Post your Kill a watt numbers

[JohnK]

I thought this might make a good useful thread.

If you've got a "kill-a-watt" meter, what numbers are you getting on what devices?



Here's what I got on my main equipment;

Kill a watt numbers

Orca 200/dart gold 95 w .99 amp
Dart gold with air cut off 183W 1.15 amp

Iwaki MD 70 270W 2.37 amp
Iwaki MD 20rt 40W .35 amp

Ca reactor/Ehiem 1250 17W .32 amp

250W MH M80 (#1) 300W 3.94 amp
250W MH M80 (#2) 290W 4.81 amp

ARO ballast 2x110W VHO 146W 1.96 amp

2x24W T5 Giseman Retrofit 56W .5 amp
4x24W Hellolights T5 cheapo 68W .61 amp

 

[mchud]

Dont want to scare myself.

 

[Reef55]

Icecap 250 w/ Radium SE bulb: 253 watts
Mak4 return pump: 80 watts
Sicce pump on ATI skimmer: 45 watts
Icecap 660 w/ 4 2' actinic bulbs: 140 watts
Tunze 6000 pump: 12 watts
1/3 hp inline chiller: 390 watts


Took it a step further...
these are actual to the minute counting how often each device in my tank is on... averaging to a daily average to get my tank's actual cost... still needs some work, but here's the general idea:

http://ac3.mspreef.com/average_per_day_with_cost4.php

 

[Aquadiva]

Took it a step further...
these are actual to the minute counting how often each device in my tank is on... averaging to a daily average to get my tank's actual cost... still needs some work, but here's the general idea:

http://ac3.mspreef.com/average_per_day_with_cost4.php

OK, that's pretty slick. I don't want to know what mine is.

 

[reefsmurf]

Icecap 250 w/ Radium SE bulb: 253 watts
Mak4 return pump: 80 watts
Sicce pump on ATI skimmer: 45 watts
Icecap 660 w/ 4 2' actinic bulbs: 140 watts
Tunze 6000 pump: 12 watts
1/3 hp inline chiller: 390 watts


Took it a step further...
these are actual to the minute counting how often each device in my tank is on... averaging to a daily average to get my tank's actual cost... still needs some work, but here's the general idea:

http://ac3.mspreef.com/average_per_day_with_cost4.php

Very cool. How are you pulling those readings for every piece of equipment?

 

[Reef55]

Very cool. How are you pulling those readings for every piece of equipment?

Takes a couple things...

1) Kill-a-watt to get actual watt draw
2) Neptune Aquacontroller (networked version required.. so 3 or 3pro)
3) Sign up for a free signature generator at (mine is titled Mark and Sara's 125 gallon reef):
http://www.reefchat.org/Extras/SignatureGenerator/tabid/259/Default.aspx
This gives you an xml file updated every minute in addition to the signature block (and graphs of your data) for freeness
3) database (I am using mysql which was available through my web hosting company for free)
4) small script that I hacked together for copying the data from the xml file to the database
5) a web hosting company that allows php files (notice the extension of the page I linked.. .php)
6) the php file I wrote (and still tweaking)


Sounds complicated, but really isn't all that bad Since it is logging, I'll be able to look back historically and get actual numbers by day / week / month etc, to see how things pan out over time... for better or worse!

 

[pvh]

Takes a couple things...

1) Kill-a-watt to get actual watt draw
2) Neptune Aquacontroller (networked version required.. so 3 or 3pro)
3) Sign up for a free signature generator at (mine is titled Mark and Sara's 125 gallon reef):
http://www.reefchat.org/Extras/SignatureGenerator/tabid/259/Default.aspx
This gives you an xml file updated every minute in addition to the signature block (and graphs of your data) for freeness
3) database (I am using mysql which was available through my web hosting company for free)
4) small script that I hacked together for copying the data from the xml file to the database
5) a web hosting company that allows php files (notice the extension of the page I linked.. .php)
6) the php file I wrote (and still tweaking)


Sounds complicated, but really isn't all that bad Since it is logging, I'll be able to look back historically and get actual numbers by day / week / month etc, to see how things pan out over time... for better or worse!

Great program Mark!

 

[guyduquette]

Hey Jimmy,

I know you have the Reeflo skimmer with the Dart Gold and I see your reading 95 watts on that. Mine has been around 105 watts since the beginning. Everyone else that has em' runs at 95 watts too.

I don't care all that much because the thing works like a champ!!! Just curious if you knew why perhaps.

Also, did you ever figure out how to feed it off the drain? Mine is run off my Dart return pump.

Thanks

 

[guyduquette]

Sorry - I meant to say the Reeflo ORCA pump!

 

[JohnK]

Hey Jimmy,

I know you have the Reeflo skimmer with the Dart Gold and I see your reading 95 watts on that. Mine has been around 105 watts since the beginning. Everyone else that has em' runs at 95 watts too.

I don't care all that much because the thing works like a champ!!! Just curious if you knew why perhaps.

Also, did you ever figure out how to feed it off the drain? Mine is run off my Dart return pump.

Thanks

Your air intake is probably slightly restricted.

I put a larger diameter and stiffer walled tube on mine insted of the one it came with. Also try flushing the air valve out with water or vinegar. Any slight restriction will reduce the air pull and increase the watt draw.

 

[ReferReefer]

Kill-a-Watt #'s

30 Gallon Fresh (96w PC, HOBx2 filtration, MJ 1200 mod PW w/ CO2 + Milwalkee + solenoid setup)
Runtime 42.58 Hours
Usage 7.42 Kilowatt Hours
Hours per Day 24
Kilowatt Hours/Day 4.18
Cost per Day $0.71 Using Cost/KwHr
Cost per Month $21.47 Using Avg Day/Month


110 Gallon Fresh (248w PC, Eheim 2028, 300x2 watt eheim)
Runtime 24.00 Hours
Usage 8.86 Kilowatt Hours
Hours per Day 24
Kilowatt Hours/Day 8.86
Cost per Day $1.50 Using Cost/KwHr
Cost per Month $45.49 Using Avg Day/Month


75 Gallon Reef (250x2 MH, 96x2 Actinic, 3xKoralia3, Mag5 return)
Runtime 24.13 Hours
Usage 14.14 Kilowatt Hours
Hours per Day 24
Kilowatt Hours/Day 14.06
Cost per Day $2.38 Using Cost/KwHr
Cost per Month $72.21 Using Avg Day/Month

These costs are based off about a 0.17 charge per KwHr after all delivery charges are factored in.

Regards,
Lee

 

[ReferReefer]

ran the Killawatt over a 24 hour period in order to accurately judge power cycles on lights/pumps then extrapolated out over a year avg of 30.4 days per month.

Not a concern for most of you salt people, but water creation for the 110 and 30 gallon are next on the list... that and the TV's/monitors/computers!

I'm loving this thing, its like some sort of sadistic tool to remind me how much money we spend on these little fishies...

Regards,
Lee

 

[Gardiner]

Mark, any chance you will release your source code? It will save me alot of time.

I got my sig working. Now just looking to pull the XML. Thanks!

 

[JayM]

I thought this might make a good useful thread.

If you've got a "kill-a-watt" meter, what numbers are you getting on what devices?



Here's what I got on my main equipment;

Kill a watt numbers

Orca 200/dart gold 95 w .99 amp
Dart gold with air cut off 183W 1.15 amp

Iwaki MD 70 270W 2.37 amp
Iwaki MD 20rt 40W .35 amp

Ca reactor/Ehiem 1250 17W .32 amp

250W MH M80 (#1) 300W 3.94 amp
250W MH M80 (#2) 290W 4.81 amp

ARO ballast 2x110W VHO 146W 1.96 amp

2x24W T5 Giseman Retrofit 56W .5 amp
4x24W Hellolights T5 cheapo 68W .61 amp

John, would you update your kill-a-watt numbers for your 250w MH when you get those lumatech ballasts?

 

[JohnK]

Will do (with corresponding light meter numbers).

 

[stingman]

total of 12000kw

 

[Gardiner]

Thanks to Mark I got my live electric log up and running.

http://www.gardsreef.com/average_per_day.php

 

[JohnK]

John, would you update your kill-a-watt numbers for your 250w MH when you get those lumatech ballasts?

As requested;

With electronic/digital ballasts;
275W 270W, 2.62 amp

depth
at surface - 710 765
3" 480 560
6" 420 460
9" 360 420


With M80 magnetic ballasts;
290 W 4.81a 300 W, 3.94amp

depth
at surface - 550 615
3" 410 470
6" 340 370
9" 280 315



Conclusion;
Wow, I'm saving some electricity, AND the electronic ballasts really do put out more light. Cool

 

[ReeferMedic]

As requested;

With electronic/digital ballasts;
275W 270W, 2.62 amp

depth
at surface - 710 765
3" 480 560
6" 420 460
9" 360 420


With M80 magnetic ballasts;
290 W 4.81a 300 W, 3.94amp

depth
at surface - 550 615
3" 410 470
6" 340 370
9" 280 315



Conclusion;
Wow, I'm saving some electricity, AND the electronic ballasts really do put out more light. Cool

That's a significant drop from magnetic to electronic. You just gave me more justification to continue switching my tanks from magnetics to electronics.

 

[Joel A]

ok... here's a good question for this thread.

Does anyone have numbers like how much a year it would save you to run t5's for lighting instead of Metal halides? I know that's a vague question because it depends on ballasts, wattage, hours run per day... etc... but i'm just looking for a general idea.