$$$ Energy used 24/7

[GoodGrnMeds]

I've done quite a bit of reading here, but have yet to find someone who could give me an idea of how much there electricity bill increased when using 400watt Hps / Mh light kits that plug into a standard socket. I'm also looking at a 1000watt Hps/Mh light kit. Any help would be greatly apreciated.

All I need is my top light to get started. I figure if the expense monthly is about the same, I might as well go with the higher wattage...

Thanks in advance... I hope to be up and growing soon!

[Akornpatch]

Depends how much a kWh costs where you live. 18/6 at 10 cents/kWh will run you $54 a month. Add another 1/3 for 24 hours.

[Akornpatch]

that's a 1000 watter BTW.

[GoodGrnMeds]

Thanks Akornpatch. I looked at my bill and kWh run about 10 cents here too. Actually a little less. So you mean to tell me that I can run that 1000 watter 18/6 and expect about a $60.00 increase? That's all! Anybody else wanna wiegh in? That's not bad at all! DankCloset was right, if that's the electricty expense I'm looking at to get the yield I want, It's well worth it! Man, I can't wait!

[Akornpatch]

Plus you'll be less time "on" during flowering...12 hours.

Also make sure you have enough amps on the circuit you're plugged into.

[SmokeWeed]

Try this chart for your true electric costs.......
The first chart will be for wattage at one cent per kilowatt hour & so if you're
paying 8.5 cents p/kwh you would multiply any figure in the chart by 8.5.
In the second chart the cost has been figured at six cents p/kwh which is the
national average.


Call your local power company and see what they’re charging you per kilowatt hour. Your monthly power bill might say what they’re charging you a month.


Example if your paying 01.Cent Per kilowatt hour:

A 1000 Watt bulb on 24 hours a day for 1 month will cost $07.20

18/6 Light schedule will cost $05.40

12/12 Light schedule will cost $03.60

A 600 Watt bulb on 24 hours will cost $04.32 a month

18/6 Light schedule will cost $03.24

12/12 Light schedule will cost $02.16

A 430 Watt bulb on 24 hours will cost $03.10 a month.

18/6 Light schedule will cost $02.32

12/12 Light schedule will cost $01.55

A 400 Watt bulb on 24 hours will cost $02.88 a month

18/6 Light schedule will cost $02.16

12/12 Light schedule will cost $01.44

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

Example if your paying 06.Cent Per kilowatt hour:

A 1000 Watt bulb on 24 hours a day for 1 month will cost $43.20

18/6 Light schedule will cost $32.40

12/12 Light schedule will cost $21.60

A 600 Watt bulb on 24 hours will cost $25.92 a month

18/6 Light schedule will cost $19.44

12/12 Light schedule will cost $12.96

A 430 Watt bulb on 24 hours will cost $18.58 a month.

18/6 Light schedule will cost $13.92

12/12 Light schedule will cost $9.29

A 400 Watt bulb on 24 hours will cost $17.28 a month

18/6 Light schedule will cost $12.96

12/12 Light schedule will cost $8.64

The formula for converting watts to amps......
WATTS divided by VOLTS = AMPS

Two 400 watt HPS lamps = 800 watts.
Standard home current in the USA = 120 volts
So 800watts divided by 120volts = 6.66amps

Play it SAFE! Do Not overload your breakers!
Most home circuit breakers are 15 or 20 amps

Don't come close to loads either....why risk plunging your plants into darkness by overloading circuits? Untimely darkness might cause morphing turning females into males.

[GoodGrnMeds]

Man, you guys are the bomb!!! Thank you so much! ***********, that thread was great! And DanknBeyond, thank you! So many cool ass people in here. I wish I could thank you guys in person and blow one at the the same time to show my apreciation!

One more question, both light kits(400 & 1000) plug directly in to a standard socket... Will these blow a breaker if I plan on running 24/7 initially?

[Stix]

Your average receptacle circuit in a house is 15 amps. Some receptacle circuits may be 20 amps at the most. to figure out the load in (amps) you must divide the wattage by the voltage. 1400watts/ 120volts= 12 amps. However lights with ballasts actually draw more power then the bulb itself. The amount of (power loss) depends on the quality and size of the ballast itself. Usually the loss is minimal. Usually less then an amp. So, to answer your question. Yes you can use those lights on one receptacle as long as that's the only thing running on that circuit. Easy way to figure out what else is on that circuit is by shutting the breaker off that powers the receptacle you plan to plug your lights into. Check your whole house and see what else is on with it. If you have other receptacles on that circuit that arent being used then don't worry about it. Make sure you check all lights in the house as well. It's very common that lights and receptacles are sometimes on the same circuit. Good luck and Happy Growing!

[Carrie8300]

stoner for life thanks you!!!!

[Stix]

Originally Posted by ***********

The formula for converting watts to amps......
WATTS divided by VOLTS = AMPS

Two 400 watt HPS lamps = 800 watts.
Standard home current in the USA = 120 volts
So 800watts divided by 120volts = 6.66amps

Play it SAFE! Do Not overload your breakers!
Most home circuit breakers are 15 or 20 amps

Don't come close to loads either....why risk plunging your plants into darkness by overloading circuits? Untimely darkness might cause morphing turning females into males.

was that there before I posted? I don't remember seeing it. I noticed you edited the post. Sorry if it was and I just repeated what ya said.
A good rule of thumb is to only load a circuit 80% of what it can handle. So, basically a 15 amp circuit can handle 1440 watts without a problem.

[SmokeWeed]

Originally Posted by Stix

was that there before I posted? I don't remember seeing it. I noticed you edited the post. Sorry if it was and I just repeated what ya said.
A good rule of thumb is to only load a circuit 80% of what it can handle. So, basically a 15 amp circuit can handle 1440 watts without a problem.

Yeah it was there but I'm glad you said your part as well bro.....
It's so important to be responsible in NOT endangering anyone by poor
judgement in electrical usage. Play it safe is best bet.