calling all electricans

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by mike31154

3x250 is 750, which is less than half of what a 15 amp circuit is rated for (1800 max, 1200 continous I think). There may be a somewhat higher draw on start up but not necessarily, depends on your ballasts, bulbs etc.

except a 250 watt MH normaly draws more like 400 watts. (mine were true HQI ballasts and ran at 456 watts) which is 1200 continuious, some electric do underdrive the bulbs, which is why electric ballasts generly have lower outputs than mag ballasts. on start up they can go in excess of 600 watts. so like I stated with staggered starts they will work, but better to have one on another circut. same with the pumps heaters ect.. anything that could kill your tank if you lose it.

Steve

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

except a 250 watt MH normaly draws more like 400 watts. (mine were true HQI ballasts and ran at 456 watts) which is 1200 continuious, some electric do underdrive the bulbs, which is why electric ballasts generly have lower outputs than mag ballasts. on start up they can go in excess of 600 watts. so like I stated with staggered starts they will work, but better to have one on another circut. same with the pumps heaters ect.. anything that could kill your tank if you lose it.

Steve

Gotcha and totally understand, that's why in my post I also said to grab a power monitor so that you can check/confirm what the draw of your particular set up is. As mentioned, mine draws less and I also mentioned that a different set up could draw more. The power monitors are less than 30 bucks depending on which one you buy and can be a very handy device to have around the house.

A 250 MH that draws 400? That seems a bit steep and sounds like an inefficient set up. Pre mature burnout etc..

[Skimmerking]

thanks for the advice and the Texts that I received. I really apreciate it

I went and from PM's and posts I bought a
65Ft of 14/2 on sale 30 bucks
1x normal plug $1.40
2 x boxes $2
1 x GFCi plug Free
hooking it up to my Main box and not killing my self

PRICELESS

[blacknife]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

hooking it up to my Main box and not killing my self

PRICELESS

set everything up.
get flashlight.
turn off main breaker.

terminate ends and connect making it all look nice and tidy like it should already look.

pray to whatever deity you prefer

re-energize

hopefully you got some of those little round things to put where the wire goes in the box. that screw down and hold the wire in instead of letting it rub on the sharp sides of the breaker box. hah i can't find mine right now and have 3 circuits waiting to pull in i guess i should go buy some.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by mike31154

A 250 MH that draws 400? That seems a bit steep and sounds like an inefficient set up. Pre mature burnout etc..

nope, its called a proper true M80 ballast, and the same Bulb run off that will out preform a electronic ballast by far as they are actualy being run properly with the right combanation of amprage and voltage. Some electronics come close close but most are under driving the bulb. and for what its worth I got longer bulb life off my M80 than I did off the electronic also.

Steve