Is this generator what i need?

Hi again! I promise i will only post one question tonight (or this mornight ...depending on where you are. I am just trying to figure out if this is possible ..... and advice is welcome as always..

If i were to use:

4 x 600w bulbs, which amounts to 2400watts

+

4 x T5 - 8 fixtures ( i think you have sold me VV ) = 440w x 4 = 1760watts

2400 + 1760 = 4160 watts

A 600w bulb uses 8.5 amps (?) = 34 amps

I am not sure how many amps a T5-8 uses. VV?

This generator: eu6500is Honda Generators 6500 watt super quiet EU6500i Honda portable generator ( i have not decided on this particular generator. actually i would prefer one than runs on gas and propane aswell - with simular stats)

Has a maximum of 6500watt output, aswell as a maximum of 52 amps. (Other power would be needed of course, but running it at 2/3 throttle is best i suppose)

Could this generator do the job?

If not, do you have an opinion on one that could?

Peace and respect to all. And promise. I won't ask anymore questions tonight

pandabear said:

why dont you wanna use regular electric? could get very expensive using generator i think

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Dude...With that much wattage the electricity would be much more! Use the generator. You have the right idea. As long as it is not to loud, I would do the same/

do you want to have a large grow op but are afraid the power drain will give you away? You want the power for free after startup costs?

DUDE!!!!! check it out!!!!!!

HI-Power 3600 Watt Hydro Generator, $5,000.00 4 Nozzle
Model #: HV3600-4N
Availability: Ships in 2 to 3 weeks HI-Power Hydroelectric generators are ideal for sites where water is far from power needs (up to 10,000 feet), or when greater power is required. High transmission voltage View larger image can be sent over a mile before being ‘stepped down’ to battery voltage. It comes complete with step down transformer, rectifier, fuses and amp meter. Use a diversion type regulator with these units.
this thing can power 3 1000 watt HPS lights an then some. just need to be near a brook or stream

if you ar a pro grower that means you can get 6LBS per harvest with 3 1000watt lights, sell each for 3K a pop and your making 18K every 2 months with no power costs. and that would pay for itself real quik,

I dont do this I just like to do the math. I wouldnt recommend growing for anything but personal use.

pandabear said:

but if a generator is cheaper why does everone use regular electricty?

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Because not everyone can afford the inital cost to buy the thing and second, not everyone would be cool with having a generator outside making noise while everyone else's electrical power in the area is in good working fashion. Looks suspicious. That's why. Maybe good for folks who live in the country. Not city people.

lets go thru this again total wattage divided by voltage = amperage. so 4,160 watts divided by 120 volts = 34.67 amp draw. so yes it would work. or even better put thelights on the generators and the fans and every thing else on household electric.

nuff said.

wax1 said:

Dude...With that much wattage the electricity would be much more! Use the generator. You have the right idea. As long as it is not to loud, I would do the same/

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No, this will be much more expensive. It says that the generator has a fuel capacity of 4.5 gallons, and that at full power of 6500W, it will run for 4.7 hours. Thats about a gallon of gas an hour. A gallon of gas where I live is about 3$. Electricity from my electric company is about $.09 a kw/h. so 6500W costs me about $.60 an hour. After the initial investment, it will still be 5 times as expensive. Unless gas prices dip well below 60 cents, this $5000 dollars is only well spent for the extremely paranoid. Also, are you going to be motivated to fill up the tank 2-4 times a day, depending on lighting schedules and electricity usage? Where will you store the hundreds of gallons of gas you will need every month, or will you make many trips? It seems like this generator is going to ruin your life.

S-Town

I hardly ever see them used as primary power sources but as backups... think if you had 20+ plants in their 6th week of flower and the power went out for some reason. Backup generators save plants and money, the initial investment will pay off if it is used 3 times in it's operational lifetime in most cases that i have seen. I have lived in 2 places one with thunderstorms that knock out power all the time and the other with earthquakes, more than 3 power outages a year and many lasting mroe than a day or two.

Thanks very much to all who replied here.

After researching things, i have to say that using a generator may not be so feesable ....

back to the old drawing board i think ..

sleepytown said:

No, this will be much more expensive. It says that the generator has a fuel capacity of 4.5 gallons, and that at full power of 6500W, it will run for 4.7 hours. Thats about a gallon of gas an hour. A gallon of gas where I live is about 3$.

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$3 per gallon! wow! that's cheap! ...... as i said in the OP, the gen i chose would not run at full capacity, ......but still, it would be costly to run. you would not use much more than one tank per day. it's not impossible, but a lot of hassle...

yeah that does sound real expensive. only way i would do that is if i had 2 1000 watt rooms on household and 4 1000watt on generator. using sog u could probably generate about 10 g's a month in revenue. seeing that u would send about a grand or 1200 out in electricity and gas. after that it might be worth it. if not stick with the elec. company.