Home | Community | Message Board



Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Growery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   North Spore North Spore Mushroom Grow Kits & Cultivation Supplies   MagicBag.co All-In-One Bags That Don't Suck   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1 | 2  [ show all ]
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
Offlinehazey


Registered: 04/22/08
Posts: 13
Loc: British Colombia
Last seen: 16 years, 5 months
energy use poll
    #11223 - 04/23/08 10:52 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

i want to see how everyones power usage increases on average with a grow op.. i always hear of power companies in the US busting people for noticeable and scheduled usage increases (like seeing the 12 on 12 off period clearly).

I would never use anything higher than a 400wt HPS, so if you use one or something less let me know if it has ever been a problem! thanks guys and happy growing :smile:
Usage for a quality 400wt HPS
You may choose only one
Usage for a shitty 400wt HPS
You may choose only one
Usage for anything less
You may choose only one


Votes accepted from 04/23/08 10:51 PM until the end of time
You must vote before you can view the results of this poll


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineEvan
Medical Marvel


Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 169
Last seen: 16 years, 5 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: hazey]
    #11234 - 04/23/08 10:58 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

I could be wrong but I was under the assumption that your electricity is kilowatts/hour and a shitty 400 and a good 400 would require the same amount of energy on the same ballast because they measure the electricity in watts.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinesmily
Spam With Substance


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 206
Loc: here and there
Last seen: 4 years, 6 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: Evan]
    #11245 - 04/23/08 11:04 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

Evan said:
I could be wrong but I was under the assumption that your electricity is kilowatts/hour and a shitty 400 and a good 400 would require the same amount of energy on the same ballast because they measure the electricity in watts.





ha ha true

:smile:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinehazey


Registered: 04/22/08
Posts: 13
Loc: British Colombia
Last seen: 16 years, 5 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: smily]
    #11257 - 04/23/08 11:07 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

well some of the more xpensive ones advertise more efficiency thats why i put the 2 choices up :tongue:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisiblePremedman
Shroomery's official assistant to the insistent
 User Gallery

Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 10
Re: energy use poll [Re: Evan]
    #11356 - 04/23/08 11:57 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

Evan said:
I could be wrong but I was under the assumption that your electricity is kilowatts/hour and a shitty 400 and a good 400 would require the same amount of energy on the same ballast because they measure the electricity in watts.




Right on. The wattage would be the same for both. The difference would be the lumen output and the light frequencies, which both would affect efficiency, but neither would affect electricity cost.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: hazey]
    #11373 - 04/24/08 12:07 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Power companies won't bust you for running your lights. The reason people get nailed by the power company is because they're usually stealing power. Something like that shows up a lot easier then someone running a few lights in there house.

Think about it, if you ran one 1000 watt lamp you're basically running the equivalent of 10 100 watt incandescent bulbs in terms of power usage. The power company won't come knocking at your door with the cops because you're not doing anything suspicious. Even if they did notice a pattern in your power usage during the 12/12 cycle it's still not enough proof to come knocking at your door.

I've used a 400 watt light, and now im using a 600 watt light, both have provided no problems for me at all. The total increase for my electricity bill for my entire setup was only an extra 30-35 a month. I ran two T-12 shop lights, one squirrel cage fan @ 80 cfm, a stanley blower, a 400 watt HPS (the 600 watt light gave me the 5 dollar increase), a 12" oscillating fan, and a 6" stationary fan.

So if i were you i would grab a 400 watt light and design a slightly smaller room to maximize the light. A 600 watt light would be better since it gives you a much better lumen output then a 400 watt light and is a lot easier (and cheaper) to cool and run then a 1000 watt light.


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineEnd Game
Shroomerite
Male


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 237
Last seen: 14 years, 11 days
Re: energy use poll [Re: hazey]
    #11444 - 04/24/08 12:49 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineHanky
Fat Ladies Bingo

Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 2,397
Loc: Ass Flavour Pie Factory
Last seen: 15 years, 6 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: coda]
    #11445 - 04/24/08 12:52 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

coda said:
Power companies won't bust you for running your lights. The reason people get nailed by the power company is because they're usually stealing power. Something like that shows up a lot easier then someone running a few lights in there house.

