Switching a Duplex outlet to a Quad outlet
 

Calling tomorrow to get an estimate to switch a duplex outlet into a quad outlet...they installed the duplex last week, but I now need a duplex...just wanted to prepare myself for the price.

thank you.

buy one at lowes and just plug it in the duplex

It's an outdoor outlet with a cover.

It will be for three outside lanai blinds which may not be suitable for the power it needs.

quad outlet adapter
 

Why not buy a quad outlet adapter for $10?

https://a.co/d/0fbw7suf

Wall Charger, Surge Protector, QINLIANF 5 Outlet Extender with 4 USB Charging Ports (4.8A Total) 3-Sided 1680J Power Strip Multi Plug Adapter Spaced for Home Travel Office (3U1C)

Keep it simple plug a 4 or 6 outlet e tender Lowes, HD IT PLUGS INTO DUPLEX for a fraction of the cost for an electrician
Amazon.com

Changing the outlet will not increase the power capacity. You would need a new circuit to do that. You probably just need a weatherproof 4-outlet box that you can install yourself.

bubble cover
 

Correct!!! adding another outlet to the same line won't increase the capacity. Depending what else is on the line, you may have enough capacity. Get the current draw/watts of what you want to power to assess the additonal load.

You can get a bubble cover. https://a.co/d/0f8m21om
And get a cube tap or some other devise to increase the number of outlets.

What's the power/amp requirement for the blinds?

We needed a new dedicated circuit when installing three blinds.

If you only operate ONE at a time, you should not overload the circuit. If you absolutely need a new circuit, I would plan on several hundred dollars. New circuit breaker GFCI type, new cable run from garage to lanai location, new box, outlets and cover, and several hours of work. I would also have the new circuit go to the soffit areas this should simplify the routing of the wires from the lanai blinds to the new outlet, and the wiring to the outlet will be simplified. You will be able to route the wiring behinds the soffit.

I would get at least 3 bids for the work.

draw
 

Found these on the internet they draw 1.6Amps

https://northsolarscreen.com/outdoor...tions-upgrades

You have to check yours, but you probably have a 15Amp ckt breaker, and you probably will run only 1 motor at a time.

What's the stall current of that motor?

Stall current will be significantly higher. This can happen of the screen jams, operating in higher winds or when the tracks need cleaning/lubricating.

If the motor's shaft is prevented from turning, no eddy currents are created (the armature must be moving in the magnetic field). The only limit to the current flow is the Series Resistance of the windings in the motor.

if you have Electric Blinds you don't need to ask how much for a Quad box, you can afford it! perfect example of why services cost more for Villagers.

I can give you the name of our handyman if I'm allowed to say that on here. He does large and small jobs for us when we don't feel competent or don't feel like it! He's a great guy and can do any and everything.

It’s impossible to estimate a project without knowing the power needs of the 3 blinds, power available and the scope of work. Your Electrician will need to know all 3 things to provide you a price. If it’s Time & Material then the cost will be what it will be. Good luck!

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

Have to ask, what company installed the motorized shades, and didn’t take care of the power?

Fla/rla
 

Yes, there are 2 current draws Full Load Amps (FLA)/Starting current and Running Load Amps (RLA). Getting both numbers would be great, but the point I was making was don't assume you need a new circuit. There are motors that draw <2 amps that power big screens. As far as FLA is concerned, it is often not listed for small motors under reasonable loads because the difference between RLA and FLA is negligible. For a 1.6A motor I would expect this to be the case, but unless we have the data, we can't say for sure.

Bottom line. Don't assume you need a new ckt. Also, you will likely run only 1 motor at a time, so you don't need to add the 3 motors specs together. IMHO, from what I know, without knowing the specs of these specific motors, I think there is a very good chance a separate ckt is not warranted. It's worth the effort to get the specs on the motors.

Required a permit when we installed ours at Linden. Also approval. Separate Circuit Breaker.

Agree, installed many, this is not a DIY project. Lots of water involved.

Best answer yet! Also, check the circuit breaker amperage on the existing outlet.
Our outdoor circuits are all 20 amps, which should be plenty, and only an outlet change is necessary

Ditto. I have four or five of these conversions. Work great.

Best reply!
 

Yes, modifying an EXTERIOR outlet (likely already a GFCI) should be easy but left to electrician

If the power cord to the blinds has a connector like that on a desktop computer, you might be able to buy a special cord. It has a standard plug, and also a piggy back receptacle in line with the plug. That goes in outlet, and another power cord plugs into that. That takes car of 2 shades. The other outlet (of the duplex) is for the 3rd shade.
YMMV - prob won't work, but easy if it does.

The circuit needs to support maximum load.

We often run all 3 simultaneously when we see a storm coming.

You can also just activate each bling 2 minutes apart. Then no additional load.

We added a new run when I installed an electric retractable awning. The cost for that 3 years ago was $300 and took about an hour. We did have an available slot in our circuit breaker box.