Tribal serves up some truth with a twist of harshness. Do listen up about electricity, don't Burn down the trailer park and make it another " stoner burns family and nun who lived next door with careless wiring" headline. Overkill is underrated. Get a book about wiring, and then read it. Fascinating stuff and you will hopefully use the info often. NS
-
ICMag with help from Landrace Warden and The Vault is running a NEW contest in November! You can check it here. Prizes are seeds & forum premium access. Come join in!
why do all digital timers suck?
- Thread starter dragunn
- Start date
I'm not going to argue that the timer pictured in my last post is 100% SAFE from melting down (because just because we haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't happen), but I will say that I've got a friend that owns a hydro shop and they have NEVER received one back melted.
He has been selling these timers for as long as he has been open (around 10 years) across many brands.. mainly Sundial2, Hydrofarm, and Control Wizard. Never a melted timer... never even a failed timer.
Only time they come back into the store is due to people who cannot figure out how to set them.
For what its worth.. if you don't overload the capacity of the timer..they are pretty reliable.. at least Ive never see one burnt in all my years. (even from people running 1 light per timer)
Intermatic digitals with the screen on the top like a pager.. cant say the same. Seen many scorched and discolored due to high heat.
He has been selling these timers for as long as he has been open (around 10 years) across many brands.. mainly Sundial2, Hydrofarm, and Control Wizard. Never a melted timer... never even a failed timer.
Only time they come back into the store is due to people who cannot figure out how to set them.
For what its worth.. if you don't overload the capacity of the timer..they are pretty reliable.. at least Ive never see one burnt in all my years. (even from people running 1 light per timer)
Intermatic digitals with the screen on the top like a pager.. cant say the same. Seen many scorched and discolored due to high heat.
Titan said this about their digital timers: "The main reason we don't recommend them is the inrush used to start a digital ballast can fuse the contacts on the time thus destroying the timer". They make reliable (but expensive) mechanical timers like the Titan Controls Apollo 4&5 (120 & 240 volt). 1 per outlet and about $40 a pop. You get what you pay for.
The Sundial4 240V is a digital timer that people seem to like and is cheaper, not sure how it'll work w/digital ballasts. Maybe hydro shop timers are better, even the digital ones? Intermatic seems to have plug/outlet compatibility problems w/US plug/outlet specs. I know I have 240V for lights but even w/reduced amperage (which could also be a factor in failures) I'm sticking w/Titan.
Nice work Flower, seems you do know your stuff, at least when it comes to vertical bare bulb (your Blumat thread)! Wonder hoe the other layout compares to donuts. Sun System makes a straight cord w/mogul and strain relief pigtail for about $15 (instead of angled).
The Sundial4 240V is a digital timer that people seem to like and is cheaper, not sure how it'll work w/digital ballasts. Maybe hydro shop timers are better, even the digital ones? Intermatic seems to have plug/outlet compatibility problems w/US plug/outlet specs. I know I have 240V for lights but even w/reduced amperage (which could also be a factor in failures) I'm sticking w/Titan.
Nice work Flower, seems you do know your stuff, at least when it comes to vertical bare bulb (your Blumat thread)!
Wonder hoe the other layout compares to donuts. Sun System makes a straight cord w/mogul and strain relief pigtail for about $15 (instead of angled).
T
TREE KING
Titan said this about their digital timers: "The main reason we don't recommend them is the inrush used to start a digital ballast can fuse the contacts on the time thus destroying the timer". They make reliable (but expensive) mechanical timers like the Titan Controls Apollo 4&5 (120 & 240 volt). 1 per outlet and about $40 a pop. You get what you pay for.
The Sundial4 240V is a digital timer that people seem to like and is cheaper, not sure how it'll work w/digital ballasts. Maybe hydro shop timers are better, even the digital ones? Intermatic seems to have plug/outlet compatibility problems w/US plug/outlet specs. I know I have 240V for lights but even w/reduced amperage (which could also be a factor in failures) I'm sticking w/Titan.
i just dont understand why the 4 & 5 are only meant to handle 10 amps? your supposed to leave your self some leeway and a 1000 watt light already uses 10 amps. for that price it should be able to handle 15
I have had the cheap Walmart timers last me for years....running no more than 1000w bulb though.
Cheers
TpM
Cheers
TpM
That Intermatic WH 40 sure looks nice. Looks like you can run multiple 600's or 1,000's w/that! There's a how to on wiring out there as well.
Your right there TREE KING, some seem to prefer the Sundial over the Titan digital anyway. 1st time I actually heard of 10 amp, it's almost screaming not to use w/lights. A lot of stuff may have different names, but a lot is just rebranded from manufacturer.
Grow lights are an inductive load, the rating for an inductive load will be a lot less than the 15 amp resistive load rating on your timer-probably about 3 or 4 amps. It might work fine, then one day you lights stay on, or even worse it starts a fire.
In the UK, timers have the inductive rating in brackets next to the resistive rating, like this "15(3)amps".
