Garage Power Options

sparkanum on 02/01/2019 - 13:58
Last edited 02/01/2019 - 19:18

We have a lock up car port but no car. I'd love to use the space more (e.g. To set up my 3d printer) but aside from lights there's no power ports down there which limits what I can use it for.

I'm renting, so doubt I can have power installed down there. I was looking at portable 240v mains power but the units I've seen are North of $500 and I'm not sure they're what I should be looking at.

Any magical third options I don't know about? Or is there a more affordable range of portable 240v power boxes that people can recommend?

Any help appreciated.

Edit: forgot to mention I'm in an apartment. We're many floors above the lock up, so extension cables are out unfortunately.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Cheeper on 02/01/2019 - 14:07
    +1

    How far away from the house is it? Attached to the house… under the house… 50mrs down the back yard?
    You can get extension leads and power boards designed for that purpose from Bunnings. Not expensive.
    Just unplug it inside when not in use.

    • sparkanum on 02/01/2019 - 19:18

      Sorry… I thought I'd mentioned it was and apartment block but I must have edited it out.

      We're on the fifth floor, lock up is on a a basement level. So extension cord isn't an option as much as I'd like it to be.

      Thanks for the reply, though!

  • Davo1111 on 02/01/2019 - 14:18
    +1

    Run an extension lead out the window and into carport.

    Before someone suggests it, Dont even think of trying the power socket light bulb idea, not grounded and extremely unsafe.

    • sparkanum on 02/01/2019 - 19:19

      Cheers - I'd wondered about the light fitting option but had read something similar re: danger.

    • sparkanum on 02/01/2019 - 19:20

      I saw this, but is it not just a fancy extension cable?

  • outlander on 02/01/2019 - 15:16
    +1

    Are you talking about a generator? Thats going to be very expensive and very noisy. Or you could have a solar/battery setup, but again, very expensive, and not able to handle high loads.

    Extension cords the way to go. The rules are kind of harsh about it, so technically you might be breaking a law by doing it, but if you buy a long extension cord, and put it inside a piece of pvc conduit, that should give you power while being somewhat safe. Buy a long one, don't try to daisy chain cheap ones, as the long ones have thicker wires and will be able to carry the voltage without dropping it too much.

    • sparkanum on 02/01/2019 - 19:22

      I figured they were expensive but wasn't sure about the load. Sounds like it's a dud option though.

  • stevednj48 on 02/01/2019 - 15:36

    ask your landlord to install powerpoints in the garage go halves in the cost they are about $80 for a double where i am plus some electrician charge a call out fee of about $90

    • sparkanum on 02/01/2019 - 19:21

      I had no idea it would be that cheap. I might go down that road. I was under the impression it was many hundreds in Sydney and so a generator that I get to keep might actually be feasible.

      Thanks!

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2019 - 00:18

      And run from where? Using common properties power or run your own cable through the internal walls, through common property.

      • sparkanum on 03/01/2019 - 07:24

        You've lost me. Are you saying there'd be nothing but common property power sources to connect to?

        I have seen another garage with a PowerPoint set up, so I think it is possible.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2019 - 17:53

          No point asking here, it's up to the strata committee, but 1st your landlord.

          • sparkanum on 03/01/2019 - 20:29

            @[Deactivated]: I was trying to clarify what you were saying in your comment, but thanks anyway.

  • Ugly on 03/01/2019 - 13:41

    You could convert the light socket to a power outlet with something like this (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Socket-with-Outlets-Whit…)

    (Disclaimer - Note that this is technically illegal in Aus as light circuits do not have an earth, so an appliance fault could be fatal)

  • SnoozeAndLose on 03/01/2019 - 20:40

    Do you have switch for your garage light?

    • sparkanum on 04/01/2019 - 00:14

      Yes…?

      • SnoozeAndLose on 04/01/2019 - 04:27

        You can convert the light switch to a power point plus light switch.

        Like this:https://www.google.com/search?q=double+power+point+plus+switch&oq=double+power+point+plus+switch&aqs=chrome..69i57j33l3.23026j0j4&client=ms-android-om-lge&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

        But made sure dont plug excessive power consumption appliance as the switch is normally for the light bulb only 100w max? This i am not sure

        • sparkanum on 04/01/2019 - 06:56

          So this sounds like the illegal option discussed twice above. So probably not a good idea.

          Plus, as mentioned, I would want to run a 3d printer so excessive power consumption is essentially my middle name at this point.

          • MikeKulls on 06/01/2019 - 07:35

            @sparkanum: Depends on the circuit if it is illegal. Do 3D printers use much power? As far as I know no circuit in a house will be designed for 100W only.

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