Energy Bar 8 - Because I worry

[SATXBrian]

Ok, first some backgorund. I’m a worrier. I’ll fixate on something and grind and grind on it…I’m sure it’s a personality flaw.

So I was reading a post on the Neptune Systems forums about the PAR Monitoring Kit. Someone was asking about calibration and another person responded with an offhand comment about the Energy Bar 8 Amp reading not always being accurate and needing calibration. So that set me off down a path of worry. Amp load has always been a fear of mine when I decided to set up my 120 gallon. I do not have it on a dedicated circuit. It’s in our living room. So I spent a lot of time reading and trying to get the most energy efficient things that I could.

Last weekend I added a second Energy Bar 8 and a new ATI 48” 4x54watt T5 fixture (I was out of room on the first EB8).

I have not had an issue with the circuit breaker. Worst case has happened. TV, Sound bar, all aquarium lights and heater were on and I was running the vacuum cleaner. No Issues.

So, my question. Do these numbers appear right?

EB8 #1:

1 – DC Return Pump (JEBAO DC6000) (approx 40 watts)

2 – Kessil A360WE (ramps to 90% intenstity)

3 – Kessil A360WE (ramps to 90% intensity)

4 – Empty

5 – Reef Octopus SSS150 Skimmer (approx 18 watts)

6 – Heater (250W)

7 – EcoTech MP40W-QD

8 – Tuze Osmolator

This EB8, according to the AMP monitor is usually 1.2A to 1.7A without the heater. When the heater kicks on, it jumps to 3.4 for about 45mins to an hour when it heats back up to 77 (set on the Apex at 76.5 to 77).

EB8 #2:

1 – ATI Bulbs 2 and 4

2 – ATI Bulbs 1 and 3

3 - Empty

4 – Empty

5 - ATI Fan (set at 9V per the instructions)

6 – 8 – Empty

With 2 bulbs and Fan, it shows 0 amps (2 and 4 come on first). When the other 2 bulbs come on it jumps to 1 Amp and moves between .9 and 1.2.

I read in the manual about the TelNet option to “recalibrate” and it seems easy enough to do, but I thought a quick question here may get a response and thoughts.


Thanks, everyone!

Brian

 

[evolved]

All looks reasonable and sounds fine to me. I don't see anything in the list with a real high current draw.

If you've had all that on at once plus everything else on the same circuit and the breaker has never flipped, I especially wouldn't worry.

 

[evolved]

If you need more piece of mind, you can always browse through reeftronics.net and see how much amperage other people draw. Of course, you won't exactly know what equipment they're necessary running, but it might help ease your mind.

 

[Reefpro]

You can run up to 15 amps total in each eb8 ports 1-3 and 5-7 can each handle 5 amps max and 4 and 8 max is 10 amp. But remember rotal cannot exceed 15 amps per Eb8. My ATI draw much more. Like 2 amps each channel

 

[n2585722]

Your 250 watt heater draws a little more than 2 amps if that gives you an idea. Get a kill a watt meter if you are worried. They are fairly cheap and will give you your current draw, voltage and current. It will tell you usage over time.

 

[SATXBrian]

I agree about the heater, that was about what I expected, it's by far my biggest power draw. I think my first EB8 is pretty close, I was just figuring the 4 T5 bulbs would pull a little more.

I'll look into a kill a watt.

Thanks to the everyone for the feedback.

Brian

 

[tcarter1936]

I'd run a kill a watt just to know but I have my trusty meter. And just because your breaker didn't trip doesn't mean your in the clear. People double tap or otherwise overload cicuits all the time.you say you are a worrier well so am I. For peice of mind a dedicated circuit with gfi protection is the way to go. I ran a 30 amp sub panel to my fish room.not very expensive and also allows me to get my amp probe on wire to verify my draw. Remember that breakers only trip when they are sized correctly according to wire size. I've seen some very dangerous work done by under educated / handy men in my career.good luck.

 

[Harry_Y]

Perfectionism can be a real drain on you.
You need to learn to let it go, Yes, I'm serious.

That being said I tend to just use them as references and only get concerned if I see a big change
(indicating a heater has failed etc)

 

[SATXBrian]

Perfectionism can be a real drain on you.
You need to learn to let it go, Yes, I'm serious.

That being said I tend to just use them as references and only get concerned if I see a big change
(indicating a heater has failed etc)

I hear you! Trust me, this is a part of me I am working on controlling. [emoji4] I'll continue to monitor the tank.

Thanks again, everyone!

Brian