too many amps from an AmpMaster 3000?

I have an AmpMaster 3000 pump by Dophin. It is not the current model, but about 5 years old, but never installed. On the side of the motor, it states 1.3 Amps. The web page from the dealer I bought it from stated "average amps 0.9" (still same value for the similiar 2700/3200 model).

Problem is I hooked up an Ampmeter in series with the pump (I am a micro EE so I think I hooked it in correctly) and the meter shows 2.3 Amps if I let it pump a lot of water, if I scale it way back, it still draws 1.9 Amps, and if I close the outlet values completely just letting it stir the water inside the head, it still draws 1.6 Amps. I do not see how to get an average of 0.9 unless I include turning it off for 12 hours a day.

What is going on here? I am not a good an EE as I thought? My Fluke meter is no good? Very misleading advertising?

This 2.3 Amps draw 24/7 is more than my electric bill can tolerate. Maybe I can do with a much smaller pump for a 90 gallan reef (wanted to run everything (tank, skimmer, chiller) off one quiet pump as noise is a major concern for the wife).

Thanks for any thoughts you have.

James

 

Most hobbyist pump manufacturers are pretty optimistic on their ratings, that includes power draw, head and GPH in most cases.

I use a Ocean Runner 3500 with a true 59 watts on my Kill A Watt meter and 900 GPH at 0 feet of head on my 100G reef system. I am running it at 5 feet of head so probably 700-750 GPH.