Full Version: Lights
hi there hoping to get some help here can i plug my eco light 125 watt 5u, 230v 50hz straight in to my timer or would it burn it out thanks for the reply if i get one and one more question how close to the seedlings
eco light is fine straight into the timer, make sure it is a digital timer mechanical segment timers are rubbish.
That's not true at all about digital/mechanical timers - there are plenty of rubbish digital timers, with really weedy relays inside them, and loads of decent segment-type mechanicals out there.
Really, you should have a contactor when using CFL lamps, as they represent an AC5a-type load, just like HID ballasts - but you will probably get away with using just a timer with a 125W CFL, TBH.
There seem to be quite a lot of ill-informed people out there who associate 'digital' timers with being of superior construction to the mechanical types, seemingly just because they're digital, and presumably must be 'better' and more 'high-tech' than the mechs., but this is just not a true belief, at all.
Really, you should have a contactor when using CFL lamps, as they represent an AC5a-type load, just like HID ballasts - but you will probably get away with using just a timer with a 125W CFL, TBH.
There seem to be quite a lot of ill-informed people out there who associate 'digital' timers with being of superior construction to the mechanical types, seemingly just because they're digital, and presumably must be 'better' and more 'high-tech' than the mechs., but this is just not a true belief, at all.
thanks
hi pal, i agree with scribble, ive always used machanical timers with no probs at all..
i have my 150 enviro a couple of cm away from top set of leaves of plant....keep it close to avoid any unwanted stretching.
i meant 125w enviro..
i have my 150 enviro a couple of cm away from top set of leaves of plant....keep it close to avoid any unwanted stretching.
i meant 125w enviro..
Hi
I've bought a timer from maplins for my 325w envirolite/cfl setup. It's called a 'High Load' digital timer and it has contacts rated at 4 Amps inductive load which in theory is just over 900w. I'd be happy using it for up to at least 600w fluoro / HPS / MH.
A
I've bought a timer from maplins for my 325w envirolite/cfl setup. It's called a 'High Load' digital timer and it has contacts rated at 4 Amps inductive load which in theory is just over 900w. I'd be happy using it for up to at least 600w fluoro / HPS / MH.
A
QUOTE
This accurate and reliable timer has 9 separate pre-programmed day groups, which can be overwritten with a new group of days. You can programm up to a total of 14 separate groups of time settings. it is ideal for switching on lamps/radios, etc. to give the impression a property is occupied. The timer automatically turns appliances on and off as required, so you can take advantage of cheaper electricity costs at off peak times. Most timers can only switch up to 2A or 480watts of power, this timer can switch high impedance loads up to 4A (960watts).
Wrong - it says nothing about handling inductive loads of the type that ballasts represent - I wouldn't use one of these without a contactor.
Hi Scribble
You are right. It does say "high impedance loads up to 4A" but I'd swear blind it used to say "inductive loads up to 4A".
On the back of the timer I have it says 13(4)A. For every other timer I've seen the first number is resistive load and the number in brackets is the inductive load rating of the contacts. I can't see any reason for this one being any different. 
Having said that, until someone can clarify this, stick with Scribble's advice and use a contactor. I don't want my karma going bad 'cos someones house burns down!
A
You are right. It does say "high impedance loads up to 4A" but I'd swear blind it used to say "inductive loads up to 4A".
On the back of the timer I have it says 13(4)A. For every other timer I've seen the first number is resistive load and the number in brackets is the inductive load rating of the contacts. I can't see any reason for this one being any different. Having said that, until someone can clarify this, stick with Scribble's advice and use a contactor. I don't want my karma going bad 'cos someones house burns down!
A
I also agree with Scribble in that the digital timers I've tried have been pretty much terrible.
I've always run my CFL lamps off segment timers bought from Homebase, and if I'm honest I also run my 250w HPS off the same, without problems. It's not advisable but I've also run my 400w HPS off the same timers. I have melted the switch mechanism in several!
I've always run my CFL lamps off segment timers bought from Homebase, and if I'm honest I also run my 250w HPS off the same, without problems. It's not advisable but I've also run my 400w HPS off the same timers. I have melted the switch mechanism in several!
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.