4 1000watt hps

I wouldn't worry about the electric company much; as long as you pay their bills on time, they should be happy. It doesn't benefit them to report high useage to anyone, and it *does* benefit them not to report it. People with huge bills who pay them on time are exactly the kind of customer they want.

The main issue is...it's not your place. If other people rent in the same apartment, one of them falling asleep with a cig, or causing any type of disturbance (and the police get the apartment number wrong), that kind of shit, can screw your whole life over. You can spend a decade in prison entirely because of someone else's stupid fuckups, and you have virtually no control over that when you're renting.

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Originally Posted by jamstigator

I wouldn't worry about the electric company much; as long as you pay their bills on time, they should be happy. It doesn't benefit them to report high useage to anyone, and it *does* benefit them not to report it. People with huge bills who pay them on time are exactly the kind of customer they want.

The main issue is...it's not your place. If other people rent in the same apartment, one of them falling asleep with a cig, or causing any type of disturbance (and the police get the apartment number wrong), that kind of shit, can screw your whole life over. You can spend a decade in prison entirely because of someone else's stupid fuckups, and you have virtually no control over that when you're renting.

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very good point... i back this statement up :thumbsup:

Thx guys you made some very good points. I think i will be fine as long as smell and security is under control.

dude I dont mean to be negative but unless you understand circuts and
there capicity your just begging for trouble, i am surprised it hasnt been said
Your bedrooms i bet only have a 15 amp circut to start with, be damm careful
4 x MH will pull between 28 to 36 amps depending on equipment. Peace

MH use quite a bit more energy then HPS (except during ignition). As long as your grounded and you know which breaker it is, keep an extra one on hand. Thats what breakers are for. That said, what I try to do is distribute the energy around. Instead of everything hooked up in one room, get it hooked up on a few different circuits.

A good surge protector (this way you have 2 failsafes), basic knowledge of how circuits work, and an extra breaker or two and he should be fine.

Last, the only time I ever popped a switch is when I started up 3000 watts all at once and didnt realize that the A/C somehow got switched to the same circuit. We then made it so each light turned on 1 minute after the other. HPS draw the most amperage when they ignite, however for a 1000 watt Id say it barely hits 15 amps (which is still quite a bit) and only for a few seconds.

Now obviously, all this doesnt matter if you have some super old shabby spot with nasty wiring thats beginning to be overloaded.

..like I said....."spin like a top"....

The only problem with keep replacing breakers is that it eventually damages the wire over a long period of time. Spreading it out over the house will defiantly help. I think you said you live in apartment, you could always do what I did. I live in a high rise and I just opened up the wall in the closet and patched on to the building power and put a out let in the closet that is ran buy there power. Its such a big building that they will never notice the spike in the power bill. The only problem with that is you have to know what your doing and hook it up with out cutting off the power. I'm a contractor so it's wasn't that big of a deal for me but good luck

look I dont normaly get to involved, but racerx with all due respect your dead wrong and giving dangerous advice. Breakers are ment to stay on and only trip when when overloaded, if they trip then its telling you there is a problem. Replacing a circut breaker because it tripped is kinda (no offense) stupid. There triping for a reason, and a surge pro. has nothing to do with it, and you should plug into timer and directly into the receptical make sure the timer is rated 15 amps. Im not saying this shit to be rite im saying it because its true and important. If you dont bealive me - plug them in let it rip and just remember 911. Peace

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Originally Posted by gorillafarmer

look I dont normaly get to involved, but racerx with all due respect your dead wrong and giving dangerous advice. Breakers are ment to stay on and only trip when when overloaded, if they trip then its telling you there is a problem. Replacing a circut breaker because it tripped is kinda (no offense) stupid. There triping for a reason, and a surge pro. has nothing to do with it, and you should plug into timer and directly into the receptical make sure the timer is rated 15 amps. Im not saying this shit to be rite im saying it because its true and important. If you dont bealive me - plug them in let it rip and just remember 911. Peace

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I think we have some miscommunication. Circuit breaker and fuse...2 very different things. I aplogize for not being clear. Circuit breakers pop, they dont blow and need to be replaced. If they do, damn right there is something very bad going on and unsafe. I have lived in a lot of old houses lately which use fuses, no breakers. I forget most people have breakers :D Even with the fuses, I still wasnt cleear enough I guess, because what I meant is that if your fuse (or god forbid your breaker) busts, then you have one to get it running again. If this happens, I would cut half the lights off when you run them again until you can figure out the issue of course.

I never meant to say to even use fuses continously, just so that you dont screw your plants light schedule if you cant immediatly run to the hardware store or figure out what is wrong. Comprende? This is why I use 240 1000watts. 240 can handle something like 5000 watts on a single circuit, whereas an average wall socket is a lot less. You can always install a GFCI plug as well.

PS. What is wrong with a good surge protector? It will keep your balasts from frying.

Hi racerx, there is nothing wrong with surge pro. My only advice on that is make sure its a good one, timers and strips are everyones weekest link, i have seen
to many times where someone buys a $600.00 hps or MH and a $10.00 timer
rated @ 8 or 10 amps and they melt. This info is for newbees and just starting
amatures who in there excitment overlook or are just not aware of certain dangers. I ask all of them to ask ? and know your limits before setting up. A circut can only handel what it is rated for and we all know we have 15,20,and30 amp circuts.A 30 amp 240 is always best but thats another subject . I hope this helps. Be safe
Peace