I dont trust digi timers, had no end of trouble with them, randomly resetting themselves or switching off when the lighting switches...cycle timers are the best thing to use for feeding between 1-15 minutes, for all else, a normal 15 minute segment timer is ideal.
They do make normal plug in timers for use with growlights, such as the "Relax timer" I used to use-which can run 3 600s, but these are 3 times the price of your regular timer and nowhere near as hardwearing as a relay/contactor running from a cheap segment timer..
Last edited:
T
TREE KING
exactly the Sundial and the Titan digital are identical they just put a different name on it
no ones used these Amertac TEO5W Decorative Indoor Weekly Digital Timers?
http://www.amazon.com/Amertac-TEO5W...6965052&sr=1-24&keywords=digital+timer+outlet
there only $15 here with a rechargable battery too and a 4 star rating
T
TREE KING
so then please let me know of a digital timer thats meant to handle 10 amps like a 1000 watt light on for 12 hours in a row? im kinda doubting this is true but il roll with you for a sec on this one
do you have a link or a name to a good recycle timer that i can use for an ebb n flow tray to feed from 1-15 minutes? i do like a 3-4 minute floods
We in the UK have(or had) the "Relax timer" which can run 3x600watts, I'm sure there is something similar in your area...
I wouldn't use any timer for lights, without rigging up a contactor/relay to do the actual load switching. The timer switches the relay, and the relay switches the lights-like a flip/flop, but its on off instead of flipping between lights.
Greenair make some good timers, a mate of mine has his room running on Greenair gear for the whole 10 years I've known him, and has never had a problem. Im sure you can find some Greenair stuff.
Other than that I can't help with products in your neck of the woods, sorry.
Try to find a timer that is made to switch electric heaters and such, or like I say, buy a relay and use a normal segment timer with it-the relay does the "Heavy lifting" and saves your timer.
Digital isn't needed for the lights!
EDIT
These are very popular in the UK http://www.progrow.co.uk/acatalog/info_4825.html
Im sure your local growshops will have something similar.
Last edited:
T
TREE KING
i appreciate you tryin to help. i dont know ive never had a problem with digital timers burning out with 1000 watt lights and ive been ising them for 7 years. ive had them malfunction though with ebb n flow pumps
C.A.P. and Titan make some nice recycle timers. Oh, Titan also makes some 30 & 50 amp lighting controllers (4-8,000 watts) w/timer. Kind of an all-in-one solution, A LOT less playing w/wires but over $200. Whoops it's Ecoplus not Titan. Ecoplus makes nice cheap pumps as well.
I 2nd the WH 40 suggestion for those uneasy with regular timers.
WH 40 water heater timer is a great unit for those wanting a bullet proof analog solution and are capable of wiring them up. 40a - 240v.
I can no longer get them from HD or Lowes anymore though.. whats up with that?
WH 40 water heater timer is a great unit for those wanting a bullet proof analog solution and are capable of wiring them up. 40a - 240v.
I can no longer get them from HD or Lowes anymore though.. whats up with that?
Like with dry ice bubble bag kief/hash they must be on to us!
I doubt it though, lost business and capitalism usually trumps. Green Air looks the bomb! Available here in the states too.PS: Hey Harry, **All grow thieves should have their testicles squashed in a vice** - for starters.
nukklehead
Active member
Takes a little wiring but intermatic T-101.....bulletproof..google it
It is what it is... for about 7 years now I have used all brands of heavy duty "plug in timers" for my 1K . I replaced them yearly and never had a problem. Every time noticed some scorching on the intake terminals. I probably could go on for years using the same approach without any problems. Im just getting older and more cautious regarding fire prevention. Once I installed the T-101 and saw how solid that bitch switched I was hooked.
P.S it is essentially a30 amp water heater timer.
they sell a utilitech digital timer at lowes that works great. it's only rated for 600w tungsten but i'm running a 600w hps on it so it's good for me. I ran 2 intermatic mechanical timers before this and they both failed when their little plastic arms that flick the switch as the turn by wore down to the point they no longer tripped it. one lasted less than 6 months of 12/12 duty. I forget how to program the utilitech every time lol but a quick google search of it's model # + "instructions" and it's back in business!
This looks like a cool product: Hydrofarm Autopilot High Power HID Master Light Controller 4000W (120V/240V Only) 30 Amps X Plug. Phantom digital ballast recommends them along w/Intermatic WH40 water heater timer, specifically Intermatic Heavy Duty Timer TMHDT104 but both look similar?
Also DX Hydro makes timer boxes that can hook right up to a dryer outlet or main panel, complete w/digital timers and relays (like Ecoplus and may be better deal). People here at IC mag seem to like them.
Also DX Hydro makes timer boxes that can hook right up to a dryer outlet or main panel, complete w/digital timers and relays (like Ecoplus and may be better deal). People here at IC mag seem to like them.
nukklehead
Active member
