My wife and I opted to buy a second fridge for the attached garage. We picked it up shortly before Thanksgiving, and we love having the extra space!
Now for the problem: The attached garage gets very hot in the summer, especially on a 100-degree day right after two hot cars are parked in it. Trust me, it gets bloody hot. We ran a window unit A/C during the hottest part of the summer, just to keep it below 90 or so.
The four outlets I have in the garage are all wired on the same 20-amp breaker. The A/C plug advises that it needs a 15-amp outlet. I'm not sure I'm fool enough to try plugging them both in at the same time.
Suggestions?
Extension cord from another circuit? Insulate the garage roof?
BoxheadTim wrote:
Extension cord from another circuit? Insulate the garage roof?
Actually, it's very well insulated, even the roll-up doors. The space above is my office/kids playroom/model train room, and is cooled. It's just stinkin' hot here in the summertime!
Not a big fan of extension cords, especially since this would have to run a considerable distance from another space. Might need to add a circuit.
What do you have to lose by trying it - the breaker pops and you have to reset it?
Extension cord in a permanent installation is neither OSHA approved or recommended for a shadetree hackjob.
Get a watt/amp meter and see what the fridge and AC both draw running. Chances are the high amp ratings are both startup ratings and running ratings will be less. Odds of them both starting at the exact same time are low. If you are really worried or they draw a combined total of over 20 amps running, put each on a timer so they can only run in 1 or 2 hour blocks. Your fridge will be fine running at most once ever 2 hours unless you are in it constantly, same with the A/C.
if there's room in the box to safely add another breaker just do it and be done w/ it
Plenty of spots to add another breaker. I've got a 400-amp service--two 200-amp boxes side-by-side. I just don't want to tear the walls out to run wire.
I will plug it in tomorrow and see if it trips the breaker.
