Should I upgrade my RANCO 2-stage to 14 guage?

[br1dge]

I am about to purchase a RANCO 2-stage controller and there is an option to upgrade from 16 guage (13 Amps, 1500 Watts) to 14 guage (15 Amps, 1800 Watts). I plan to use this with a 15 cu ft chest freezer as my fermentation chamber and possibly a Keezer down the road. Do I need to upgrade?

 

[Hammy71]

Really depends on the wattage of the fridge/freezer. You should shoot for 80% of the load. If your freezer uses less than 1200 watts the 16 gauge is fine.

 

[br1dge]

Sorry if I sound like an idiot but if the Freezer is 60 hz and 15 amps. I dont have anything that specifically tells me the wattage and I dont know much about this kind of thing. Do I run the risk of shorting out my controller? Its only $14 for the upgrade. Is it overkill?

 

[br1dge]

Ok learning as I go. Apparently 15 amps at 120V = 1800 Watts. And you said 80% of the load. So 1800 * .8 = 1440. So the standard should be fine.

Is there any scenario in which 83% would not be enough? If I am also using a heater as well does this factor in to the total watts? Probably not thought right because only one will be in use at a time?

 

[paledragon]

don't go by what the instruction manual says. there should be a plate on the side or back of the freezer that lists the actual amps it draws. i've got a 9 ft3 chest freezer it only draws 5 amps.

p.d.