"Smart" power meters from utility co.

chronicallyDank

chronicallyDank

Active Member
Jeffdt1966 said:
As far as I know the power companies dont report the customers as long as the y pay for what they use . Cant garantee yours feels this way ... but most do . It is usually the police that are already onto you asking for the records when this happens . Myself .. i love the small watt cfls .. if your not trying to sell and just keep yourself in stash they are the way to .
Click to expand...
makinthemagic said:
your power usage data is somewhat confidential. the electric co. isn't going to broadcast your usage to the cops without a subpoena. like has been mentioned above, its going to come down to your usage. a 1000 watts is a tv, amplifier, some lights, a/c, etc. if you are drawing a few thousand watts in a 1 bed apartment, the wrong people may take notice. you could take advantage of the meters by running your lights at off-peak hours to reduce your bill. then again, it might be harder to justify using a kilowatt at night when you work a 9-5.
Click to expand...
408RAIDER said:
Just pay your bill on time and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...
ChubbySoap said:
hello, police?
yes. power company here.
we noticed one of our customers has suddenly started using more of our product at odd hours and yet continues to pay on time.
clearly he's illegally growing pot.
please arrest him before he uses more of our product and pays us more money.
thanks.
Click to expand...
woodsmaneh! said:
Don't worry about it we don't care when you use it as long as you pay for it. The meters do a number of things as pointed out but the other thing they do real well is when the power company switches to time of use billing that's what you will see. We do it in Ontario Canada and we also have the ability to turn your air back a couple degrees during heavy power usage. You need to sign up for the program. Other than that everyone go back to growing and get ready for power prices to double during 7 am to 7 pm, ........... we don't go to the cops with info if you pay your bills, so get growing
Click to expand...
These guys pretty much nailed it. Even if the power company somehow deduced what you were using all that power for, they would be shooting themselves in the feet if they sent a paying customer to jail. So basically, pay your bill and make sure all your stuff is safe and up to code and I dont think they would have a problem with what youre doing.
 
Timmahh

Timmahh

Well-Known Member
all the more reason to go off grid.

but the reasoning im sure is, by knowing the HIGH points of leccy draw on the system, which is data they ll be able to use with 30 minute to 1 hr updates, then they could really fine tune power output to match draw, and not overtax or undertax the system, thus run more effeciently.

so like anything, there is a backhand for the forhand. possibility of being "inspected" closer, to more effecient management of the power grids, thus lower costs to opperate, which should equal lower bills to customers, but as we all know, will only equal, more bottom line for investors.

im looking at trying to go fully off grid. may cost me 10 to 15g to do. but would be SO worth it.
 
M

mihjaro

Active Member
mr.bond said:
Thank you all for your input and advice!!! I'm currently running just one 1000w lamp. Eventually I'd like to get a second one, but I'll probably run them in 220v to reduce power consumption. Thank you again.

Mr. Bond
Click to expand...
I'm not following how 220 reduces power consumption. Watts are watts, AFAIK. By Ohm's Law (V=IR), raising voltage lowers amperage, but power (P=VI) stays the same.
 
B

BudDub

Active Member
Timmahh said:
all the more reason to go off grid.

but the reasoning im sure is, by knowing the HIGH points of leccy draw on the system, which is data they ll be able to use with 30 minute to 1 hr updates, then they could really fine tune power output to match draw, and not overtax or undertax the system, thus run more effeciently.

so like anything, there is a backhand for the forhand. possibility of being "inspected" closer, to more effecient management of the power grids, thus lower costs to opperate, which should equal lower bills to customers, but as we all know, will only equal, more bottom line for investors.

