Safe Power Usage for a one bedroom

[skylined]

Hey all,
I am living alone (I just got a place for myself) and I will be setting up next month (June). I would like to know how many lights I can safely run without raising suspicion (I don't care how much the electric bill COSTS I'm just concerned about the pigs noticing). Also, I will always be running half on, half off so there is no 12 hour power spike. This means constant power usage which I believe is significantly safer. What amount of power is it safe to draw?

A few other random questions I've been wondering about:
What is the difference between a 400W and a 430 W HPS (why would they make a new model with only 30 extra watts??).

I also heard of some new digital ballasts the came out in the last few months that allow two lights to be run off one ballast for the energy cost of only one of the lights (i.e. two 600 watt lights / bulbs off one ballast, only costing 600 watts total). I'm wondering if this true or simply moonshine.

Thanks all.

Peace,
~Skylined

 

[Guest]

Is LEO your roomate lol?Thats about the only way I know of that he's going to find out about your electrical usage.My utility has no little bespeckled man who's job it is to investigate excess electrical usage,if I sound like an ass its probably because I am lol.Its just that this gets repeated year after year and it bums me out that people may shortchanging themselves out of unnecessary fear.I've run 3K in my 8 by 8 flower room and 1800K plus flo's in my veg closet for over 5 years now,its a tiny house and I'm a tiny dude lol.I live alone,don't be afeared just go for it.Two rules is all you have to follow when it comes to electrical,no theft and the bill gets paid in full the day after it arrives.I live in Fla too man,nice cheap electricity but rather gnarly cultivation laws lol!

 

[mendo-local]

if your really concerned with electricity they say 1000W per bedroom. thats what ive seen posted before.

 

[bergerbuddy]

You should be able to run six 1000's at 12/12 or equivalant....

If LEO LOOKS at the records they will be high... HOWEVER not high enuff that the POWER COMPANY will question it.... Just stay off LEO's radar and your fine!

Much more than this and u run the risk of the POWER COMPANY questioning your usage

If your asked by the power company how many are in your household tell them 4.... you have 3 children..

BECAREFUL to MINIMIZE YOUR USAGE in the house!!

Good Luck & Safe Growing

Peace
BB

 

[Guest]

If asked by the power company how large my family is first I'd inquire as to why they want the information,then I'd tell them its none of their business.Of course,I have the sense to know thats an impossibly unlikely scenario.Again dont steal pay bill promply be smart and grow.If you live in a residence there are unlimited reasons for high resi use from hot tubs to welders and kilns.Do you think the people running these devices give the power company or LEO a second thought?There are too many autentic concerns to be aware of.You folks could use google to set your mind at ease.Google up your utilities customer privacy policies,cultivation arrests in your area etc.

 

[VanGrow]

What is the difference between a 400W and a 430 W HPS (why would they make a new model with only 30 extra watts??)

ahhh...............the 430 Bulb goes in to the 400 hood and ballast

 

[cdc]

yea ive always been worried about power ...anyone know the lowest someone has been caught for?

 

[Guest]

I imagine there are plenty of 150W growers that get popped while the 5K grower down the street doesn't,and it has nothing to do with power usage...

 

[Guest]

I did this years ago,tell me if anythings changed.Google cannabis cultivation arrests due to electrical use and you'll find the only people being busted are thieves,serves them right

 

[crazyhorse]

Taking care of that kinda of worry will only make you more paranoid, maybe you should reconsider your hobby, I run my op like it's part of my daily routine, I dont worry or take extra care of a 50 dollar hike in my bill, Like what was said before pay the bill righth away and dont do any shit wiring with your lights. They will be able to tell what burned your house down, lol Good luck dude,

 

[crazyhorse]

If kinda funny the way things appear when your "Give a fuck" button quits working. But that doesnt mean do stupid shit.

 

[skylined]

Hey,
Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm a naturally paranoid person and so I think I will probably be safe. I figured as long as I paid the bill on time I'd be all right. I should therefore have no problem running two 600s concurrently or even 3 if I decide to upgrade the setup in the future (although then I'd need some real heavy duty cooling systems wouldn't I?) Thanks for your replies everyone, I actually feel a lot better (I've never run a setup nearly that size before). The ***** people are certain that the second you plug in more than one light half the LEOs in the country will show up at your door but I honestly didn't buy that. I still wasn't certain though. You have my thanks for giving me some peace of mind. Happy growing everyone.

Peace,
~Skylined

 

[cobain420]

Worry about LEO.

If LEO has no reason to take interest in you, then they won't have any interest in your electric usage.

Keep out of trouble.

Pay your bill on time.

And you will be fine.

 

[bartender187]

2x600's wont even raise an eyebrow... I woudlnt worry about electiricy till you get over the 2k amount. my .02

 

[randude]

Just keep your image clean. No loud music in the front yard while washing the car, do not beat up your lady friends in your driveway in broad daylight,.. Here is one, put on a suit on sunday mornings and make a big show of going into your car and back so the neighbors think you are a bible thumper. Then when the power usage comes up they will just figure you are watching porn on big screen TVs all the time.

 

[randude]

I am thinking of turning my third 400 watt'r now, as it is way too bushy in the flower room. Have many bud in July!

 

[Guest]

The more you treat your "hobby" like a business no matter how small it is,the smarter your daily decisions are going to be.An honest businessman doesn't steal,and always pays bills in full promptly.A good businessman when having to deal with others sticks to the business at hand.A businessman with class never brags to others about his fortunes and a smart businessman never discusses his business with those uninvolved.

 

[mig]

a while back, the cops busted this house that was a grow-op. the whole house...no one living in it, just some absurb amount of 1ks in there...but they had no idea it was goin on, it was a total mistake they found the operation. something stupid happened and a neighbor, i believe, called someone. i always think of that when i get sketched out. plus, i justify my actions by saying, hey atleasts its not bombs or guns, like some people. and, why would anyone waste their time to investigate me. There is so much other crazy shit goin down out there. it is a huge country, with lots of people and lots of shit goin down...just think of that when u get paranoid. Take a step back and look at the whole picture, your a small part of a big population...just blend in

 

[Guest]

Like anything you have to do risk assesment,and anything from your pregrow lifestyle to nosey neighbors may make it a real bad idea.Most of all you should really consider what it is you're risking and if you're willing to take that risk.I've been real lucky,but it hasn't been all luck either.And for god sake become knowledgeable about asset forfeiture laws concerning cultivation in your locale!You could be risking a lot more than jailtime..

 

[Guest]

I grow in an alcove, i.e. a hidden spot in house. Started with 150W, added a second 150W short time later.

I wouldn't hesitate to set up 3-4kw in one good sized bedroom, anywhere just about. It's all about the image you uphold for your neighbors. Talk to them. Don't look like a stoner or a loser. If that offends you, don't grow IMHO. If you have a problem with changing the way you look and act because "this is just the way I am" then I suggest you stick to something very, very small. No loud music, no loud people (preferably no people at all), no loud cars, take care of the lawn, make sure it looks nice, and make sure you look like you work at a bank and have the most frugal shopping habits in the world, and I bet dollars to donnies you get away with whatever you're doing.

But yeah.. 3-4k watts, where I am at, would be easy.