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#51
01/23/2006, 02:41 PM
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That is 500 watts of light not the input to your ballast. I run 2 250 watt MH on my tank. The ballast pulls 8 amps of power per light. So 8 amps x 120 volts = 960 watts per light. Energy in is not equal to energy out. |
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#52
01/23/2006, 02:58 PM
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Here are the specs for an IceCap Electronic Ballast (admittedly less than what an HQI ballast would pull), but its still way less that 8 amps: http://www.icecapinc.com/pdf/250mh.pdf Anybody know what a run of the mill HQI ballast pulls?
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Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. |
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#53
01/23/2006, 03:07 PM
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well I didn't say they were the most efficient.
They are PFO's and yes they suck. They are magnetic ballasts. I have a FLUKE amp meter and have tested them. The electronic ICE CAPS are better and I am going to buy some. The point was Light power donsn't equal ballast power. |
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#54
01/23/2006, 03:11 PM
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i agree 8 amps per light is alot.
But back to the matter at hand. My electric bill went up by 75.00 easy. The chiller is 75.00 alone when the summer comes around. I turn it off completly during the winter and use fans until im forced to turn it back on.
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I think of one later. |
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#57
01/23/2006, 04:45 PM
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At 8 amps, those new IceCaps should pay for themselves in...say....a couple weeks?
 My tank is running about 11 amps when everything is on (estimated). Based on usage patterns (lights 10hr/day, etc.)...it comes out to around $70/month in my neck of the woods (~600kW-hrs). This is with 2 250w MHs, a 1/8hp CL pump, Ca reactor, needlewheel skimmer, etc. No chiller yet...probably have to add that too come summer.
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Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. |
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#59
01/23/2006, 04:59 PM
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My electric bill went up almost $100, havent changed a thing...So CA Edison is my util company. Raised rates this year !@#! 'ers. So it might be just a general rate increase which is inflating the bill...grrr!
Last edited by StinkinTuna; 01/23/2006 at 05:10 PM. |
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#60
01/23/2006, 05:30 PM
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__________________
Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. |
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#61
01/23/2006, 05:31 PM
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I'd ask to see 3 previous months bills - just for comparison sake. At least it would give you an idea of what the house usage was before you fired up 500w of MH. And then, there's a rate increase that should be factored in as well. I went from T5's to MH and our kilowatt usage jumped a little too. I cut back on the photo period a couple hours. But I have a fixed rate electrical bill that's based on a 12 month average. You might want to see if that's available in your area. Winter or summer I never really get any big surprises. Even if you calculated the wattage of every electrical device in the home; I don't think this is a battle you're going to win. IMO, peace in the home is INVALUABLE. If you want your home to be as peaceful as your reef, pony up the xtra dollars and remain the great guy your mother-in-law tells everyone you are
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#62
01/23/2006, 05:31 PM
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BTW, I just started up this thread about how to save electricity on reef tanks. Feel free to add some tips:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=758446
__________________
Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. |
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#63
01/23/2006, 05:35 PM
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Wow, 18' to the sump! I guess you're not using that Mag9.5 for your return pump since they list the shutoff head as ~13.5' I think. What are you using for a return pump? If you're using the Mag as a closed loop or a powerhead just replace it with a Seio 820 or 1100 and that'll save you a few bucks right there.
As far as the icecaps go, they'll actually pull more power than the standard electronic ballasts with the T5's (I think it's ~80W instead of 54W), but they also put out more light. Four T5s might be pushing the lower limits for that tank so the extra output from overdriving them probably wouldn't hurt. Bear in mind that four bulbs at 80W will probably give you similar light output to five or six at 54W. |
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#64
01/25/2006, 11:00 PM
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I think if fuel costs were "normal" I'd be about 220.00
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SeaTest Hydrometer?.... $8.00 Seachem Marine Test Kit? ...$24.00 The look on my wife's face as I'm staring out into our 35 acre lake and wondering how much salt I'll need?... Priceless. |
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