im looking at trying to go fully off grid. may cost me 10 to 15g to do. but would be SO worth it.
Click to expand...
10 or 15 G's. You must not have looked into very much yet... You'll probably drop half that just on batteries. Depending on your usage another 30 or 40 on panels and a inverter. Not to mention installation. But thats for your house if your doing just the grow op then you might get away with 15. Peace
 
r8rdrew

r8rdrew

Active Member
BudDub said:
Actually I was thinking 1000W on a 4'X4' was perfect... Thats what is recommended anyways isn't it?
Click to expand...
I have a lot of friends taht have been doing this for along time. They ALL use 600w in 4x4 trays hydroponic. I mean ALL of them. Plus I have a friend that is involved (we'll say) in Sun Systems. I think everyone knows who that company is. Anyways he says mathmatically, 4x4 tray only requires 622watts of light.
Now Im not saying it bad to use 1000w lights. I do myself (right now), but I will be switchg everything to 600w in about 6mos. I know what they are getting with those lights, as its the same (actually more cause im using dirt, they arent) than i am getting.
I plan on giving it a shot. Ill let you guys know
 
mr.bond

mr.bond

Well-Known Member
mihjaro said:
I'm not following how 220 reduces power consumption. Watts are watts, AFAIK. By Ohm's Law (V=IR), raising voltage lowers amperage, but power (P=VI) stays the same.
Click to expand...
Mihjaro, you are correct in your statement of Ohm's Law. However, utility companies bill based on power draw as measured in amperes/amps -- everyone draws power all the time, so they need to determine how MUCH you draw -- this is easy calculated with amps. If you run 1x 1000w light in 110v, you're looking at ~9.1 amps. If you run 1x 1000w in 220v, you're looking at ~4.5 amps. 2x 1000w in 220v, about ~9.1 amps. Reducing the amount of amperes concurrently drawn from the grid will put you in a lower tier billing bracket, or keep you from going to a higher tier billing bracket. This makes the biggest impact on billing, because if you get moved into a higher tier bracket, ALL your power draw gets rated at that price per kWh.

Might want to re-distribute that rep.... ;)~

Cheers,
Mr. Bond
 
mr.bond

mr.bond

Well-Known Member
... and who said anything about a 4x4' grow space any way? LOL... I've got a whole room... so 1000w definitely not overkill. Last grow I ran 2 x 1000w. XD

Cheers,
Mr. Bond
 
B

BudDub

Active Member
mr.bond said:
Mihjaro, you are correct in your statement of Ohm's Law. However, utility companies bill based on power draw as measured in amperes/amps -- everyone draws power all the time, so they need to determine how MUCH you draw -- this is easy calculated with amps. If you run 1x 1000w light in 110v, you're looking at ~9.1 amps. If you run 1x 1000w in 220v, you're looking at ~4.5 amps. 2x 1000w in 220v, about ~9.1 amps. Reducing the amount of amperes concurrently drawn from the grid will put you in a lower tier billing bracket, or keep you from going to a higher tier billing bracket. This makes the biggest impact on billing, because if you get moved into a higher tier bracket, ALL your power draw gets rated at that price per kWh.

Might want to re-distribute that rep.... ;)~

Cheers,
Mr. Bond
Click to expand...
In my area only big businesses that use alot of power get charged on a tier systems. I get charged per kW/h. So it wouldn't matter if im using 110v at 9.1 amps OR 220v at 4.5 amps because 1000W = 1000W.
 
DiabloZoe

DiabloZoe

Member
mr.bond said:
Thank you all for your input and advice!!! I'm currently running just one 1000w lamp. Eventually I'd like to get a second one, but I'll probably run them in 220v to reduce power consumption. Thank you again.

Mr. Bond
Click to expand...
You get billed for watts! Watts is watts no matter how you wire up!
 
T

thedude27

Well-Known Member
How much $$$$ do you suppose the power company would like to invest in software and monitoring personelle so that they can reduce their revenue? :) come on

Is that like the old saying, "It takes money to lose money?" haha
 
DiabloZoe

DiabloZoe

Member
mr.bond said:
Mihjaro, you are correct in your statement of Ohm's Law. However, utility companies bill based on power draw as measured in amperes/amps -- everyone draws power all the time, so they need to determine how MUCH you draw -- this is easy calculated with amps. If you run 1x 1000w light in 110v, you're looking at ~9.1 amps. If you run 1x 1000w in 220v, you're looking at ~4.5 amps. 2x 1000w in 220v, about ~9.1 amps. Reducing the amount of amperes concurrently drawn from the grid will put you in a lower tier billing bracket, or keep you from going to a higher tier billing bracket. This makes the biggest impact on billing, because if you get moved into a higher tier bracket, ALL your power draw gets rated at that price per kWh.

