well im searching on htgsupply and im looking to buy a 400 watt digital ballast. the only problem is that they dont have any kits for it for cheap. so i decided to make my own and it came up to around 300 bucks. i saw that the 600 watt one comes with a kit and it is basically the same things i added to the 400 watt one and is way cheaper all together. so im looking to buy the 600 watt one but im stressing out on how much the electric bill might come up to be. is it really that much of a difference electricity based using 600 watt one rather than the 400 watt.
help with hps light
- Thread starter bboyzdogg
- Start date
PointOfTheJoint
Active Member
why even waste your time with those bigger wattages your better off with a 250 watt they cover an averagr 4ft by 4ft area and you can buy them in
2 way versions so you only need to buy the bulbs...
2 way versions so you only need to buy the bulbs...
pennywise619
Well-Known Member
Ya, but why buy 250 when you can get 400 for 20 dollars more, also 400 would only add a 20 dollar increase on your bill ran at 12/12
herbose
Well-Known Member
I agree about going smaller in that space. I have a4x8 foot space with 8 plants and 1000w. I wish I went for 400 or even 600. The 1000 costs a hell of a lot of money to run.
PointOfTheJoint
Active Member
can i get a monthly estimate?
pennywise619
Well-Known Member
what is your kwh on your electric bill? Tell me this and I will give you an exact estimate.
Also, tell me watt you plan on running.
Also, tell me watt you plan on running.
mercer88
Well-Known Member
ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL ( OR ESTIMATE A SPARK BILL)
BUT if you are worried about enrgy consumption remember the following few things can be done to help lower the usage
1) change all light bulbs in your house to low wattage energy saving light bulbs ( they will cost a few bucks but in the long run you will make the money back from the energy u aint using)
2) close windows at night or day when its cold to keep the heat in ( or cold out) to save on heating costs
3) turn all lights off when possible ( even if your only going out the room for a crap , or to get something, switch them off) those extra watts u using when u dotn need to still cost ya
4) take all appliances of standby when you aint using them( stereos ,dvd players, tvs, ps3's, even microwaves ( dont worry you dont need the clock on it set ) thats what a battery powered wall clock is for)
5) never boil a full kettle of water for cofee or tea , ( it uses up masses of electricity, boil one or two cups depending on what you make) dont be lazy you can fill it up again after if u want another !
these are just a few of endless tips on electricty saving,
i can give more, but that will be useless , ( unless everyone in the world read them and used them)
BUT if you are worried about enrgy consumption remember the following few things can be done to help lower the usage
1) change all light bulbs in your house to low wattage energy saving light bulbs ( they will cost a few bucks but in the long run you will make the money back from the energy u aint using)
2) close windows at night or day when its cold to keep the heat in ( or cold out) to save on heating costs
3) turn all lights off when possible ( even if your only going out the room for a crap , or to get something, switch them off) those extra watts u using when u dotn need to still cost ya
4) take all appliances of standby when you aint using them( stereos ,dvd players, tvs, ps3's, even microwaves ( dont worry you dont need the clock on it set ) thats what a battery powered wall clock is for)
5) never boil a full kettle of water for cofee or tea , ( it uses up masses of electricity, boil one or two cups depending on what you make) dont be lazy you can fill it up again after if u want another !
these are just a few of endless tips on electricty saving,
i can give more, but that will be useless , ( unless everyone in the world read them and used them)
what type of hps are you refferring to? digital or magnetic?? im debating of that too
sorry for the double post but this is what i will be using as a grow room.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=228730-444-WS24MP1&lpage=none
what wattage should i use and how many plants can i grow at the same time? should i use cfl and hps or mh and hps?
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=228730-444-WS24MP1&lpage=none
what wattage should i use and how many plants can i grow at the same time? should i use cfl and hps or mh and hps?
greenearth5
Well-Known Member
400Watt = $28.80
600Watt = $43.20
That is the total cost of your electricty if it cost 10cents per kilowatt hour and you run the light 24 hours a day for 30 days straight
EDIT: if you want me to break the math down so you can double check my answer then hit me up...
600Watt = $43.20
That is the total cost of your electricty if it cost 10cents per kilowatt hour and you run the light 24 hours a day for 30 days straight
EDIT: if you want me to break the math down so you can double check my answer then hit me up...
jordisgarden
Well-Known Member
atgstores.com proffessional lights section, i got this 400 watt hps for under 200 dollars, it was like 189 plus shipping and handleing it all together came to 194 , not bad considering my 3 100 watt hps lamps cost me 150 each at home not so cheapo depot. atgstores.com it the lighting universe site and it sells all types of stuff for the home so your not buying from a hydro or horticulture site. i am very happy with it. oh the hortilux bulb cost me another 89.00 dollars us currency....sorry im not sure about it if your in australia though, or not in the usa
Attachments
greenearth5
Well-Known Member
dude you got riped off paying 150 bucks for a 100 watt hps system
i got a 150 watt hps system for 75 bucks including shipping from HTG
i choose htg
http://www.htgsupply.com/
i got a 150 watt hps system for 75 bucks including shipping from HTG
i choose htg
http://www.htgsupply.com/
OregonMeds
Well-Known Member
The right size light for that cabinet is in fact a 250w... But you sound like you really want to push for max growth and in that case I reccomend this cooltubed 400w:
http://cgi.ebay.com/400w-HPS-COOL-TUBE-GROW-LIGHT-400-watt-Sodium-Cooltube_W0QQitemZ180127387721QQcmdZViewItemQQptZHydroponics_Seed_Starting?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Notice that is HTG company, not just some idiot on ebay. You can order it straight from them a little cheaper than off ebay if you call them.
You hook up exhaust and intake right to it so most of the heat never even gets into the cabinet, and that's about the only way you're going to manage the temperatures.
Even with a 250 you probably need a cooltube.
http://cgi.ebay.com/400w-HPS-COOL-TUBE-GROW-LIGHT-400-watt-Sodium-Cooltube_W0QQitemZ180127387721QQcmdZViewItemQQptZHydroponics_Seed_Starting?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Notice that is HTG company, not just some idiot on ebay. You can order it straight from them a little cheaper than off ebay if you call them.
You hook up exhaust and intake right to it so most of the heat never even gets into the cabinet, and that's about the only way you're going to manage the temperatures.
Even with a 250 you probably need a cooltube.
doctorgreeneggsandham
Well-Known Member
wow you should get the 600w!!! no question. it will raise your bill some but it is the most efficient HPS and it will give you the most buds in return. it totally pays for its self. HTGsupply is the shit!!!
doctorgreeneggsandham
Well-Known Member
oh and a cool tube is a 40 something dollar upgrade, an inline fan is only 25, and ducting is 25 there but its cheaper elsewhere.
herbose
Well-Known Member
Right...except for one thing. PG&E has a rising scale. When you use more than normal you pay more. I got up to $.35 per kwh. With heater in the winter and a/c in the summer (1000w light makes a lot of heat) my bill was $300 over my normal house bill.
thanks to everybody that has put in there two cents. i just ordered a 400watt hps system with a 6 inch cool tube. i think if i was to get something lower i would have regretted it in the long run. i cant wait to get my package and start growing though its going to take a while because i need to build the grow cabinet. anyways... 
