1000w's or 600w's

you go with 2x600 watters.. but correct me if I'm wrong.. Don't ya have make sure your circuit breaker can handle it.. That's 1200 watts most houses are 1500 watts correct.. ? Then you add fans, blowers etc etc that'll easliy bring ya up to 1500 watts maybe over.. ?!

Each circuit breaker in a house electrical panel are rated for 10, 15, 20 watt loads on a single phase, 120v circuit, totaling 100 to 200 amps for the house. Add up the total amperage of each device drawing power on that circuit. The total should be a few amps below its maximum amperage rating. So, if you have a 120v 20 amp circuit: 2 x 1kw light (8.x amp each), 2 x fan (1 amp each), you are using 18.x amps on that circuit and any more amps and the circuit trips. Using a 240v circuit (two phases) allows you to effectively halve the amperage requirements for a device. Happy growing!

This assumes you're lighting from the top:

If you want to grow giant plants (4+ feet tall) and not worry about adjusting light heights, then go with 1000 watters.

If you are growing lots of smaller plants (~3 feet or less) then get the 600's. You can keep a 600 closer and cooler, and they still can get good penetration.

TATTOODETROIT said:

you go with 2x600 watters.. but correct me if I'm wrong.. Don't ya have make sure your circuit breaker can handle it.. That's 1200 watts most houses are 1500 watts correct.. ? Then you add fans, blowers etc etc that'll easliy bring ya up to 1500 watts maybe over.. ?!

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My grow placement lets me use 2 circuits. But yes, I do pop the breaker if I run it on one, that's with 2x600, 2x105w, 5000btu a/c, exhaust fans, circulation fans

SmoochieBoochies said:

Each circuit breaker in a house electrical panel are rated for 10, 15, 20 watt loads on a single phase, 120v circuit, totaling 100 to 200 amps for the house. Add up the total amperage of each device drawing power on that circuit. The total should be a few amps below its maximum amperage rating. So, if you have a 120v 20 amp circuit: 2 x 1kw light (8.x amp each), 2 x fan (1 amp each), you are using 18.x amps on that circuit and any more amps and the circuit trips. Using a 240v circuit (two phases) allows you to effectively halve the amperage requirements for a device. Happy growing!

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What he said.. !! heh heh heh rite on SmoochieBoochies.. !! That's exactly what I meant to say.. LoL.. I Just read that in one of my Grow Bibles..

Soil Grow 1000 Watt Setup 5' by 5' Safety, safety and safety are your three priorities when gardening indoors with high intensity discharge lights (HID). HID lights are powerful and they use a significant amount of energy. Do not underestimate the importance of safety when using HID's because carelessness will result in a fire. What starts right stays right. Never Exceed the Maximum Wattage Level of a Wall Receptacle / Circuit Breaker The average wall receptacle in an American home is connected to a 15 amp breaker at 120 volts. The maximum wattage available on a perfect day is 1, 800 watts (15 x 120) before the breaker trips. The rule of thumb states that you do not want to exceed 85 % of the maximum wattage because there needs to be a safety margin and a perfect environment does not exist as a realistic long term option. I.e., 1,800 watts is not a realistic and safe usage level day in and day out. Other factors that may reduce the safe operating level include the age of the home, age of the wiring, quality of the instillation, insects and rodents that have access to the homes electrical wiring and extreme weather conditions like heat, cold and humidity. These are only a few of the factors to take into consideration when determining a safe operating wattage level for a circuit. (15 amp breaker x 120 volts) = 1,800 maximum watts x safety margin 85 % = 1,530 maximum safe load watts per 15 amp breaker. Keep in mind that more than one wall receptacle will be connected to a 15 amp breaker. And if the home is older with older wiring insulation you may need to increase your safety margin by working with a lower safety margin number like 75 %. E.g., (15 amp breaker x 120 volts) = 1,800 maximum watts x safety margin 75 % = 1,350 maximum safe load watts per 15 amp breaker. Always consult with a professional electrician.

I hope this helps..

Nusky said:

I'd bet that most of the "big name" grow ops use 1000 watt lights though

edit: comparing 2 600s to 1 1000, 2 600s would win

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As for your first comment, maybe on this forum. People I know are using 2 600`s and 2 400`s per plant. End result is 2pounds of good ganja.
and as for you edit, I will definetly agree with you.

My tent will be only the 1 600. Even thinking of getting a 400 for veg. But once my grow room is completed I will hopefully do the same as the people i know. 2pounds per plant, you cant go wrong. But my room is a long way off from being finished. Maybe next year sometime. I`m a dam slacker.

dont care what anyone says 2 - 600's will produce more heat then 1 - 1000 anyday of the week as for light penetration 1000 watters all the way
were here trying to grow indoor mimicing out door weather, sun , you name it with a proper dialed in room and good exhanged air, fans etc you can run your 1000 watters 12 - 13" above plants i do
when you compare 600's to 1000's you also got to think about time schedules were here to achieve fast growth and good yields
i have a friend that grows with 600's we started pretty much same time he is one week ahead of me in flower and were pretty much same power all i can say is i am kicking his ass for overal growth and bud sites i think if the op can run 1 1000 watter and you ill be happy