based on the time of year will cause your amperage to fluctuate slightly.

So alot rides on the size of wire you ran.

Yeah I already figured all that out I ran most of the run in 10ga then about 200' in 12. My pumps only gonna pull 4-6 amps can't remember exactly.. Im only gonna run a 15 amp breaker after talking to a couple electricians I work with.. All my wire was direct burial.. Also I ran 10-3 and 12-3 I plan to run a hot of my power feed to the pump and a neutral back to a separate 15 amp breaker for an external outlet on the side of my compressor house.. Not exactly code but it'll be alright.. The pump will only be running at night so I won't be pulling extra juice on one leg if I plug in a radio during the day..

Next question I need a good 240v timer?? Anywone??

Slyvania makes an inexpensive, reliable timer here... Timer

Thanks rainman.. Heard anything on them gills,?