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A

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello Pros and thanks in advance for the help

I purchased an EcoHeat 11K pool heater that requires 220 60Amp. I want to set this heater up near the pool with an ability to disconnect it during colder months. This is just a seasonal above ground pool. With all this Covid madness, I really want to give my kids an extended use of the pool this season. In NJ, we need a few really hot days to make the pool warm enough.

I have a 220 twist lock on the side of my house which I wired for a generator backup after sandy.... which hasn’t seen a single day of usage. It’s connected direct to the panel and on an interlock. These are rated at 30amps and I am in serious doubt that I can simply upgrade the wiring. I think twist locks overall only do 30amps.

So I’m looking for a solution via a plug that I can mount to the side of my house and plug in the heater rather than hardwire. The pool is about 20 feet from my house and running a new plug to the side of the house from panel is probably another 15 feet.

Any idea what I can use here? Ideal solution

New plug on the side of house capable of 60 Amp, 220
Extension cord capable of handing the load
Plug wired to the heater.

I’m building a little “house” for the heater to protect it during usage. Running a cable underground and hardwire is not an option. Too much concrete in the way.

Thanks!
 
rjniles

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#4 ·
I am also confused: is this heater heating the pool water or the air around the pool?
 
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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
I can't simply upgrade the wiring to the twist lock and overload the capability of the 30amp twist lock

Extension cord will be in a raceway and unplugged when not in use. also, why is this even a concern? cord will go through a completely unused area.

Why would I heat the air around a pool?

These are some of the strangest answers ive ever received on this board.
 
rjniles

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#6 ·
AdamBNYC said:
I can't simply upgrade the wiring to the twist lock and overload the capability of the 30amp twist lock

Extension cord will be in a raceway and unplugged when not in use. also, why is this even a concern? cord will go through a completely unused area.

Why would I heat the air around a pool?

These are some of the strangest answers ive ever received on this board.
Click to expand...
If can even think that for a pool for your kids, you need professional help - a licensed electrician.
 
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Why is this against code? Concerts and larger events run this stuff all the time. Its how they power everything. You dont think they hardwire all that stuff from the generators right? If the cable is in a raceway rated for outdoor use, what's the problem?
 
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#12 · (Edited)
AdamBNYC said:
Can i get an actual electrician to chime in here?
Click to expand...


go pay one then,

you have already been told to do that




ITS A SEASONAL POOL
Click to expand...
a seasonal pool is still a PERMANENT STRUCTURE!!!


do you REMOVE YOUR POOL in the off season and store it in your garage?


that would be like saying my house doesn't have to be wired to code if i only occupy it for 6 months of the year


laying an extension cord on the ground for months on end is not code compliant, meaning its not safe!!




,
 
rjniles

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K

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#14 · (Edited)
OP, you have an inlet for a generator?

You want to connect the pool heater to this inlet rather than install a separate receptacle? Thats not something that could be done. An inlet should go to a transfer switch or interlock to prevent being on while the house has normal power... and if you don't have this interlock or transfer switch, then this is against code and HIGHLY DANGEROUS!

Okay, so you want it to be portable... if we ignore the fact that code says TEMPORARY is 90 days and that you could do it this way, let's assume you can do this.

You'll need a 240 volt 60 amp rated PIN and SLEEVE receptacle and cord cap plug. Next, you'll need something like 3 conductor #6 type W cable. This alone will run you well over $500(probably closer to $1000), especially if its a long run of cable.

Now, compare that to installing a disconnect, and using proper hard wiring methods, you'll probably be around $300, again, dependant on wire lengths, and some other variables.

Yes, concerts and midways/carnivals do this stuff all the time. They use cables, cam locks, twist locks, pin and sleeve, etc... HOWEVER, they are required to get an inspection when everything is connected and ready to be powered up. They have an entirely different section in my (ontario canada) code book to follow. They are also TEMPORARY installations, that are less than 90 days.

A pool is not temporary, that is, unless you use it less than 90 days, in which case, it will STILL be required to be wired to code.

Edit to add:
Here are some pin and sleeve items. Note the prices...
https://www.elecdirect.com/pin-slee...eceptacle-60a-250vac-2-pole-3-wire-watertight
https://www.elecdirect.com/pin-slee...eeve-plug-60a-250vac-2-pole-3-wire-watertight

You'd also need a mounting box for the receptacle, wiring from the panel to the receptacle, a 60 amp breaker, a proper strain relief for the heater end, oh, and where i am, a field inspection for putting a cord on something meant to be hardwired (that alone is $500). You also need a permit because power + swimming pool can kill people. Even concerts need a special permit, as I have already said.


Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.
 
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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
I knew that I couldn't replace the twist lock with a 60A circuit. I said as much but was looking for verification.
@Kevin - thank you for taking the time to give me that explanation. Truly appreciate it. I've seen a lot of this done in marine applications at docks, so I knew it could be done but didn't realize it was so insanely expensive for pin and sleeve! Yep, 90 days is about all i wanted out of it. June, July and Aug. We end up only getting in the pool a dozen or so times because it takes a few days of hot weather to heat up.. and the rest of the time we just stare at it.

Given the cost of all of it, i'd rather have the boys have blue lips from freezing in the pool than me have a red face having burned money.

Or i could just put the boys to work with a breaker bar and run the cable in the ground.

Thank you kindly sir!

And i do pull permits especially for anything like this
 
D

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#18 ·
I cannot speak to the NEC, but in the CEC pools, hot tubs, spas, etc are very stringent in their installation. Anything electrical related to a pool or hot tub is not a DIY project.

Is your house service even big enough for this unit? If this was installed to code, you would need a minimum of 200 amp service or a load shedder.

Cheers
John
 
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