I have a 400w MH running and its time for veg. I have a standard manual timer. On the back it reads: Max Load: 13A/3000w will that be ok or do i really need a contactor?

Personally, I think so.

I had a 600w on a standard timer and it melted the contacts to the 'on' position.

However, then, I kept a close eye on my grow and caught on quick.

But 400w I think should be ok.

'Fraid not - that is the resistive load capacity, not the inductive load - you still need a contactor.

^^^^^^^^What he says^^^^^^^

I agree you need a contactor. I have never run a 400 or larger ballasted lamp without a contactor but i did try to run 2 x 200w envirolites from one timer and it blew. Don't risk it

your hid lighting will pull a surge of electric and its fair to say your standard timer wont be built to cope with it

use a contactor for peace of mind,, so when you leave your house you know you are not leaving somthing that could short out

Cheers lads, this ok?

The Days are over when you are required to Buy Expensive Contactors

This Heavy Duty 22amp Timer will Run

6 x 200Watt Envirolite Bulbs or One 600Watt HPSBallast and Bulb





The features of this unit are as follows :



Heavy Duty 22 Mechanical Timer

IP44 Splash Proof

For Use in Greenhouse Environment

For Use With Envirolites & HPS Lamps

Max Setting 24 Hours

Min Settings 15 Minutes

1 Year Manufactures Warranty

Well, I'm very sorry - I gave the answer in good faith - I've seen it work, but I get the point made.

So can I now just think that no timer is good for any HID?

Again, sorry mate, I'm glad the others came in - they're a good old bunch!

Its ok m8, from what i understand any HID light that has a ballast needs a contactor because they all work on the same princible, im currently using a contactor with a 250 HPS. But like I said its mainly "peace of mind" for me knowing i can leave my setup without worrying about it shorting out. I assume the bigger the light the more chance there is of it effecting a standard timer, but timers come in all shapes and sizes with varied inductive load capacitys.

Does this do the same job?

(spam removed)

New on the market from Envirolite, this unit switches up to 1 x 600w HID lamp or 6 x 200w Envirolites. Heavy duty 24 hour mechanical timer linked to a 22Amp rated contactor, IP44 water penetration protection for use in greenhouse environments and a one year manufacturers warranty.

Only one socket required and half the price of a standard 10 amp contactor. In-built timer so no additional timer cost. Perfect for one light.

That will work - no stock though.

i asked the guy in greens horticulture recently and he told me i'd need a contactor. i decided to try it anyway... the guy from greens was right. now have a day night contactor which also runs my heater at night...

Ok so I went with a 4 gang 2.5kw contactor from fleabay. I thought about it, I needed more sockets, and it was only 10 quid more so was the best choice.

envirolite timers are ok, for up to a single 600w lamp. don't buy contactors from ebay most are made by the people selling, and 9.9 times out of 10 they have no idea about the switching capacity of the cheap RELAYS they use.

i have an ecoswitch( as its called) had it for about 8 years or so cost me either 40 or 70 quid i cant remember, but it will hold up to 3 600w or 3000 watts it doesnt have a contactor which is handy so uses one plug, i also have one of those single 600w timers that cost like 10 quid they work excellent ive had it for a couple years, ive never quit understood why you need to have 2 plugs for one timer it doesnt make sense, obviously i get the safety issue but why dont anywhere sell the ecoswitch things ive got.

the branded envirolite one i got never worked.

after mucking about with all makes and types i eventually bought a 2 way powerstar relay and run a digital timer from maplin on it.

the ecoswitch is a contactor, they've just wired in a timer into the enclosure, the timer doesn't switch your lights on, it just switches a contactor, these sorts of timers are more expensive than plug in timers, so it's cheaper just to have two plugs.