strictly seedleSs
Well-Known Member
Looking to save electricity, i want to convert my ballasts to 240. I was wondering how much electricity that would save. 10%, 25%, none, help me out please.
Looking to save elctricity
- Thread starter strictly seedleSs
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Hydro929
Well-Known Member
None. Same amount amount of electricity just less current which runs a cooler ballast.
spliffbazz
Well-Known Member
veg with high output flourescent tubes big 6 footer 2 bulb ........peace
spliffbazz
spliffbazz
strictly seedleSs
Well-Known Member
thanks guys, but if the ballast was running cooler then the the system would be more efficient and save some electricity. I know cooler wires run more effectively.
abellguy
Active Member
Two 1000w 240v lights are just a little bit more electricity than one 1000w 120v light. Hope this helps
Hydro929
Well-Known Member
Not according to like every light manufacturer in the world. It's even in the '09 Sunlight Supply catalog.Two 1000w 240v lights are just a little bit more electricity than one 1000w 120v light. Hope this helps
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
The heat is power dissipation, should be the same (give or take a few)
110 vs 240, the electricity savings is infinitesimal.
Digi ballasts only save on that the ballast draws. A magnetic 400W takes 450w from the wall. So if the digi claims a 10% savings, that 10% of the extra 50W, so you save 5w. wold have to run that light for a few years to recoupe the extra $ for the digi.
110 vs 240, the electricity savings is infinitesimal.
Digi ballasts only save on that the ballast draws. A magnetic 400W takes 450w from the wall. So if the digi claims a 10% savings, that 10% of the extra 50W, so you save 5w. wold have to run that light for a few years to recoupe the extra $ for the digi.
strictly seedleSs
Well-Known Member
okay so after reading up some more i found that if you use 220 you can pull more watts from the same size wire of the 120 application. So if you are using 12 gauge wire you can pull 16 amps consistently (safely), if you hook up 220 you can pull twice the watts but still only pull 16. I know 12 gauge is rated for 20 amps but you cant pull that continuously.
BooRadley
Well-Known Member
If you want to save electricity, your best bet is to look for ways to do it elsewhere in the building. Same old stuff: replace all incandescent with cfls (except for the refrigerator light), turn off televisions, radios, computer monitors and other electronic equipment when not in use, etc.
I know that you probably have thought of all this already, but you would be surprised how many people are still using incandescent for the lighting in every room.
I know that you probably have thought of all this already, but you would be surprised how many people are still using incandescent for the lighting in every room.
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
You are joking right????If all things are equal between 120 and 240 then why is your oven a 240 volt appliance or your dryer? There is a reason they make 240 lights. I have run systems both ways and there is def a power savings that you can see in your pocket book. Hope this helps
Its power consumption and economics. Look at the high tension wires. 13KV, no insulation (other then varnish for corrosion) and lighter/cheaper runs.
Factory lights (typically are MH or HPS are 277V, thats *one* phase of a triple phase system that most factories run on.)
240 dryer/range is for power, *not* a electrical savings. Its cheaper (ie:less copper etc) for higher voltage. Higher voltage calls for better insuation, but being that most 'standard' wire insulation is rated for 600v an 80C (temp), insulation is cheaper.)
long runs of copper wire for 1/2 the current is cheaper enough to go higher voltage.
Watts is power used. Plain and simple. 400W on 120 vs 240, vs 480 is all the same. Twice the current at 1/2 the voltage, or twice the voltage vs 1/2 the current.. Ohm's law has *never* be disproved.
strictly seedleSs
Well-Known Member
Im really well medicated right now and that^ almost gave me a brain anurism. I read it a couple times and im still kind of confused with what your saying...227v is *one phase*? 120 is one phase of a two phase system, 240 is two phase, so why is 227/240 one phase of a three phase system?
abellguy
Active Member
This right here kind of sums it up. If you were to have a stove on 120 it would work it just wouldn't be as efficiant as a 240. The wires would be very hot at 120 so they go with 240.
This only applies as you stay within the proper percentage of the total amount of your available power. As you go up in the amount of light and get close to the maximum of your available power you are right back in the same situation as if you had 120.
If you have 100amps available at your panel and you are drawing 95 amps all the time you are going to pay more in electicity than if you have a 200 amp panel and draw the same 95 amps.
It is kind of hard to explain but I know I see a difference in my pocket book, that is all I care about. Hope this helps
strictly seedleSs
Well-Known Member
thanks guys
There's an interesting thread about this subject over at icmag. The bottom line seems to be that it will save you money, but not very much:
The full thread is here, for anyone interested.You save a penny and a half per day on a 12 hour bloom cycle billed @ 11cents pKWh by running @ 240v...
I'm gonna switch right now!Not.
Lets put it another way. If you really love wriglys Juicy Fruit gum and it costs 1.29 at your local supermarket, after running your light @ 240v for
947 HOURS
you can get a "free" pack of gum.
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
volts x amps = watts. (100V x 10A = 1000W or 200V X 5A = 1000W)
Amps drop proportionally to voltage.
You are billed on watts.
demand usage can create different rates.
But hey, I'm just going by the laws of psychics, what do they know?
Amps drop proportionally to voltage.
You are billed on watts.
demand usage can create different rates.
But hey, I'm just going by the laws of psychics, what do they know?
HappySack
Well-Known Member
If you want to save electricity, turn your electric hog (hot water heater), down to a cool running stream. Change your incandescent bulbs to cfl. Turn off your 300w-600w computer when you leave. turn up the temp on the a/c, or just turn it off. Cook on the grill. Turn the frig/freezer down. turn off the lights/tv.
strictly seedleSs
Well-Known Member
all my appliances, except the microwave, are propane. all the bulbs in my house are cfls.we dont leave anything not in use on.
BigBudBalls-I appreciate your input, and bubbles is hilarious.
BigBudBalls-I appreciate your input, and bubbles is hilarious.