Heater Power Consumption

[mnemonik23]

I've decided to buy a small UPS for my aquarium and since I have a Kill-A-Watt device I also decided to measure how much power all aquarium devices consume.

I hooked up surge protector with filter, power head, heater (I have a Stealth 200W) and light on it to Kill-A-Watt and got 22W

How the heater works? Is it suppose to consume 200W as rated or only when it's cold?

Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

One problem, if you could consider it one, is that the stealths don't have a light to indicate if they are running or not. If you are pulling 22w, try turning up the temperature on the heater, watch the meter take off.

 

[mnemonik23]

One problem, if you could consider it one, is that the stealths don't have a light to indicate if they are running or not. If you are pulling 22w, try turning up the temperature on the heater, watch the meter take off.

Actually what I did is I unplugged it and then plugged it in, though it might didn't trurn on because temp already was 86F (I'm cycling...)
I'll try your suggestion, Thanks!

Edit: yup, worked as advertised after turning up the temperature 210W total with 87F (including filter, power head and light)

 

[Colin_T]

How the heater works? Is it suppose to consume 200W as rated or only when it's cold?

Modern heaters are thermostatically controlled and will only use power when they come on to heat the water. If the water is above the temperature that the heater is set on, the heater won't come on and no power will be consumed. When the tank water drops below the pre-set temperature, then the heater will come on and you should see some power being used.

 

[raptorrex]

One problem, if you could consider it one, is that the stealths don't have a light to indicate if they are running or not. If you are pulling 22w, try turning up the temperature on the heater, watch the meter take off.

Actually what I did is I unplugged it and then plugged it in, though it might didn't trurn on because temp already was 86F (I'm cycling...)
I'll try your suggestion, Thanks!

Edit: yup, worked as advertised after turning up the temperature 210W total with 87F (including filter, power head and light)

still not right, unless the rating of the heater is well out, you got 22w with the heater off and 210 with it on, now as far as i am aware, heaters give full power until they switch off. so you should have 222w with it on. as i am unsure of what type of thermostat aquarium heaters have, i have never had any reason to look to be honest, even if it is powered i would imagin it would not take 12w. personally i would consider 6% to be too much of a discrepency, but i bet its not that bad when compared with other heaters.

 

[Tolak]

Watts being used depends on voltage as well. As an electrical line continues there is a voltage drop. Voltage supplied will vary at times as well.

 

[spesh]

Watts being used depends on voltage as well. As an electrical line continues there is a voltage drop. Voltage supplied will vary at times as well.

Incorrect. Power (watts) remains the same, if there is a drop in voltage you will see an increase of amperage to meet the required power, simply P=VI (where p is the power in watts, V is the voltage and I is the current in amperes)

 

[raptorrex]

well if its sold as a 200w heater, it should produce 200w, give or take a % or two.

 

[Rooster]

Watts being used depends on voltage as well. As an electrical line continues there is a voltage drop. Voltage supplied will vary at times as well.

Incorrect. Power (watts) remains the same, if there is a drop in voltage you will see an increase of amperage to meet the required power, simply P=VI (where p is the power in watts, V is the voltage and I is the current in amperes)

Mmmmm not true either ! as Voltage drops, so will current as the resistance remains the same.
If "Wattage" (hate that phrase) DID stay the same, you could run the heater on 12 Volts right ? Which obviously isnt the case.


To the OP.
The heater only turns on when its needed - ie when the temperature drops below a preset level. (the term "heater" is used these days to denote a heater/thermostat pair) So unless the temp drops, the heater remains off.