Aqua Ultraviolet misleading UV draw

[jlee]

Hey all,
I'm in the market for a UV sterilizer and found one that fits my needs nicely but I have noticed many comments here and on BRS that mention a disparity in the wattage drawn specifically for this brand of UV light of all sizes.
Is anyone able to provide any explanation other than AU is fudging their numbers? If it can't be explained I'll find another brand to buy from.

If you do have a light from AU would you mind posting your wattage draw as seen in Apex? That would be super helpful

Here's a couple threads describing similar experiences:

UV sterilizer actual vs stated watt draw - Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt

I just purchased and installed an Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt compact UV sterilizer and installed it a couple of hours ago. Despite the 57 watt rating it is only drawing 42 watts. That is a big big delta. 55 would be fine. 50 would raise an eyebrow, but 42 is 26% less. Is mine unusual? Do I need...

www.reef2reef.com

UV Sterilizer Question

I have a 57w Aqua UV brand sterilizer that is plugged into my Apex and reading only 22w on the eb832. I validated electricity draw with a kill-a-watt as well. Is this normal? Shouldn't it be drawing much closer to 57w? The unit, ballast, and bulb all say 57w and the bulb is brand new, just...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[jlee]

bump

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Hey all,
I'm in the market for a UV sterilizer and found one that fits my needs nicely but I have noticed many comments here and on BRS that mention a disparity in the wattage drawn specifically for this brand of UV light of all sizes.
Is anyone able to provide any explanation other than AU is fudging their numbers? If it can't be explained I'll find another brand to buy from.

If you do have a light from AU would you mind posting your wattage draw as seen in Apex? That would be super helpful

Here's a couple threads describing similar experiences:

UV sterilizer actual vs stated watt draw - Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt

I just purchased and installed an Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt compact UV sterilizer and installed it a couple of hours ago. Despite the 57 watt rating it is only drawing 42 watts. That is a big big delta. 55 would be fine. 50 would raise an eyebrow, but 42 is 26% less. Is mine unusual? Do I need...

www.reef2reef.com

UV Sterilizer Question

I have a 57w Aqua UV brand sterilizer that is plugged into my Apex and reading only 22w on the eb832. I validated electricity draw with a kill-a-watt as well. Is this normal? Shouldn't it be drawing much closer to 57w? The unit, ballast, and bulb all say 57w and the bulb is brand new, just...

www.reef2reef.com

Check out the TMC units from American Aquarium in Oregon. Tropic Marine Centre makes a great product.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

UV Lamps are a Type of Fluorescent Light. Fluorescent Lights have a beginning break in time, and they will all draw less wattage during the break in and produce less light. The exception to this is Overdriving Power Compacts. Also all Fluorescent Lights have falling off period, during this time, they produce less light and more heat. Hopefully in the Near Future they will come out with a LED UV Fixture. As I understand it, there is a problem with Multiple UV LED Individual Lamps, burning each other.

 

[Merv49]

Hey all,
I'm in the market for a UV sterilizer and found one that fits my needs nicely but I have noticed many comments here and on BRS that mention a disparity in the wattage drawn specifically for this brand of UV light of all sizes.
Is anyone able to provide any explanation other than AU is fudging their numbers? If it can't be explained I'll find another brand to buy from.

If you do have a light from AU would you mind posting your wattage draw as seen in Apex? That would be super helpful

Here's a couple threads describing similar experiences:

UV sterilizer actual vs stated watt draw - Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt

I just purchased and installed an Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt compact UV sterilizer and installed it a couple of hours ago. Despite the 57 watt rating it is only drawing 42 watts. That is a big big delta. 55 would be fine. 50 would raise an eyebrow, but 42 is 26% less. Is mine unusual? Do I need...

www.reef2reef.com

UV Sterilizer Question

I have a 57w Aqua UV brand sterilizer that is plugged into my Apex and reading only 22w on the eb832. I validated electricity draw with a kill-a-watt as well. Is this normal? Shouldn't it be drawing much closer to 57w? The unit, ballast, and bulb all say 57w and the bulb is brand new, just...

www.reef2reef.com

I would surely not buy the Aqua UV I have one and the 57 watt bulb only puts out 30 watts. Not good at all.

 

[Merv49]

Hey all,
I'm in the market for a UV sterilizer and found one that fits my needs nicely but I have noticed many comments here and on BRS that mention a disparity in the wattage drawn specifically for this brand of UV light of all sizes.
Is anyone able to provide any explanation other than AU is fudging their numbers? If it can't be explained I'll find another brand to buy from.

If you do have a light from AU would you mind posting your wattage draw as seen in Apex? That would be super helpful

Here's a couple threads describing similar experiences:

UV sterilizer actual vs stated watt draw - Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt

I just purchased and installed an Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt compact UV sterilizer and installed it a couple of hours ago. Despite the 57 watt rating it is only drawing 42 watts. That is a big big delta. 55 would be fine. 50 would raise an eyebrow, but 42 is 26% less. Is mine unusual? Do I need...

www.reef2reef.com

UV Sterilizer Question

I have a 57w Aqua UV brand sterilizer that is plugged into my Apex and reading only 22w on the eb832. I validated electricity draw with a kill-a-watt as well. Is this normal? Shouldn't it be drawing much closer to 57w? The unit, ballast, and bulb all say 57w and the bulb is brand new, just...

www.reef2reef.com

I had six bulbs that tested 30 to 48 watts. Most in the 30’s.

 

[AJsReef]

I own a Pentair 80w HO, it pulls 96w at my Energy Bar

 

[Merv49]

Hey all,
I'm in the market for a UV sterilizer and found one that fits my needs nicely but I have noticed many comments here and on BRS that mention a disparity in the wattage drawn specifically for this brand of UV light of all sizes.
Is anyone able to provide any explanation other than AU is fudging their numbers? If it can't be explained I'll find another brand to buy from.

If you do have a light from AU would you mind posting your wattage draw as seen in Apex? That would be super helpful

Here's a couple threads describing similar experiences:

UV sterilizer actual vs stated watt draw - Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt

I just purchased and installed an Aqua Ultraviolet 57 watt compact UV sterilizer and installed it a couple of hours ago. Despite the 57 watt rating it is only drawing 42 watts. That is a big big delta. 55 would be fine. 50 would raise an eyebrow, but 42 is 26% less. Is mine unusual? Do I need...

www.reef2reef.com

UV Sterilizer Question

I have a 57w Aqua UV brand sterilizer that is plugged into my Apex and reading only 22w on the eb832. I validated electricity draw with a kill-a-watt as well. Is this normal? Shouldn't it be drawing much closer to 57w? The unit, ballast, and bulb all say 57w and the bulb is brand new, just...

www.reef2reef.com

My Pentair UV 40 watt runs at 42 watts constant. I’m thinking if wattage didn’t matter we could all just be happy that the light comes on and the different prices for higher watts means nothing.

 

[Merv49]

UV Lamps are a Type of Fluorescent Light. Fluorescent Lights have a beginning break in time, and they will all draw less wattage during the break in and produce less light. The exception to this is Overdriving Power Compacts. Also all Fluorescent Lights have falling off period, during this time, they produce less light and more heat. Hopefully in the Near Future they will come out with a LED UV Fixture. As I understand it, there is a problem with Multiple UV LED Individual Lamps, burning each other.

I had the Aqua plugged in for days and saw no such break in. Started low and stayed low.