Might want to re-distribute that rep.... ;)~

Cheers,
Mr. Bond
Click to expand...
It does not matter kWh is 1000 watts per hr. You get billed for watts does not matter how many amps you pull the higher the voltage the more efficient it is. 120/6 amps 240/3 amps you still get billed the same!
 
HeshWantsCandy

HeshWantsCandy

Active Member
Offtopic but I was wondering if someone could explain exactly how the power consumption rating works to me. Like okay I get how power companies charge you by the kw/h and I get that a given lamp is 1000w but what I'm asking is okay that lamp is 1000w but like it uses 1000w in an hour or it's pulling 1000w the whole time? I never really quite understood this.
 
collective gardener

collective gardener

Well-Known Member
We run 20,000 watts and our shop has smart meters. There are 3 other large grow ops in our complex that I know of. One has been there for over three years and runs 35,000 watts. Never had a problem. If someone was really paranoid and had a large op, a flip settup would kill any 12/12 signature. With a flip the bloom room(s) draw would be 24 hrs.

In the end, lack of meter readers will probably save quite a few backyard growers from some puritanical meter reader doing his civic duty and calling the cops cause he saw a "dope plant." I, for one, have had to place backyard plants in less desirable locations to be sure the meter reader did not see them.

Just like infared sigs and digging through the trash, the power draw will only be looked at if they were already tipped off that you were growing. And, chances are, if that happens they'll get the warrant and end your fun. It comes down to the same thing it's always been...keep your mouth shut and you'll be fine. Every single person I have known that got busted was ratted out by someone, or did business with someone they weren't 100% sure of. Kind of like some people I've seen on this site who start setting up state to state deals in an open forum with someone they met there. Now THAT is asking to get caught.

BTW, my friend owns a machine shop with an electric bill twice what mine is. His shop works 12 hrs/day, 7 days a week. I would think his sig would be the same as mine. Pot growers aren't the only ones using big power for 12 hrs/day.
 
mr.bond

mr.bond

Well-Known Member
DiabloZoe said:
It does not matter kWh is 1000 watts per hr. You get billed for watts does not matter how many amps you pull the higher the voltage the more efficient it is. 120/6 amps 240/3 amps you still get billed the same!
Click to expand...
Watts is watts, sure... but when there is limited power to go around, the people who use more, pay more... they charge per kWh but the more kWh you use at any given time, bumps you into the next tier up. tiered pricing is very real and not just for big businesses. when your kWh rate can DOUBLE in one tier, you most definitely do not get billed the same, and thats a fact. if Edison is your utility co., you can pretty much count on being charged this way, at least anywhere in so. cal. or other areas of high power demand.

and to collective gardener, companies pulling large power doesnt always raise flags like you say. but it also sounds like you are in a business complex of sorts. it might be harder to pull off huge power bills from a residential area for instance.
 
collective gardener

collective gardener

Well-Known Member
mr.bond said:
Watts is watts, sure... but when there is limited power to go around, the people who use more, pay more... they charge per kWh but the more kWh you use at any given time, bumps you into the next tier up. tiered pricing is very real and not just for big businesses. when your kWh rate can DOUBLE in one tier, you most definitely do not get billed the same, and thats a fact. if Edison is your utility co., you can pretty much count on being charged this way, at least anywhere in so. cal. or other areas of high power demand.

and to collective gardener, companies pulling large power doesnt always raise flags like you say. but it also sounds like you are in a business complex of sorts. it might be harder to pull off huge power bills from a residential area for instance.
Click to expand...
Of course you can only pull so much at a residence. I usually figure around 1 light plus one light per bedroom is real safe. A three bedroom house could then use 4k. The only reason to grow in a warehouse is the power issue. I would much prefer to grow at home. Just don't get too paranoid, folks. If the cops are going to find out, it will be because someone calls them and tells them about you. It won't be from some super brain storming detective work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top