Has anyone ever used or seen these?

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I'm using a 400W light and prob upgrading to a 600W soon and need a contactor and came accross this on that shitty auction site

Yes ive just got one of theese too A timer and contactor in 1 for 15 quid is a bargin! After burning 3 timers with my 400MH i had to get this befor i put a 600 HPS in the room =)

Yep also using... seems good and no problems so far

You should really be using a contactor with a 400 anyway... I even used one when, I was using a 250. 600w is the max that can be used with these timers on there own though!

Hi there,

Just had a look at that timer, could be ok if it does what it says on the tin

I'm a bit suspicious that they have rated it as "switching a 600W HPS" rather than telling you the actual rating in watts, but then i'm cynical.

What I get from it is this, they say it can run a 600W HPS or 6x200W enviro's, the thing that interests me here is the enviros, they don't have such a severe current spike on starting that HPS do, so to switch 6x200W enviro = 1200W...or 1.2 KW

I'd say the contacts would probably be rated for 1.5KW for safety margins which is easily capable of starting a 600W HPS with no problems, though having never used or even seen one 'til today I couldn't be certain Like I say, depends on whether it actually does what it claims to do, and for how long!

So, unless someone here has actually used one of these things, then you just have to suck it and see.

The question is though, when you can get a 2KW powerstar contactor for a couple of quid more and get a cheapo timer from wilko's for a coupla quid, why take the chance? I have had the same powerstar contactor for 4 years now with nary a hiccup, gets my vote!

TQS

PS, just noticed that while i've been typing some people who have actually used one have answered, kinda makes my ramblings academic now, ah well, posting it anyway!

Just outta curiosity, what is the actual KW rating of these things guys?

Went and dug out the box, although not that helpful - says

24 Hour HD IP 44 Greenhouse timer 22A 220/240v 50/60 HZ for use with envirolite and HPS lamps

Wow,

Well, 22 amps at 240V = 5.28KW !!!

Thats some heavy duty switching, not convinced that's accurate really! Doesn't tally with the claims of it being suitable for a 600W HPS, if that 5KW is on the mark then i'd happily switch 2KW through it, i'm not convinced The main problem being that your socket would give out at 13 amps!

Even so, at only half that switching capability it would still be a good contactor, might have to get one just to pop the top off and have a gander at the contacts!

Cheers for the info Halfatree, given me something to think about when my new credit card turns up!

TQS

Mmmm not really sure wat to do now

I'd say feck it and go for it, even if it does half of what it says on the box it'll switch as much juice as your socket can handle, man that is crazy, gonna have to get me one of those for dissection methinks!

For the price it's alot more VFM than a 1KW powerstar, more bang for your buck, maybe a bad choice of words!

I also like the IP44 rating, i'm always paranoid over spraying stuff round with so much leccy kicking about, i've electrocuted myself many times over the years...240V AC and 400V DC being my max so far, not a pleasant experience at all (BTW, nothing to do with growing, more to do with domestic electrics installation and discharge capacitor tinkering while caned off me face! ) so splash proof is a big plus.

ATB,
TQS.

Well a would try it envirolite is a fairly decent make so i would imagine it to be ok

I'd say that 22A rating is the max resitive load, and not inductive - either that, or it's complete bullshit.

I'd also spend the extra couple of quid and get a good, known quantity contactor.

Ye a think it will be ok for the 400W light i'll look a bit further into it n c if i can find out more about it

These timers are quoted as being suitable for hps lights upto 600w (e2a: i don't ever trust manufacturers spec and recommended limits.....its kinda like nutes, go a bit lower and you will b ok !!!!).......although i am not about to try the timer with a 600w hps i do however run a 400w hps happily

If you want to run more than a single 400w hps/mh or less then this timer is suited to the job.....otherwise the contactor method is a much better/safer to use with high current loads.

btw the envirolite timer has a built in relay (contactor)..... like we both agree that it wouldn't be wise to overload it !!!

anyways, as most fans are kept on 24/7 and shouldn't need a timer so i would say this timer is a low end budget (safe) device to use if you only intend on running 400w or less hps/mh lights (not sure how many envirolites you would be able to run from this particular timer....but i would imagine that 3 x 125w would be well within safe limits of useage without causing problems !

Peace

e2a : the timer is rated at 22amp (presume up to or max (surge) amount ??).......... if you wired into the shower/electric cooker circuit you might manage that......but if your going that far with your electricity power requirements, ffs buy a decent contactor !!

ive been using one for 18 months on a 600hps in my flower room and alls well so far i wouldnt put anymore through it mind.

my local growshops been selling them for over a year and from the chat i had with the fella in there alls good with em, no returns etc

I personally think the envirolite timer is well built/designed and suited to most newbie and small scale growers requirements
Its not overkill and its fairly priced timer for the budget (percy) grower market.




U get what you pay for