220v ballast question

[Can of Bliss]

At the risk of spreading bad info, I was told that when the cheaper 220v timers "turn off", they cut out only one hot lead while the other stays hot. The ballast turns off of course but it still remains in contact with one hot lead. I can see how this would be bad for a ballast over time. But again I didn't test this myself so would be curious if anyone with more knowledge has better insight into why the cheaper plug-in 220v timers are not OK for ballasts.

Ha! I believe it. It would work.

I'd expect almost all 110 timers just switch the live side, which is fine if your outlet is wired right. But I've lived in more than one house where it was 50/50 if a outlet was backwards.

 

[mdgg4]

Thanks man and good points.

I must admit it took me longer than I thought to find an appropriate 220v timer for my digi ballast. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places. Seems like timers for 110v are everywhere but not so standard for 220v.

At the risk of spreading bad info, I was told that when the cheaper 220v timers "turn off", they cut out only one hot lead while the other stays hot. The ballast turns off of course but it still remains in contact with one hot lead. I can see how this would be bad for a ballast over time. But again I didn't test this myself so would be curious if anyone with more knowledge has better insight into why the cheaper plug-in 220v timers are not OK for ballasts.

Intermatic mechanical 220v timer "Little Gray Box" thats what you want. You have to hardwire to your 220v line but this is the timer you would want to have basically fail proof. Would'nt necessarily trust plug in 220v timers, fire waiting to happen. The Intermatic will last you years and years before it even thinks about failing. SolidState can't go wrong.

PEACE!

 

[mdgg4]

plug in 220v timers get very hot and run the risk of igniting, if your ballast doesnt have a soft start the sudden pull from a 1000w light firing up is enough to set it ablaze, safe than sorry.


PEACE!

 

[everydayJoe]

Intermatic mechanical 220v timer "Little Gray Box" thats what you want. You have to hardwire to your 220v line but this is the timer you would want to have basically fail proof. Would'nt necessarily trust plug in 220v timers, fire waiting to happen. The Intermatic will last you years and years before it even thinks about failing. SolidState can't go wrong.

PEACE!

Yeah for sure I was about to wire in one of those intermatic timers...robust, reliable, solid. Can't go wrong for sure.

Just before I went down that road though, by recommendation from local growers I bought a Titan Apollo 5 in-line timer specifically designed for the demands of 220 digi ballasts. No complaints with this timer so far running a single 600w, but if it goes belly up then I'll wire in the intermatic.

 

[mdgg4]

Yeah for sure I was about to wire in one of those intermatic timers...robust, reliable, solid. Can't go wrong for sure.

Just before I went down that road though, by recommendation from local growers I bought a Titan Apollo 5 in-line timer specifically designed for the demands of 220 digi ballasts. No complaints with this timer so far running a single 600w, but if it goes belly up then I'll wire in the intermatic.

you should have gotten the intermatic since you knew how to do it would have been much better money spent. you can only run 1 1000w light with that timer and for that price? your hydro dude seriously gave you bad advice. you could have ran at least 6 1000w ballasts with the intermatic with the peace of mind that its not going to get hot and catch fire. peace of mind to know that for the next 5-10 years minimum that you wont have to buy a timer. bar none intermatic timers are some of the most reliable timers on the market.


PEACE!
















PEACE!

 

[mdgg4]

reread your post, a fellow grower, he should have told you the intermatic is much more reliable and safe.

PEACE!

 

[everydayJoe]

Well, price-wise it's a moot point...got the titan timer new for same price as the intermatics, and finances are not a limiting factor for me and my hobby.

Plus I'm only running a single 600w setup. I have no need nor desire for a 1k or multiple 1k setups. Been a hobby grower for 10 years now and a single 600w gives more than I need plus gifts for close friends.

Maybe someday I'll switch to the intermatic but for now the titan has worked great, it's designed specifically for the demands of ballasts, for this voltage, and it's designed to handle 60% more amperage than what I draw from it. So I'm not exactly pushing the limits here, nor on the whole electrical setup I've designed. In fact by my calculations I use less than 20% of the total "allowable" amperage in my room and my subpanel. I check all my outlets and wires for heat etc, and after each grow I inspect my outlets for any issues. Though I'm not a licensed electrician, everything is to code, and everything is being used exactly for what it was designed to do.

I appreciate your input tho. Cheers.

 

[Floridian]

I want to echo mgdd4 suggestion.I have been an electrician for over 3 decades and have used numerious type timers.The little gray box for either 110 or 22o volts cannot be beat for HID applications.I have used mine for 3 1K vertizontals for the better part of 10 years and though theres some power running through it,I have experienced zero problems.The one I put on my water heater back in 1999 is still working fine also.IMO yoou cant beat mechanical timers for high current applications.Plug=ins are not worthy