120 volt vs 240 volt

Can some1 explain the difference from 120 volt and 240 volt? 240 is more stable right? Well what does that mean. My 120 volt 600 watt fires everytime. Also how do you convert a ballast from 1 to the other (can you?) Thanks a lot for any help

Here are the basics. It is pretty linear. 240 volts being twice as much voltage will draw half the amount of current. The use of current is what they charge you for.

EX 120 volt drawing 20 amps would only draw 10 amps soit uses half the electricity thus less expensive to run..

Good enough?

WB

OK also you must have the correct ballast You cannot just change the voltage. The ballast must be compatible.
There should be a label on your ballast that will tell you if it is multi voltage. I do not believe I have ever seen one. Depending what kind of lighting you have will determine the cost

ballast for hps have both

all hps have both?

I seen this 1 that does 400W Galaxy Electronic MH/HPS Plant Grow Light Kit

"The Galaxy electronic ballast runs on 120 or 240V by simply changing the power cord."

I have a lumateck ballast , 600 watter (120 volt) 1000watter (240 volt). Do I need to rewire to use the 240 or just get an adaptor (or wil this be a )

wb456 said:

Here are the basics. It is pretty linear. 240 volts being twice as much voltage will draw half the amount of current. The use of current is what they charge you for.

EX 120 volt drawing 20 amps would only draw 10 amps soit uses half the electricity thus less expensive to run..

Good enough?

WB

Click to expand...

This is absolutely not true....


Edux10 here is the correct answer.

240volt supplies a device at a higher current allowing it to draw less AMPS.

ie. a 1000 watt light on 120 volt will draw 9.8 amps, where as on 240 volt it will draw 4.9 amps.

It is still using 1000 watts per hour... the electricity bill is the exact same either way.

240 volt is standard in europe however 120 volt is standard in the US.

all 240v does is allow you to power more devices off of the same breaker.

Specifically about your lumatek:

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Why are there separate ballasts for 120v or 240v?
Lumatek ballasts are voltage specific and cannot be modified to change the input voltage. The 240v digital ballast is much more efficient, producing more light while generating less heat than its 120v counterpart. Other dual input voltage digital ballasts can never achieve the same efficiency as dedicated 240v versions.[/FONT]

Does the bulb create less heat if it is 240v or is it just talking about the ballast? Would I have a problem running a 120 volt 600watt and 240 volt 1000watt on the same breaker? Would I have to change anything if I want to put in the kilowatt instead of the 600watter (change wiring?) Thanks gg

You cant run those on the same circuit...

Either the circut is pumpin out 120 or 240.

Since your in CA I can gurantee it is running at 120v, you will need to rewire your 1000 watt light to run at 120v.

But remeber that you probally cannot run both the 600 and the 1000 off of 1 15 amp breaker, you will need to pull electricity from another room's circuit to do that.

Cool! Thanks again.