Energy consumption.

[MedWestern]

Hello everyone I am new to this website and will introduce my self on the "Introduction" page when I get some time, however for now I have a question that I am sure has been discussed but I can not find anywhere due to my lack of navigability on websites... I right now run a 10 light 1000w system two of which have hood extension cordes. I have my ballasts out of the bloom room with the filtered cool air blowing strait on them so temp is not an issue, but I have been preached too by electronic/digital ballast companies at the expo that they will pay for them selves in a matter of months in the energy I will save against the magnetic. In Colorado they are implementing a surplus charge to anyone using more than a very low level (do not recall exact amount) of energy per month in an attempt to "motivate people to not use their air conditioning systems so much"... their words not mine, we all know exactly why they are extorting... em hem, enforcing this penalty charge. I am very interested in the concept of saving more energy but I am also wondering if it would not be more cost effective to invest in and run a diesel generator for power rather that sell my 10 xtrasuns for phantoms.

Please help, any real experience and advice would be appreciated!

 

[headiez247]

There is no way that running a diesel generator will cost less.

For a 10 light grow you should just stay with the ballasts you have. Of course digital ballast companies are going to preach you to get them. What else would they say.

Colorado has low electricity rates, just stay where ur at and be happy you aren't in cali where a 10 light grow + accessories + house will run you a $2500 bill per month.

 

[Iron_Lion]

It pisses me off to hear about the new rise of the electrical usage nazi's, they should be working on better, cleaner and cheaper ways to produce our electricity not just tell everyone keep buying it but use less and keep burning dirty ass coal.

I would say the best investment would be solar panels, but they are expensive and will take some time to pay for themselves but atleast you wont have anyone nosing in on how much electricity you are using.

Digital ballasts might save you a few dollars a month combined because of their improve efficiency but on the flip side most digi ballasts have "super lumens" features and you know you'd probly want to use it, so that would eat up the savings. One thing to look at with digi's is they generate less heat so that means less energy to cool them.

 

[sm0k4]

Haha, there isn't much money savings in a few months by switching to digital ballasts. The only power savings is in the ballast. The bulb doesn't magically take less power to run, only the ballast is more efficient so you gain a TINY bit of power savings there, nothing major and not worth switching out 10 magnetics.

You already have long lasting durable ballasts, why switch to a digital that can go down at any time due to the digital circuitry involved?

The people were only selling you bullshit like any dirty salesman would.

 

[MedWestern]

good deal guys, thank you... was my assumption, but I love making decisions off of others experience thrown into the mix because its an expensive long road doing it on your own 100%

 

[guyyug]

A good diesel gen will end up costing ~$.10/kwh, (not counting the rising cost of gas :-0 ) It probably won't save you a bunch of money, but it does hide you from the electric company, but it does introduce you to the fuel company... It is a PITA to haul diesel to your gen unless you get it delivered, but then, what is the reason why you use so much? They do have some slick diesel units now though, whisper quiet and efficient. There is a good thread here somewhere on diesel gens if you were really interested in them