I have always been curious about how much my lights actually cost to operate

[jdoenumber2]

Probably dont wanna know.
http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4480-Electricity-Electronic/dp/B001U638PM/?tag=dealnewscom

 

[aww_419]

there is a link to a free calculator floating around RC. you input the type of device, wattage or voltage or amperage and hours of operation and its spits out the national average in usage charges.

 

[aww_419]

here it is

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

 

[superkat]

Probably dont wanna know.
http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4480-Electricity-Electronic/dp/B001U638PM/?tag=dealnewscom

my question is, J....how do you find these things? i mean, did you type P3 International P4480 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor with Electronic Graphic Timer into google?

 

[jdoenumber2]

Hehe..... I check a website for daily deals called http://dealnews.com/ and there it was. Ok going back to bed..

my question is, J....how do you find these things? i mean, did you type P3 International P4480 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor with Electronic Graphic Timer into google?

 

[GMaquarium]

you can pick up a kill-a-watt from home depot for around $25. Its a handy tool to have.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

The P3 model is probably overkill if all you want is the number.

For those who are insanely curious and like to tinker, the tweet-a-watt should make you happy:

http://www.ladyada.net/make/tweetawatt/

It's a hacked kill-a-watt with an XBee radio inside that will post power usage stats to a twitter account for you.

here it is

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

Of course that's only as accurate as the info you put in to it. if you're running a 250w MH and you enter 250w, you're not going to get an accurate number - you need to know the actual watts the device draws, which in most cases (for lighting at least) will be higher than the rated power.