Off the shelf retail store screw-in LED and CFL bulb comparisons

[Gantz]

Here's one for the guys that know their cabling and electrical stuff.

Should one be more careful not just about the watts but about the amps as well when it comes to wiring?

 

[noknees]

Here's one for the guys that know their cabling and electrical stuff.

Should one be more careful not just about the watts but about the amps as well when it comes to wiring?

...?

 

[Killkingkong]

Here's one for the guys that know their cabling and electrical stuff.

Should one be more careful not just about the watts but about the amps as well when it comes to wiring?

Yes, you should be careful of amp. If you draw more amps than the wire you're using can handle there's a possibility of the wire melting the rubber coating and starting a fire. Look at the plastic coating on the wire, it should have a amp rating. The thicker the metal/coating of the wire the more amps it can handle safely.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Awesome information everyone, I've found the information very useful. Greatly appreciated!!

 

[DunHav`nFun]

the first 15 watt bulb i tested pulled 26 volts.

OK......my old ass is confused now since I know that volts X amps = max allowable wattage per each circuit of which only 75% can only safely be used as in this example of 1 15 amp circuit x 120 volts = 1800 watts max wattage capacity for said circuit of which for safety and fire hazard sake only 1200 watts needs be used for preventive measures from electrical failure and fire hazard…..so.....

I got no clue about 1-15 watt bulb pullin 26 volts by itself ?......Maybe I`m missin somethin.....dunno…..anyways.....please explain your measurement of said 1 bulb since the reverse of said equation is also true as in watts divided by volts equals amperage of .58+/- or the equivalent of only 69.6 max watts available and 75% usage for safety brings it back to only 52.2 available watts per 120 volts.....regardless.....just tryin ta keep things straight so all will know what`s what.....

Peace.....DHF.....

 

[Cigarviper]

OK......my old ass is confused now since I know that volts X amps = max allowable wattage per each circuit of which only 75% can only safely be used as in this example of 1 15 amp circuit x 120 volts = 1800 watts max wattage capacity for said circuit of which for safety and fire hazard sake only 1200 watts needs be used for preventive measures from electrical failure and fire hazard…..so.....

I got no clue about 1-15 watt bulb pullin 26 volts by itself ?......Maybe I`m missin somethin.....dunno…..anyways.....please explain your measurement of said 1 bulb since the reverse of said equation is also true as in watts divided by volts equals amperage of .58+/- or the equivalent of only 69.6 max watts available and 75% usage for safety brings it back to only 52.2 available watts per 120 volts.....regardless.....just tryin ta keep things straight so all will know what`s what.....

Peace.....DHF.....

Indeed this is confusing and warrants explanation.

 

[man0os]

Sorry to cause confusion.
What I was supposed to say was, that I run 12 sils, 11 x 14 watts and 1 x 10 watts.
164 watts in total...

8 weeks in:

 

[Terpene]

Generally, 120w at 120v is 1 amp RMS. So realistically you can run about 1000w continuously (2/3rd max) on a standard 15amp line. Btw, if anyone IS running 1k of screw in LEDs, I want to see pics of that ish

 

[noknees]

please explain your measurement of said 1 bulb

i need a lot more sleep.

yikes

 

[HorseBadoritiz]

OK......my old ass is confused now since I know that volts X amps = max allowable wattage per each circuit of which only 75% can only safely be used as in this example of 1 15 amp circuit x 120 volts = 1800 watts max wattage capacity for said circuit of which for safety and fire hazard sake only 1200 watts needs be used for preventive measures from electrical failure and fire hazard…..so.....

I got no clue about 1-15 watt bulb pullin 26 volts by itself ?......Maybe I`m missin somethin.....dunno…..anyways.....please explain your measurement of said 1 bulb since the reverse of said equation is also true as in watts divided by volts equals amperage of .58+/- or the equivalent of only 69.6 max watts available and 75% usage for safety brings it back to only 52.2 available watts per 120 volts.....regardless.....just tryin ta keep things straight so all will know what`s what.....

Peace.....DHF.....

The new math, lol!


I'm pretty sure code is 80% of a rated circuit breaker... but 75% is safe!

 

[Hastings]

Generally, 120w at 120v is 1 amp RMS. So realistically you can run about 1000w continuously (2/3rd max) on a standard 15amp line. Btw, if anyone IS running 1k of screw in LEDs, I want to see pics of that ish

I just put together a 3rd 20-bulb fixture which I'll be throwing in my 5'X5' tent for flowering. That will bring me up to 840w, so I'm getting close to 1000w! It might be overkill... but it should be interesting.

Right now my 4 white widow crosses have officially been in veg mode since November 1st, and I plan on flipping New Years Day (unless they grow a lot faster than planned). I decided to see how much I can get from only 4 plants in the 5X5 because... well since weed is legal here now I wanted to see how it feels to stay within legal limits.

I'll post some pics once they look awesome (I hope). It's also my first organic grow, but I'm loving it so far. Great for the lazy person!

 

[repuk]

the first 15 watt bulb i tested pulled 26 volts.

Maybe he meant watts?

Should one be more careful not just about the watts but about the amps as well when it comes to wiring?

P = V * I

As voltage will be constant at 240VAC or 120VAC, amps will have direct relationship with watts. So the more watts, the more amps you'll be pulling.

Amps will be more relevant for those using 120VAC, as for the same given wattage, wiring will be passing double the amps vs 240VAC countries, so they'll need double the gauge.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

I've seen Kill a Watt Meters showing near 300w readings on a 150w HPS lamp. I have no doubts there are LED lamps drawing more wattage than they are 'stamped' and rated for.

 

[Terpene]

I just did some quick math and if you were running the same bulb density I do in flower with 15w bulbs, you could very effectively cover a 15’x10’ (4.5m x 3m) area on a 15 amp circuit

I’ll be looking for the 800w of screw in bulbs

 

[HorseBadoritiz]

I've seen Kill a Watt Meters showing near 300w readings on a 150w HPS lamp. I have no doubts there are LED lamps drawing more wattage than they are 'stamped' and rated for.

The 16W Crees that I've got read 18-19W... not too much more.

 

[repuk]

Wait for the SILs to be on a couple hours the first time, is not rare to pull more watts in the beggining.

As HorseBadoritiz said, LED/SILs usually pull really close to specs, rare to see them pulling more than say 10% extra power.

With quality SILs though, happens usually the contrary: they pull slightly less watts than expected; at least that's has been my experience.

HPS are an inductive load, they pull watts like crazy when starting, that's normal.

 

[man0os]

9 weeks in, chopping at 10.
164 w of sils.
Notill.

 

[Safe Gardener]

9 weeks in, chopping at 10.
164 w of sils.
Notill.

Looks good man. What are the dimensions of your cab?

 

[man0os]

Thank you,
It's approx. 3x3 feet or 90cm x 90cm.

 

[El Tigre]

9 weeks in, chopping at 10.
164 w of sils.
Notill.

Looks good! what is the total area of the grow?