Kill-a-watt $14.99

[Reefugee]

I know there has been discussion regarding the Kill-a-watt device. Newegg currently have them on sale for $14.99 + tax + shipping (about $5)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882715001

At checkout, enter the code EMCACCBCF for an addition $3 off.

 

[Reefugee]

BTW - there's no advantage on doing a group buy. The code can only be used once per order.

 

[P.Kelly]

Score! Thanks Minh, just the motivation I needed to order one.

Ended up being $21.07 delivered.

 

[danorth]

Can someone list examples of why a person would need one? That is a good price for one shipped, just not sure if a need will arise.

 

[P.Kelly]

If you want to know how much electricity a given piece of equipment actually uses.

 

[danorth]

I guess you could check to make sure you aren't overloading a circuit or straining a pump past its listed wattage draw.

Otherwise, I don't want to know how much $$$ it is costing! I already know the answer..........plenty!

 

[P.Kelly]

I want to confirm that throttling back a mag drive style pump using a valve actually reduces the electricity usage.

 

[Reefugee]

So did throttling back the mag reduce the electricity usage?

 

[jtarmitage]

It may also point to problems with equipment, such as leaking current that trips GFCI's!

 

[bored4long]

Wow, that is an awesome price! Thanks, Minh for the heads up. I got mine for $30. I highly recommend one of these for every reefer.

Does MARS own one of these? I would consider this a must have device that the club should own to lend to members!

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11906246#post11906246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee
So did throttling back the mag reduce the electricity usage?

Dunno, I'll tell you when mine arrives and I can test it out.

 

[danorth]

Isn't that hard on the pump as well (if by throttling back you mean with a ball valve or other restrictor)?

 

[Sheldon337]

I would think using a ball valve would increase the usage or at least the heat dissapated from the pump.

 

[jtarmitage]

As I've heard from others as well as from several manufacturers, using a valve to restrict the flow on the output side actually lowers energy usage, which is contrary to what you would expect to happen. Not sure on the mechanics of it, but it seems that as the impeller moves slower, it uses less electicity.

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11906960#post11906960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtarmitage
As I've heard from others as well as from several manufacturers, using a valve to restrict the flow on the output side actually lowers energy usage, which is contrary to what you would expect to happen. Not sure on the mechanics of it, but it seems that as the impeller moves slower, it uses less electicity.

I've heard the same, so I'll test and let everyone know. I've always thought, "buy bigger" and throttle down, but couldn't prove it.

Since the pumps I'm talking about are mag drives, I wonder what, if anything, increased resistance to flow could damage? It isn't a direct drive, nor is it a fluid drive system.

 

[jtarmitage]

The problem is that they are water cooled, so if you tried restricting the input, they would overheat, as well as run alot rougher as they cavitate and damage the impeller and magnet. Restricting the output doesn't cause those problems, just increases the head pressure.

 

[GreshamH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11906313#post11906313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtarmitage
It may also point to problems with equipment, such as leaking current that trips GFCI's!

You can also monitor devices like your refrigerator and washer/dryer by checking the amperage pull against the rating on the unit. Having been a appliance repair man for a spell it's one of the first things we checked. Well I wasn't a full "appliance" guy, I did contract work for Dynacorp (Halliburten type company) on local military bases checking up on furnaces and washer/dryers. We did some refrigerator work, but not much.

 

[jtarmitage]

Hey Gresham, what exactly do you do now? I see marine farmer, and everyone seems to know you, but being relatively new to the world of reef clubs, I can only guess.

 

[D&KSac]

hey Pete i thought you werent suppose to restrict the flow of mag drive pumps cuz it could lead to over heating and lower the life of the pump. I know i can with my reeflo on my closed loop but its external and air cooled.

 

[wpnorton]

Kill a watt

Kill a watt

Ordered mine...$25 shipped. the $3 discount didn't work, but I've always wanted to get one. Seemed like a good enough time. I eliminated all 4 of my Mag drive 9.5 pumps. Down to the Reeflo Dart and a Red Dragon 32 watt pump on the BK160 skimmer. I should be doing pretty good now. I wish I had the watt meter when I was running all those mag pumps for comparison. I know the electric bill went down about $75 a month afterwards.


Now if I can just get rid of those 250 Watt Metal Halides and the chiller!