Can I wire Dayton G73 on a regular light switch using 10 awg wiring?

[fergie_1977]

Hey folks,
Looking at buying a Dayton G73 electric (5000w) shop heater.
Can I put the 30amp breaker in my panel, run 10awg wiring to a light switch, then continue from the switch to the heater with 10awg?
This way I can turn the unit on and off with the light switch.
Is there a specific switch I should be useing?
Am I nuts to have that much juice flowing threw a wall box / switch?
Open to any suggestions!

 

[royalton10]

I bought a 240v light switch, cost of about $25 (bought from local electrical contractor type store, stayed away from the box store, wanted to get this one right the first time) compared to $1-3 for regular 120v light switch. I did the exact same thing you are doing but I also put a dial type thermostat right beside the 240v light switch.

All of my outlets or light switches were almond, I bought the black 240v light switch to help denote a difference in the shop.

 

[fergie_1977]

I bought a 240v light switch, cost of about $25 (bought from local electrical contractor type store, stayed away from the box store, wanted to get this one right the first time) compared to $1-3 for regular 120v light switch. I did the exact same thing you are doing but I also put a dial type thermostat right beside the 240v light switch.

All of my outlets or light switches were almond, I bought the black 240v light switch to help denote a difference in the shop.

Thanks Royal.
Would you happen to have any pic's?
Sounds like a carbon copy of what I want to do.
Was it hard to add the t-stat into the mix?

 

[royalton10]

First attempt to attach pictures, we will see how well I do.

Doug

Lancaster, Ohio

 

[royalton10]

Hope the pictures help.

 

[fergie_1977]

Pictures are great...exactly what I'm looking to do.
Thanks for posting. Did you have to do any modifications to the unit to add a thermostat to it?

 

[royalton10]

No mods done heater to accomodate thermostat.

 

[weicm3]

No mods done heater to accomodate thermostat.

can you elaborate a bit about your wiring? thanks

 

[royalton10]

Ran 10-2 with ground from panel to light switch, jumper from light switch to thermostat (junction boxes for both switch and thermostat were in the same wall cavity) Then it was 10-2 with ground from thermostat to heater. I think this was the route.

 

[weicm3]

Ran 10-2 with ground from panel to light switch, jumper from light switch to thermostat (junction boxes for both switch and thermostat were in the same wall cavity) Then it was 10-2 with ground from thermostat to heater. I think this was the route.

thanks. so, the thermostat is inline 240v one that doesn't need transformer? and between thermostat and g73 is 2 hot and 1 ground?

do you just set the built-in thermostat on g73 to the max and let external thermostat to supply and cut power?

I remember I saw the post somewhere saying g73 has a feature to run the fan for a while after temperature is reached(I guess power to heating element is out but still sends power to fan). does your wiring disable this feature?

 

[royalton10]

I did not use a transformer. I do not remember if I did anything with the dial. Fan runs for a few minutes after heat kicks of. Wiring did not disable the fan.

 

[2LTim]

Doug:
I usually hang out over in the electrical section, but just happened to be checking out other sections. You did a nice job of installing your heater, it looks great! Give yourself a big pat on the back for attaching the pics!
My question is this: If your switch controls power to the t-stat, and the t-stat controls power to the heater, how can the fan continue to run after the wall mounted t-stat has been satisfied and cuts power to the heater?
P.S. Any big box store electrical dept employee who wears his hat straight should be able to hand you a 30 amp DPST (Double Pole Single Throw) switch a.k.a. 30 amp 240 Volt switch.
Tim

 

[Falcon67]

I would search here for ideas on transformer t-stat hookups. It'll save money on wire. The best way is to wire it in where the built in t-stat goes so the unit continues to work as designed. I own a G73 and it is supposed to run the fan a bit after the heat is off - the unit is built like that. The internal t-stat works well enough IMHO. If you put a switch in the power line, I would use it strictly as a disconnect. Locally, HD has a better selection of two pole switches than Lowes. My ceiling is 8', so I just reach up and turn mine off with the dial on the way out the door.

 

[jvitez]

It's a small point, but if you plan on a remote t-stat installation, you could save yourself the cost and work of wiring in the 30 amp switch by just buying a DPDT t-stat instead of a DPST. The DPDT has an "off" setting. That's assuming you have the heater wired with a twist-lock plug to act as a disconnect. If it's hard wired, I'm not sure if a DPDT t-stat would be approved as a disconnect, maybe someone who knows could chime in.

 

[royalton10]

Tim in Iowa,

Thanks for the kind words about the install. I may have described the wire routing incorrectly, not sure. I did have a electrican friend of mine walk me through the proper way to wire. It does work.

I got lots of feedback and help last year during my install.

Thanks again!

 

[royalton10]

The switch is designed to be the kill switch as thermostat location is about 12 feet from the panel box. But the panel cannot be seen as a short wall is in the line of sight. The previous owner had a closet framed in that I assume was meant to be designed as a closet for an air compressor. It was easier to rip out the door framing and leave in the short wall.

 

[royalton10]

Falcon,

Thanks for all of your help as I was installing the G73 heater last winter. I had asked you lots of questions with several posts last winter. Your help was greatly appreciated.

Some pictures of my install are shown above in this same thread.

Thanks!!

 

[Falcon67]

Very glad to be of assistance - thanks for saying so.

 

[micwazoo]

Royalton10, if your electrician buddy could verify the way he wired, it would be much appreciated. I'm doing the same thing this weekend, and want to make sure I do it so that the fan continues to run after the heat goes off so I don't ruin the heater element.
Thanx,

 

[royalton10]

Micwazoo, My electrician friend is out of state. I had big time trouble getting all of the wires in handy box since it was 10 guage. I am not going to open up the box at this time. Sorry.

You will certainly enjoy this heater.