Anyone use an amp meter on a 150w econolight?

HowardWCampbell

HowardWCampbell

New Member
I just turned my new econolight 150w hps into a remote ballast, and I noticed a sticker on the light saying it draws 3.2 amps @ 120v. By my math that's 384 watts!?!?!?

Can anyone with an amp meter verify that amp draw? It seems real high to me. If it really is drawing that many ampsI'll need to scrap my plan to put a second light in my cabinet.
 
calical209

calical209

Active Member
That would not be correct...The start up of your light is about 3.2 and when in it is running more then 25 to 45 min it might pull 1.25 amps which is normal! remember when you start something up, it takes more power. each 100 watts is close to about 1.01 amps...
 
P

Phinxter

Well-Known Member
im going to say that the 3.2 amps is at startup only ie: max amperage. and that once the lamp fires it will drop back to 1.3 / 1.4 amps or so
 
HowardWCampbell

HowardWCampbell

New Member
Thanks for the quick replies, that makes me feel a lot better. I was afraid that a high amp draw was the "catch" to getting a hps for only $20. Your answers make a lot of sense.
 
BigBudBalls

BigBudBalls

Well-Known Member
Odd. Tossed a kill-a-watt on a 150W and saw the draw increase as it warmed up. Then leveled out at rated watts, plus 10% for the ballast. (kinda shows the warm start of a HPS)
 
HowardWCampbell

HowardWCampbell

New Member
BigBudBalls said:
Odd. Tossed a kill-a-watt on a 150W and saw the draw increase as it warmed up. Then leveled out at rated watts, plus 10% for the ballast. (kinda shows the warm start of a HPS)
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The killawatt was what I was picturing in my mind as I posted this. I guess all that advertising does work. +rep for reading my mind. I'm taking that to mean it draws about 165w once it's heated up? I think that's right in line with most hps lights.

I hooked my econolight up today and it's great. I can hold my hand about 1" from the bulb without burning but it's like looking into the sun. I made it a remote ballast so I imagine that helps some. I think I'll get a second one and just stagger the "on" times by about 15 minutes to avoid overloading my circuit.

Thanks everybody.
 
BigBudBalls

BigBudBalls

Well-Known Member
HowardWCampbell said:
The killawatt was what I was picturing in my mind as I posted this. I guess all that advertising does work. +rep for reading my mind. I'm taking that to mean it draws about 165w once it's heated up? I think that's right in line with most hps lights.

I hooked my econolight up today and it's great. I can hold my hand about 1" from the bulb without burning but it's like looking into the sun. I made it a remote ballast so I imagine that helps some. I think I'll get a second one and just stagger the "on" times by about 15 minutes to avoid overloading my circuit.

Thanks everybody.
Click to expand...
You shouldn't need to stagger them. They have that soft start, no spike.
 
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