energy efficiency of 6000 vs 6100

[-Keith-]

I know these are somewhat detail-oriented questions, but I hope you can help.

Why is the energy efficiency (flow / power) at maxium flow is less for the 6100 (12,000 LPH / 45 W) than the 6000 (7,000 LPH / 15 W)?

When the 6100 is run at a lower output, does it efficiency increase to a value similar to the 6000? For example, if it was run at ~60% flow (~7000 LPH), would its consumption be ~27W (60% of 45W) or ~15W (the consumption of a 6000 at 7,000 LPH) or something else?

Thanks.


-Keith-

 

[rvitko]

This article should answer your question.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-09/nftt/index.php

Please note that a 6100 is the same as a 7400/2 in it's actual electric consumption and overall construction. the 6000 is equal to a 7200/2. Consider the energy efficiencies quoted for those pumps and note they are about equal. Energy efficiency can be calculated as a coeffiecient by multiplying lph * head in meters/ watts. The missing factor is the pressure of the flow. The head pressure of Streams is virtually impossible to calculate so it could not be used in the calculations and this makes the calculations in accurate. However, it is notable that the 6000 flow covers 4ft and the 6100 7ft. The actual increase in waste energy while existant is negligible and most of it is occuring in the transformer and driver not in the aquarium.

 

[rvitko]

As for the second part of your question a 6000 uses from 7-15W depending on flow setting, a 6100 uses from about 12-45W.

 

[-Keith-]

Thanks for the link.

If I understand your response, the efficiencies of the actual pumps are pretty similar but the 6100 consumes more power because of losses in the transformer. Right?

Can you clarify what "covers" means when you write " the 6000 flow covers 4ft and the 6100 7ft."?

Thanks again,

-Keith-

 

[rvitko]

By covers I mean the reach of the flow- the 6100 has more force behind it.

The losses are in the transformer as well as the electronic controls.