Think about it, if you ran one 1000 watt lamp you're basically running the equivalent of 10 100 watt incandescent bulbs in terms of power usage. The power company won't come knocking at your door with the cops because you're not doing anything suspicious. Even if they did notice a pattern in your power usage during the 12/12 cycle it's still not enough proof to come knocking at your door.

I've used a 400 watt light, and now im using a 600 watt light, both have provided no problems for me at all. The total increase for my electricity bill for my entire setup was only an extra 30-35 a month. I ran two T-12 shop lights, one squirrel cage fan @ 80 cfm, a stanley blower, a 400 watt HPS (the 600 watt light gave me the 5 dollar increase), a 12" oscillating fan, and a 6" stationary fan.

So if i were you i would grab a 400 watt light and design a slightly smaller room to maximize the light. A 600 watt light would be better since it gives you a much better lumen output then a 400 watt light and is a lot easier (and cheaper) to cool and run then a 1000 watt light.




Well said!

You can cover the cost of running a HID by swapping all your house light to CFL and TURNING SHIT OFF WHEN YOU AREN"T USING IT!


--------------------
Coaster Said:  "wut do u post bout flumbooyon"

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineethnoguy
E to the G
Male User Gallery


Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 429
Loc: your momma's house
Last seen: 15 years, 4 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: Hanky]
    #11453 - 04/24/08 01:05 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Unless you have a damn factory going, don't worry. My power use (closet grow) is very small.

EG

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineYrat
Happy Planting
 User Gallery

Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 886
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: ethnoguy]
    #11546 - 04/24/08 11:46 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

400W x 24hr = 9600 watt-hours a day, = 9.6 kilowatt-hours x 30 days = 288kwh a month

multiply this by about $0.12/kwh and u get around $35 extra a month. this doesn't include all those BS delivery charges though, which can run upwards of about $0.05/kwh around here, so another $14 on top of that for a total of $49 a month. you might have it cheaper or more expensive, you'll have to check your power company's rates. all i know is i get charged out the ass for electricity here, and i don't even grow inside.


--------------------
"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." - Abraham Lincoln


"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil
to one who is striking at the root"
~ Henry D. Thoreau
Strike The Root
                                                                                      :gethigh:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: Yrat]
    #11694 - 04/24/08 04:06 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

Well said!




Thanks, man. Personally, unless you have budget or space concerns, i don't see the point in running anything but a HID lamp.

Quote:

multiply this by about $0.12/kwh and u get around $35 extra a month.




It's been a while, but, last i remember my power bill was only $.008/kwh. I'll have to look again though, i also switched power companies this year, it may have been .08/kwh. I do know that it was insanely cheap.

Also, that's 35 bones per month if you're running your lamp 24/7. Since a lot of people use fluros or lower wattage lights for veg you can effectively chop that figure in 1/2 (35/mo for 24/0 17.50/mo for 12/12). So, if you use your power costs, a 400 watt lamp on it's own costs less then 20 dollars a month to run on 12/12. With that scenario it's quite possible to keep your entire setup (fans, pumps, etc) running below 30$/mo.


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinehazey


Registered: 04/22/08
Posts: 13
Loc: British Colombia
Last seen: 16 years, 5 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: coda]
    #11874 - 04/24/08 08:32 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

thanks guys! assurance is a wonderful thing!

so with fans going and maybe a hydro setup it will only be slightly more then..

im thinking timing will be good since the hotter months are coming up, whos to say i dont run the AC all the freakin time??

i like this community :cool:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: hazey]
    #11921 - 04/24/08 09:14 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

if you're area is really hot in the summer you're going to want to run your lights at night during the 12/12 cycle. Makes it a lot easier to keep the room at a decent temp, plus if you run your grow at night while you sleep you'll consume less electricity unless you like sleeping with all the lights in your house on.


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineYrat
Happy Planting
 User Gallery

Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 886
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: coda]
    #12562 - 04/25/08 11:56 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

coda said:

It's been a while, but, last i remember my power bill was only $.008/kwh.  I'll have to look again though, i also switched power companies this year, it may have been .08/kwh.  I do know that it was insanely cheap.

Also, that's 35 bones per month if you're running your lamp 24/7.  Since a lot of people use fluros or lower wattage lights for veg you can effectively chop that figure in 1/2 (35/mo for 24/0 17.50/mo for 12/12).  So, if you use your power costs, a 400 watt lamp on it's own costs less then 20 dollars a month to run on 12/12.  With that scenario it's quite possible to keep your entire setup (fans, pumps, etc) running below 30$/mo.




yup :thumbup:

you probably had $0.08/kwh.  that's 33% less than my ridiculous $0.12/kwh.  If it was less than a cent at $0.008 i'd be moving to where ever you live!


