Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

That is strange.
Mine was rated at 80w, with 0 head height it drew 100w, however reduced as head height increased.
At 0.5m the draw is around the 80w mark, on my system, draw is around 70w.
All depends on the pump I suppose.
However you can buy a wattmeter quite cheap, I think mine was $15 from coles, and I tested it and was accurate.

Andrew

Then I assume the flow rate must drop considerably with head on your pump.
It takes 147 watts to move 1 litre/S of water vertically 1m at a constant velocity, that's assuming a 100% efficient pump and no friction (yes I had to look that up, been a long time since I left school, lol)
So actually in my case I am pumping around 1L/S up about 1M which gives a pump efficiency of about 80%, which is about right at about 220W.

Measured mine fairly recently with an amp meter.

Cheap pump nameplate 60w 6000lph, 40w measured
Barracuda nameplate 60w 6000lph, 60w measured and about 2000lph flow
Airpump 20w

MGE UPS 1 30w
MGE UPS 2 200w - dead battery found in bank.

At the same time I've added 400w to my solar system so hoping for a credit next bill.
Last was $50.

I come home to find the Mrs having the aircon on as well as the oven on pyrolytic.
Makes my 65w pump really insignificant...

I have a new Policy at home these days.. All computer off at 9am and don't get turned on until late in the afternoon..

An yes I'm think'n of adding more panels to my system to get more energy into the system.

I'm even Looking at installing a small 2-300w system to charge up a set of batteries to run the current/new system..

Juergen

lol, I've had a similar thing when I've come home, Aircon on and the window wide open...
"Oh but I like the fresh air" -