I was wondering if I would be able to setup the large charger that came with the forklift to run off the electricity in my detached garage.
Need at least 240 volts to run that charger, but do I have that?
I hit the internet looking for answers.
Seems that the power running INTO a breaker box is typically 240v. It is 3 wires, two hot ones, and a neutral. Then that is broken into two legs, one down each of the two columns of breakers in the box.
To get 240 volts, you use a "double-breaker". It connects to both of the hot wires and gives you the full 240 volts.
I wasn't sure if the power in my garage was a "real" breaker box, or if it was just a glorified outlet.
I took the cover off the breaker box. Sure enough, on the left is two wires, thick red and black ones, going into a "master" breaker.
I think all I need to do is add big double-breaker and run the wires from that to a big power connector like an electric stove uses. Then plug the charger into that (after setting it to run on 240v - it is 480v right now)
The breaker box is setup for 100 amps, and the charger is a 65 amp continuous, so I think I should be ok on power there.
Any electricians or engineers here to confirm or correct my thoughts on this?