electric outlet for 5600 watt heater

[sboz8]

Long time lurker, first post. I have a 240 volt outlet for a window unit air conditioner in my shop. It is ran to a 30 amp braker with 10-2 wire in a 100 amp sub panel.
I just purchased a Pro fusion 5600 watt fan forced heater from Northern tool. It has a different plug than my window ac has. I know the wire and breaker will handle the new heater. My question is can I install a junction box before the window ac outlet and feed 10-2 to both the new outlet for the heater and the old window ac outlet.
Obviously they can't both be used at the same time but the window ac is out of the window and in storage when the heater needs to be used. I appreciate any advice. This site has been a wealth of information for my project.

 

[p_mori7]

could you change the male plug / cable on the heater ?

 

[jbs]

could you change the male plug / cable on the heater ?

Agreed, that would probably be easier/cheaper. What are the current plugs/receptacles? For example

 

[sboz8]

could you change the male plug / cable on the heater ?

I don't think that would work. The heater is a 6-30p and the air conditioner looks similar but it is much smaller. It looks like a 6-15r. I appreciate the replies. Are there any other solutions without running another circuit.

 

[ForceFed70]

I would also change the plug. Not sure why you think it won't work. Cut the old plug off and wire the new one in.

BUT, if you really want you can make a short adapter cord/extension cable. Put your 6-15r plug on one end and a single gang box with 6-30p receptical on the other end.

 

[Falcon67]

Adapter whip built from the required plug and socket using flexible 10-2 cable.

 

[lametec]

The obvious reason for not using the 6-15 is that it's only rated for 15A.

You could put a 6-30 plug on the AC unit, then change the receptacle to 6-30 as well.

 

[madosta]

The obvious reason for not using the 6-15 is that it's only rated for 15A.

You could put a 6-30 plug on the AC unit, then change the receptacle to 6-30 as well.

Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.

 

[sboz8]

Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.

I guess the solution is to change the outlet for the correct appliance each fall and spring.

 

[joe_padavano]

Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.

X2. The wiring and breaker are in place to support 30A, so just change the receptacle. If you don't want to cut the A/C wiring, build a short adapter cable. This is trivially easy and all the parts are at home depot.

 

[jbs]

Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.

x3. Best plan would seem to be one of these for the wall (instead of the current 6-15R)


and one of these for the air conditioner

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a 240 volt outlet for a window unit air conditioner in my shop. It is ran to a 30 amp braker with 10-2 wire in a 100 amp sub panel.
...
The heater is a 6-30p and the air conditioner looks similar but it is much smaller. It looks like a 6-15r. I appreciate the replies. Are there any other solutions without running another circuit.

With a 30A breaker and 10-2 wire the receptacle should really be a 6-30R.

Changing the plug on the heater or making a whip to go to the lower current plug is the wrong thing to do. If anything, change the receptacle and make a whip for the A/C or change the plug to a 6-30P.

 

[sboz8]

x3. Best plan would seem to be one of these for the wall (instead of the current 6-15R)


and one of these for the air conditioner

Thanks to all that replied. I think jbs and theoldwizard have solved it.