--------------------
"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." - Abraham Lincoln


"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil
to one who is striking at the root"
~ Henry D. Thoreau
Strike The Root
                                                                                      :gethigh:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: Yrat]
    #12678 - 04/25/08 02:57 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

just checked im actually getting charged $.05/kwh hehe. The .008 was something called debt adjustment which was right underneath the power charge.


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineerb
 User Gallery


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 198
Last seen: 13 years, 9 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: Yrat]
    #12679 - 04/25/08 02:57 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Lights are not created equal..The newer electronic and digital ballasts are about 15% to 20% more efficient compared to the older magnetic ballasts.
Same wattage, lower power bill.:thumbup:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: erb]
    #12691 - 04/25/08 03:06 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

true, but, even a lamp that's 20% more efficient will only save you a few dollars a month and around 100 dollars per year. Using the above example of 288 KWH/mo w/ a 35$/mo bill you only save 7 bucks per month (.2*288)*.12 = 26.84$/mo. Granted any extra money in your pocket is good money, but you really aren't saving all too much with the newer ballasts.


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineerb
 User Gallery


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 198
Last seen: 13 years, 9 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: coda]
    #12836 - 04/25/08 06:37 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

It also means a lower energy footprint.20% less suspicious.:thumbup:

They also extend the life of your grow lights…over three times that of magnetic versions.You can use HPS or MH bulbs.Start-up times in under one minute. Due to an absence of fans, they run extremely quietly, and produce much less heat than their core-and-coil counterparts. Cut-off circuitry increases safety. A rise in lumen output means a higher yield.

The 600W ballasts weigh less than 10 pounds compared to over 40 pounds for magnetic ballasts.
You can get a 600 watt for less than $200 now.

Edited by erb (04/25/08 07:42 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineSirius
Saturn Ascends


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: erb]
    #13355 - 04/26/08 03:45 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

erb said:
It also means a lower energy footprint.20% less suspicious.:thumbup:

They also extend the life of your grow lights…over three times that of magnetic versions.You can use HPS or MH bulbs.Start-up times in under one minute. Due to an absence of fans, they run extremely quietly, and produce much less heat than their core-and-coil counterparts. Cut-off circuitry increases safety. A rise in lumen output means a higher yield.

The 600W ballasts weigh less than 10 pounds compared to over 40 pounds for magnetic ballasts.
You can get a 600 watt for less than $200 now.




Now that you have my full and undivided attention, do you know any sweet places online to find these pieces of technology? I was searching Google Shopping last night to see what I could find for 600 watt HPS but I wasn't finding too many options, especially not stuff like that.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: Sirius]
    #13596 - 04/26/08 02:24 PM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

It also means a lower energy footprint.20% less suspicious.




eh, unless you're running 20,000 watts the power company won't know what you're doing.

Quote:

They also extend the life of your grow lights…over three times that of magnetic versions.You can use HPS or MH bulbs.Start-up times in under one minute. Due to an absence of fans, they run extremely quietly, and produce much less heat than their core-and-coil counterparts. Cut-off circuitry increases safety. A rise in lumen output means a higher yield.




Now there are the advantages that are truly important!  I run a lumatek 600 watt digital and compared to my hydrofarm 400 watt ballast, it runs a lot cool, weighs less, takes up less space, and starts a lot faster.  It seems to be a bit sturdier too, i didn't even have my 400 watt ballast for a year before the capacitor blew on it.  So until i get bored and want to fix it i have a 30 lb paper weight lying around :wink:

I do like the digi's more, another thing i notice is they don't hum like my other ballast did.  It wasn't a loud hum, but if you were in the room with it you'd be able to hear it.  Plus it made a loud "chunk" sound every time it fired that you could actually hear downstairs if you were paying attention for it.


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineChronica


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 114
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 14 years, 2 months
Re: energy use poll [Re: coda]
    #14493 - 04/28/08 12:35 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

coda said:
if you're area is really hot in the summer you're going to want to run your lights at night during the 12/12 cycle. Makes it a lot easier to keep the room at a decent temp, plus if you run your grow at night while you sleep you'll consume less electricity unless you like sleeping with all the lights in your house on.




hows this work?

