How do I know if I'm using too much power?

M

Marteen

Member
i live in a basement an my lights seem like they are struggling. They are brand new, so I don't see that they have came with a problem. I'm running 2 LECs 315. Any advice would be awesome.
 
Not sure exactly what you are asking and why you are thinking the lights are struggling... each will dram less than 3 amps so both is 6. I run a couple of these off the same circuit with fans at times and have no issues. Might be best to better explain the problem and we can see if we can help... which maker? Sun? Phantom?
 
I got now, like I could get one turned on an the other wouldn't. But now I got them both to turn on. I guess I'm not really sure, but it works now an it's the sun. I plan on adding another. As well.
 
Anyway that I can hook my lights up to the washing machine plug in? Is there a converter, an I'm assuming I can get more juice out of that one?
 
Marteen said:
i live in a basement an my lights seem like they are struggling. They are brand new, so I don't see that they have came with a problem. I'm running 2 LECs 315. Any advice would be awesome.
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LEC ( the bulbs) have a break in period. check your manual.

took mine a few 12 hour days to hit, projected numbers 785 @ 18''

also, the ballast needs up to 30 minutes between strikes, if it should go off for some reason.
 
Marteen said:
Anyway that I can hook my lights up to the washing machine plug in? Is there a converter, an I'm assuming I can get more juice out of that one?
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check your box, don't use the kitchen, find the 30A for the washer/dryer, then use a fail-safe breaker from home-depot then run no more then 50ft of 12 gauge cord. keep it off the ground. then hook up to a super high load power strip, rated at 15 amps a side, also with its own breaker.
 
Welcome to RIU, and the wonderful world of cultivating the world's most misunderstood and feared medicines!!!

The only 'advice' I can give you or anyone is to read and learn and then apply what you have read and learned to your garden and you cannot fail. Anyways, remember the search tool is your friend...Lots of folks here willing to help a new farmer get up and growing. But at the end of the day your grow will be only as good as the knowledge and work you put into it.

It is always great to ask questions but do not take anyone's advice or opinions and follow blindly. And remember anyone may have a well-known member status…but that means they have posted and responded to many threads and does not always mean well-educated growerz. Do your own research, you will be much happier knowing you have done it for yourself and by yourself. The first buzz you get from your own budz...is by far the BEST high you will ever have!

Do a search using your current question as the keyword(s) and ZOOOM!! Like Wonka's Great Glass Elevator…off you go to tons of threads answering all your questions. Read all the Newbie Central stickies and learn…

Soaking up all that information and sifting through it, is going to take time. You will likely finish your first grow by then. Viola! grow complete and education well under way.

Marteen said:
i live in a basement an my lights seem like they are struggling. They are brand new, so I don't see that they have came with a problem. I'm running 2 LECs 315. Any advice would be awesome.
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Personally I have never used LEC lighting and I am not at all familiar with it's workings. @Mount seems to have provided a great answer though. For further questions regarding this light...you may want to take a look at the indoor grow forum...it has a sub-forum dedicated to LED and other light sources.
 
SoOLED said:
check your box, don't use the kitchen, find the 30A for the washer/dryer, then use a fail-safe breaker from home-depot then run no more then 50ft of 12 gauge cord. keep it off the ground. then hook up to a super high load power strip, rated at 15 amps a side, also with its own breaker.
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I don't have a box I live in a duplex, my landlord knows what I'm doing so I'm just trying to find a better way to get more power.
 
Marteen said:
An I can just grab an adaptor an I will be good? I already have a 15 amp power strip.
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you should be able to run 2 315's on a 120v 15 amp, not no ideal, I like to keep a 2-1 ratio amps to breaker. with the two LEC's you will be at about 6.4 amps, not counting all you fans and other stuff.
 
whitebb2727 said:
Why?

Its simple math. Add the amps you are running and make sure your not over 80% of a breaker.

You can't just add more power to the light. It draws what it draws.
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I thought that's what he was asking too, but he means he thinks the lights need more power to be full power brightness.
 
SoOLED said:
I thought that's what he was asking too, but he means he thinks the lights need more power to be full power brightness.
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Exactly.

You can't add more power to make it brighter. Putting it on a bigger breaker won't do anything.

On top of the break in any light will be brighter after it has run for a while and has come up to temp.
 
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