Hi guys, just wanted to throw a quick question at ya.

I'm about to go 12/12 on my first indoor grow in a week or so and have just pilfered a timer switch to use.

Have just tested that it works, set it to switch my light off and gave it 15/20mins.

Good news is it worked... however I am slightly concerned that it was already quite warm when I removed it.

Is this normal?

I expect it to warm up over a 12 hour lights on cycle, but after 15-20 mins plugged in I didn't think it would be noticably warm.

It is a standard dial type timer switch, manufactured by Superswitch.

13(2)A - 230/240V~ 50Hz T45

what king of light do you have?

you need a contactor unless it is an envirolite timer
dont take risks with electricity its not worth it

I think its anything 250w or over you have to have a contactor on, it will work for a while but will get stuck on eventually.

Oops, forgot to mention the light.


Its just a 125w Enviro for the time being, looking to get an additional red spectrum light for 12/12 but I have another timer for that.

a normal timer will work fine, the best to use of that sort would be the digital ones from argos, i've had a 400w on one for ages, no problem

The warmth you can feel is from the clock motor. Run it with nothing plugged into it and it will still be warm. If it worries you get a digital timer.

Might well do, but if it is normal for it to warm up thats cool, I have never used a timer switch for anything before so I wasn't sure if it should warm up so quick... as long as it isn't gonna spontaneously combust thats fine with me!

You should still be using a contactor with a 400W HID, though - it's only sheer luck so far that the puny relay in that Argos digital timer hasn't blown yet...

a normal timer will work fine, the best to use of that sort would be the digital ones

that is generally the case

tcc