power useage question

[Marc Benson]

Going from 400 watts of florescents to a 400 watt hps what do you think my increase in power useage will be? Have the same watts being used but way more lumens with the hps. Does all that matters are how many watts are used so basically both would use the same power? Sorry for what may seem like a stupid question. I know everything else there is to know in the world...but this. ;) Thanks!

[latewood]

I think it is the same...I have seen it compared to a computer which uses 400-500 watts

[Psycho4Bud]

No difference at all.
Watts=Amps x Voltage
Your amp draw is the workhorse so if ya want to cut down on the bill or possibly double the wattage with no increase switch to a higher voltage. I assume your using 110v at the present so you have about a 4 amp draw at 400w.
W=A xV
440(400w)=4x100

Now put that into a 220V system

440=2x220

Just dropped the ol' electric bill down to half!

[AngryJohnny]

should higher rated electrical cords be used?

running a 400w MH and 148w of shop light flouros all on same plug on one outlet.

run off one outlet
2-12 ft 3-way 16 gauge 13a/125v/1625w into closet.
148w flouros get plug in first then another 12ft 3-way cord.
then another power strip (not known stats) runs the 400w MH

next week, add 600w HPS turns on 12 hr with 3 hours of 400w MH per 12 hrs.

on the same outlet
the other 12ft 3-way plugs into another 12ft 3-way which powers my fans.
5 fans, a carbon filter with 6" vortex fan. lots of air movement and no stinky.

no highjack just trying to get some more info out for peeps.

[Psycho4Bud]

should higher rated electrical cords be used?

running a 400w MH and 148w of shop light flouros all on same plug on one outlet.

run off one outlet
2-12 ft 3-way 16 gauge 13a/125v/1625w into closet.
148w flouros get plug in first then another 12ft 3-way cord.
then another power strip (not known stats) runs the 400w MH

next week, add 600w HPS turns on 12 hr with 3 hours of 400w MH per 12 hrs.

on the same outlet
the other 12ft 3-way plugs into another 12ft 3-way which powers my fans.
5 fans, a carbon filter with 6" vortex fan. lots of air movement and no stinky.

no highjack just trying to get some more info out for peeps.

I wouldn't worry about your cords, each one can handle 13 amp.

148+400+600=1148Watts 1148/120=9.6Amps

You have to find out the amp draw of your fans and use the same formula. KEEP IN MIND, most household outlets are 15amp, your getting close right now and your not even looking at the inrush current this is going to produce. Inrush current is when you first fire the shit up. So if your 400w lamp is 3.3 amp, the inrush current is close to 33AMP! Fire your lights up at different times for sure!
Just with the lamps your already at 9.6 amp continuous, I'd consider splitting your lamps on different circuits with your fans divided or going to 220V.

[AngryJohnny]

I wouldn't worry about your cords, each one can handle 13 amp.

148+400+600=1148Watts 1148/120=9.6Amps

You have to find out the amp draw of your fans and use the same formula. KEEP IN MIND, most household outlets are 15amp, your getting close right now and your not even looking at the inrush current this is going to produce. Inrush current is when you first fire the shit up. So if your 400w lamp is 3.3 amp, the inrush current is close to 33AMP! Fire your lights up at different times for sure!
Just with the lamps your already at 9.6 amp continuous, I'd consider splitting your lamps on different circuits with your fans divided or going to 220V.

good info thx Psycho4Bud!

would spliting the oulets same room different wall would this help or are they same circuit? 5 yr old house only a celling fan running.
think can run off outlet in attic, 25ft run tho..... love how this gets you thinkin.. ;)

will not power them up at same time ever. during flower the mh is only going to be on 3 hours maybe less and maybe not soo much.

looked on one fan did not see data? all 5 little desk fans.. also two 6 inch computer type fans inside light hood. all move some air tho.

does the timer need to be heavy duty? just going to handle lights and run in attic when ran. fans and filter will run 24 hrs.

THX :D

[Zandor]

I found this a few years ago I just can't remember where I found it but I hope it helps.

To figure how much amperage your unit is using, simply use the following formula: Wattage divided by Voltage equals Amperage.

The average household circuit breaker is rated at 15 amps. In other words, if the total amperage drawn from that circuit exceeds 15 amps, the circuit breaker will trip off. You have probably one or perhaps two circuits per room. If you have a 1000 watt unit running off a 120 volt circuit, it will draw approximately 9 amps (1000 watts/110 volts = 9.1 amps).

Make sure your household circuits or fuses are in good condition and are rated at least 20% over what the load will be (e.g. No more than 12 amps load on a 15 amp circuit).

As for the cost of electricity to run your grow light, we recommend that you check with your local power company, since the cost will vary depending on the geographical area. Find out what you are charged for one kilowatt hour (kW/h) of Power. 1 kwh = 1000 watts for 1 hour. I.E. 10 ea 100 watt light bulbs for 1 hr.

Example - If your charge for 1 kilowatt hour in your area is 6 cents per kW/h, a 1000 watt fixture will use 1.1 kW per hour.
Lets say you burn your light 14 hours per day; 14 hours x .066 (.06 x 1.1) = .92 cents per day.
If you burn it 30 days per month the cost will be 30 x .92 per day = $27.60 per month.
If you burn 400 watt lamps you will use .46 (46%) of 1 kW hour.
So it will cost will cost .06 kW x .46 = .028 or 2.8 cents per hour x 14 hours per day = .39 cents per day x 30 days per month = $11.70 month. 1000w fixtures use 1100 watts per hour, 400 watt fixtures use 460 watts per hour, 250 watt fixtures use 295 watts per hour and 175 watt fixtures use 210 watts per hour.

The reason the fixture uses more watts than the lamp rating is because of ballast inefficiency and heat loss.

[latewood]

Thanks so much for that tutorial...put a sticky on that one Z, that will answer the question of power usage; time after time. I think I read this from you once before in a thread. how's it going Marc? :cool: