VHO Wattages

Siffy · 07/22/2007, 12:10 AM

Anyone out there got a Kill a Watt and don't mind throwing it on their actinics for a couple minutes or an hour? I ask because this happened to both me and a friend setting up a new tank. We had the kill a watt out checking some pumps and his new electronic blueline MH ballast and I decided to put it on the VHOs. Well, instead of the ~220 watt reading I was expecting out of 2 48" bulbs on an ARO AS-220 ballast it came out awfully low. Around 80watts iirc.

Today I put the meter on my own actinics (2 24" VHO on the same ARO AS-220 ballast) which I expected to read about 150 watts. The reading was 51-52 watts, few higher VA, and a PF of .98.

Why the extremely low usage? The wiring is correct and the lights are putting out a significant amount of light. I'm just wondering if/why they're being underdriven and will that shorten the life of the bulb? After a few readings, I'll be writing an e-mail to Hello Lights to see what they say/recommend.

Please tell size bulb, wattage reading, and ballast if you don't mind checking. And if anyone is running 10,000K VHOs that reading would be appreciated as well.

TIA,
Will

Siffy · 07/22/2007, 04:33 PM

Bump. Please, I'd like some additional experiences about this.

AZDesertRat · 07/22/2007, 04:37 PM

I found the same thing. I have 2x140w VHOs and it read less than 200 watts for both.

Siffy · 07/22/2007, 05:50 PM

What ballast are you running them on?

AZDesertRat · 07/22/2007, 06:25 PM

Coralvue E ballast.

07/22/2007, 12:10 AM	#1
Siffy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,047	VHO Wattages Anyone out there got a Kill a Watt and don't mind throwing it on their actinics for a couple minutes or an hour? I ask because this happened to both me and a friend setting up a new tank. We had the kill a watt out checking some pumps and his new electronic blueline MH ballast and I decided to put it on the VHOs. Well, instead of the ~220 watt reading I was expecting out of 2 48" bulbs on an ARO AS-220 ballast it came out awfully low. Around 80watts iirc. Today I put the meter on my own actinics (2 24" VHO on the same ARO AS-220 ballast) which I expected to read about 150 watts. The reading was 51-52 watts, few higher VA, and a PF of .98. Why the extremely low usage? The wiring is correct and the lights are putting out a significant amount of light. I'm just wondering if/why they're being underdriven and will that shorten the life of the bulb? After a few readings, I'll be writing an e-mail to Hello Lights to see what they say/recommend. Please tell size bulb, wattage reading, and ballast if you don't mind checking. And if anyone is running 10,000K VHOs that reading would be appreciated as well. TIA, Will __________________ "When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True Story." Current Tank Info: 29g Mixed Reef with Metal Halide

07/22/2007, 04:33 PM	#2
Siffy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,047	Bump. Please, I'd like some additional experiences about this. __________________ "When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True Story." Current Tank Info: 29g Mixed Reef with Metal Halide

07/22/2007, 05:50 PM	#4
Siffy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,047	What ballast are you running them on? __________________ "When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True Story." Current Tank Info: 29g Mixed Reef with Metal Halide

07/22/2007, 04:37 PM	#3
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I found the same thing. I have 2x140w VHOs and it read less than 200 watts for both.

07/22/2007, 06:25 PM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Coralvue E ballast.