30amp Dryer Plug... potential???

F

Filmmaker04

Member
A long time ago, on a DJ lighting forum I recall someone rigging up a distro type box that connected to a standard 30amp Dryer outlet and broke down into four edison outlets, allowing alot of power from one single circuit.

I found this Rig on another site recently, however I don't need the on/off relay that is used... mainly what I need is a way to convert the 220v power to 110v, and safely put this thing together.

Is this possible? It seems like it must be, and I imagine it would solve alot of peoples power problems when shooting in household locations.
 
I've traveled a lot overseas where everything is 220v. So I got used to carrying a transformer with me. I've been through several variations, trying to find a lite portable one, and I never found one that was lite and relaiable. There's two problems, reliability and heat. When you step down voltage ther is heat loss, the more amperage the more heat. Second is the failure rate of the components you use, be sure you have a back up, because it would be a real bummer to be half way in the shoot and your transformer blows out on you.

Finally if your not real versed in electrial components or wiring, get an electrician to check out your rig, it literaly could save a life or keep you from burning down your house.


All of this to say yes it can be done.
 
Would't recommend it. 220 wiring in a dryer plug uses 2 110volt lines out of phase which sum to 220volts. The third wire is earth ground. 110 volt uses 1 hot lead ( black) and a neutral lead ( white). Unless you are certain that the house wiring uses a bonded neutral in the mains cabinet, you could end up blowing your lights. instead of having two 110 circuits, you could end up with one 20 volt side and a 200 volt side. Ground and neutral are not the same thing........
 
30 amp dryer plug to edison (normal houseold outlet) is no problem. Just have a gaffer or electrician wire it if you are *in any way* unsure.

If the dryer (or electric stove or sometimes airconditioner) plug is 220v, you don't need a step-down transformer, you can just split up the hot legs into two 110v circuits. *again, see an electrician*

As for the plans you linked to, they are way too complicated for what you need, you wouldn't need a relay switch for a time, you could just split the legs into two circuits (220) or make a "pig-tail" adapter for 110. Again, see an electrician, or better, see a gaffer, as they would have a better understanding of what your film production needs are.

-j
 
>you could end up with one 20 volt side and a 200 volt side

Yeah, always a good idea to check the voltage, as every house wireing different. often the connectors are different, as the amps too. I would just build one as the need arises, depending on the location scout and shoot needs.

-j
 
Thats why I think I'd only do it with a transofrmer. You could get into all kind of phase and floating ground issues splitting thd hot leads and use a common neutral. If you only used one side of the hot lead you probably be ok, but then you'd have to be concerned about overheating the wiring, pulling all 30 amps on one leg. But looking at some grip truck lists, there are plugins made for that very purpose, however I couldn't find any commercially available. Think I would leave this one to a very trustworthy electrician.
 
It's a rare need to have to pull extra power from the dryer or range plug. Usually the house power is enough, and if you are in need of more power for bigger fixtures, you are starting to move into the "we will need to rent a gerator" area. so it's a good idea to know that you can build one, but i'd just wait for the need.

-j
 
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