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleLaysthepipe
Vivi Sex Symbol
 User Gallery

Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,359
Loc: KOREA
Re: energy use poll [Re: Chronica]
    #14503 - 04/28/08 12:55 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

invalid poll no STAL


--------------------
:advisory:

“If you want to find out who your real friends are, sink the ship. The first ones to jump aren’t your friends.” — Marilyn Manson

This isn't the correct place to confront me on anything.

Forum full of dead stars, and a necro I called Coma White

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisibledutchmushroom
Gratefuly Dead
Male


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 121
Loc: Dodge
Re: energy use poll [Re: Laysthepipe]
    #14515 - 04/28/08 01:31 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

you ever find something to hang that light up with man?


peace out Dm


--------------------
"Comes a time when the blind man takes your hand says: don't you see? Gotta make it some how, on the dreams you still believe, Don't give it up, you've got an empty cup, only love can fill, only love can fill"

"The bus came by and I got on, and thats when it all began"

250w Digital HPS Growlight kit, ballast/lightbulb/reflector +Organic Botanicare Pure Blend Pro nutes Sale or Trade




                 
       

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblecoda


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: Chronica]
    #14581 - 04/28/08 10:43 AM (16 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

Chronica said:
Quote:

coda said:
if you're area is really hot in the summer you're going to want to run your lights at night during the 12/12 cycle. Makes it a lot easier to keep the room at a decent temp, plus if you run your grow at night while you sleep you'll consume less electricity unless you like sleeping with all the lights in your house on.




hows this work?




By setting your timer to turn the lights on at night and off in the morning/afternoon.

I run my lights from 9 pm to 9 am for my 12/12 cycle. Highest temps have been 84, lowest temps have been low 70's (with the lights on).


--------------------


MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineSirius
Saturn Ascends


Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
Trusted Cultivator
Re: energy use poll [Re: coda]
    #33646 - 05/19/08 06:46 AM (16 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

coda said:
true, but, even a lamp that's 20% more efficient will only save you a few dollars a month and around 100 dollars per year.




Not to bump an old thread, but I was searching for this while contemplating whether or not my friend should pay an extra $150 for a digital ballast, and in a year the decrease in energy usage alone almost pays for the difference, even if it doesn't seem much month by month. This helps alleviate some of the concern he's having about paying that much more. :wink:

Is it really true though, that the bulbs typically last three times as long? The savings there would really make it worth the initial investment. :yesnod:

I'm reading that the digital ballasts have 30-40% more lumen output than the magnetic ballasts. Is this where the 20% savings in electricity comes from, or is that simply due to the fact that it loses less watts converting from the power supply to the lamp, and the boosted lumen output due to the fact that the microprocessors involved with the lamp cause the ballast to use the lamp more efficiently as well?
:strokebeard:


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1 | 2  [ show all ]

Shop: Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   North Spore North Spore Mushroom Grow Kits & Cultivation Supplies   MagicBag.co All-In-One Bags That Don't Suck   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* Electricity Bill
( 1 2 all )
OregonChronic 8,191 26 03/23/11 06:44 PM
by RasJeph
* Idea to conceal electrical use Mr. Hands 1,572 2 08/01/09 07:30 PM
by Data
* Anyone here using lots of Electricity?
( 1 2 all )
pftek 10,222 36 12/27/09 11:39 AM
by coda
* so you are worried about the electric bill and getting caught
( 1 2 all )
Kilroy 17,327 33 12/10/10 12:41 AM
by Poisoncrazy
* Electric question richismalls 1,934 11 05/09/14 12:45 AM
by phychotron
* Electricity question Dimo114 1,111 5 09/22/11 07:45 PM
by night train
* Need some help with electric Equipment
( 1 2 all )
MushrooMan420 5,006 20 07/28/10 11:20 PM
by MushrooMan420
* Solar Energy? Farmer Joe 1,760 5 01/04/10 09:18 PM
by TheShroomJew23

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: FurrowedBrow, Magash, Data, Dr. Siekadellyk, phychotron
8,247 topic views. 0 members, 25 guests and 145 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:
World Seed Supply
Please support our sponsors.

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.031 seconds spending 0.009 seconds on 19 queries.