Anyone know how many amps 9 150 hps without caps will draw and 2 250 hps with caps?
hps amps question
bwb_bowfishing
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Anyone know how many amps 9 150 hps without caps will draw and 2 250 hps with caps?
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250's come with caps and 2 will use about 600 watts[5 amps @ 120 volts]. Nine npf-no cap- 150's will use around 1620 watts[13.5 amps @ 120 volts].
My bad that was wrong info--it was for hpf-w/cap- hpf 150's.
{9] npf-no cap- 150's will use in the neighborhood of 3348 watts[29.9 amps @ 120 volts].
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Hey BWB, I'm not 100% sure how the caps would come into play, but your answer is going to vary based on how many volts you are using. If you are using a generator, then obviously you would have the ability to set custom voltage. You basically just divide your watts by your voltage and that will give you your amps for each of your lights.
Here is the math if you were using 120V power source:
150 watt hps / 120 volts = 1.25 amps per light x 9 lights = 11.25 amps
250 watt hps / 120 volts = 2.09 amps per light x 2 lights = 4.18
Total amps = 15.43 amps
Hope this helps.
Here is the math if you were using 120V power source:
150 watt hps / 120 volts = 1.25 amps per light x 9 lights = 11.25 amps
250 watt hps / 120 volts = 2.09 amps per light x 2 lights = 4.18
Total amps = 15.43 amps
Hope this helps.
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Hey OBG, didn't see your post when I replied, but I did notice our numbers were a bit different. How do the caps come into play in this instance regarding the calculations?
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Capacitors lower the total amperage draw. Your calculations are based on the listed wattage for the bulb. The ballast actually pull more wattage/amperage than whats listed.
A 150w HPS with capacitor pulls about 180w
A 250w HPS (comes with capacitor) pulls about 300w
A 400w HPS (comes with capactor) pulls about 475w
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Your method of calculation would be correct for an incandescent bulb but HID lighting requires some type of ballast arrangement to power/regulate the bulb. Unfortunately some power is lost by the ballast with the digitals being slightly more efficient but probably not 100% efficient as your numbers indicate. lol
Most 150 hps lights come with a reactor style ballast and no capacitor. You can add a 55uf cap inline to the same light and make it hpf which will use slightly less than half the current to operate.
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Excellent feedback! Thank you both.
But if the 9 150 hps didn't have caps, then wouldn't they be closer to 1350 watts rather than the 1620? I'm not the staff electrician, I just ran the question by him to get an answer for bwb, so my questions are strictly for learning purposes.
But if the 9 150 hps didn't have caps, then wouldn't they be closer to 1350 watts rather than the 1620? I'm not the staff electrician, I just ran the question by him to get an answer for bwb, so my questions are strictly for learning purposes.
unlike the folks plugging them into the walls we have to know exactly what these things pull since we have limited amps at our disposal
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That would be 100% efficiency which isn't going to happen with a ballast involved.
Thanks for catching my goof--I edited my previous post.
[9] npf 150 watt hps lights will use around 3348 watts[29.9 amps @ 120 volts]
[9] hpf-w/caps-150 watt hps lights will use around 1620 watts[13.5 amps @ 120 volts].
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Thanks guys I have to buy a new genny and wanted to make sure I go big enough!
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Your genny load for that set-up will be around 4200 watts[35 amps @ 120 volts] after the lights warm up-more at start up- so I would suggest a genny with a continuous rating of at least 5000 watts.
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Thanks!
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Good info, thanks everyone! We have a lot of discussions around here about exactly how you all are setting up your boats and configuring your electrical and stuff. We are trying to learn and get up to speed as fast as we can.
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Figure 180 watts[1.5 amps @ 120 volts] or slightly less for a hpf 150 watt hps light when warm--usually around 1.9-2.0 amps @ 120vac at start-up for reactor type ballasts. CWA ballasts usually start around 1.0 amps @ 120 vac.
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