big maxx amp draw

[Mike Honcho]

Anyone know what size circuit a 50k big maxx heater requires? Cant find anything in the manual. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mustang51js]

How many watts and what voltage is it. Divide the watts by voltage and that gives you your amps
Example 50000 watts divided by 240= 208.3 amps

 

[laser3kw]

50,000 / 240 v = 208 amps
might need at least 8 gauge wire.....

 

[Gwskulls]

Plug it in the the nearest outlet. Draws less than 15 amps.

 

[alfredeneuman]

It's a gas heater, not electric

Gwskulls is right.

 

[nehog]

My 150K BTU heater draws about 900 watts max.

 

[sublimate]

50,000 / 240 v = 208 amps
might need at least 8 gauge wire.....

Only if it's cheap aluminum.
If it's copper you'll be fine with speaker wire.

 

[Mike Honcho]

It's a gas heater, not electric

Gwskulls is right.

Thanks, what would you recommend for a cord? Just an appliance cord or make one?

 

[alfredeneuman]

Just a regular 3 wire appliance cord would be fine.

 

[pattenp]

The manual says to use 18 gauge or larger wire for line power connection. So it must not pull much amps. So a 15A 120V circuit should be plenty.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Thanks everyone, another dumb question....is a switch for disconnect required if the the heater is within 3 to 4 feet from the sub panel

 

[alfredeneuman]

The cord and plug act as the disconnect.

You can't hook the hard wire the cord directly to the power

 

[Mike Honcho]

I understand that, however my inlaw found a flexible whip new at the flea market. And i have a switch laying around, so if i can use what i have that's all the better. I just need to know if a switch is needed with the heater that close to the panel. Thanks.

 

[Gwskulls]

No need for a switch. Just unplug it if you need to service the unit

 

[alfredeneuman]

No a switch isn't required if the heater is that close to the panel.

 

[Mike Honcho]

No a switch isn't required if the heater is that close to the panel.

Perfect, thanks for the help.

 

[ForceFed70]

The cord and plug act as the disconnect.

You can't hook the hard wire the cord directly to the power

Best to check with your inspector on this. That was my plan and the inspector would have none of it.

During electrical I wanted to put a plug box on the ceiling to plug the gas heater into later. Inspector asked what it was for and said he wouldn't pass it when time came. I had to coil wire up in the attic and pull it through the ceiling when the heater was installed. For a disconnect, a standard light switch with red "emergency shut off" plate will suffice if you planned for it during your electrical rough-in. Otherwise you can mount a disconnect box right on the heater.

FYI: When I asked the inspector "Why not?" he basically told me that a gas heater is a permanent fixture and it's not appropriate to use a standard plug/outlet for a permanent fixture. When I pressed him on it, he said that it could vibrate lose especially when installed on the ceiling, causing nuisance calls and potential arcing.

I personally think using an outlet would be fine, but speak with your inspector. If nothing else, you may want to consider a twist-lock plug.

Another note: By code, the heater is supposed to be on a dedicated circuit. If your inspector doesn't give you a hard time about using an outlet, he may give you a hard time about the dedicated circuit. Assuming you're going to need/involve an inspector tho

Oh, and to answer your question: My 85k Big Max is rated at 4.7A or roughly 500W. I'd expect yours to be similar or slightly less.

 

[nehog]

... If nothing else, you may want to consider a twist-lock plug.

Another note: By code, the heater is supposed to be on a dedicated circuit. ...

My heater is on a dedicated circuit with a twist lock plug. I setup that way because the garage is not on the emergency generator circuit so if I need to I can unplug it and use one of my big 12 AWG extension cords connected to the house.