A Light Controller That works with both 120v and 240v No Rewiring WTF??

[theroadwarrior]

Ok now from what I get this X-Plug on MLC's will accept either 240 or 120 ballast cords. But my question is will it run say 3 240v ballasts and 3 120v ballasts at the same time or would everything hooked up have to be either 240v or 120v? It seems to reason that it would but I have been wrong before. Here is the description from BGHydro which is the only place I have found them. They have a live chat but not open.



NOTE* The photo is of the 240v only model.





The MLC-8X Lighting Controller is the best device for controlling up to eight H.I.D. lights from one timer. You run 40 amp, 240 volt power into the MLC-8X, and all of the outlets are controlled by one 120 volt trigger cord. Plug the trigger cord into a standard timer, and when trigger cord receives power, all of the lights will turn on. The MLC-8X and MLC 8XT feature a universal X-Plug for 120 and 240v style outlets to plug in your ballasts.

The MLC-8's are rated for 40 amps @ 240 volts.

 

[Observer Tom]

240v is basically two offset 120v lines and one neutral, so I don't see any reason why it would be impossible. Because the 120v and 240v plugs are different shapes, they MIGHT be using outlets that send the correct voltage on an outlet-by-outlet basis.

I would check with the manufacturer instead of the seller, because the seller will tell you anything to get a sale. The manufacturer should give you a straight answer and know what the limits really are.

 

[Observer Tom]

I believe this is the manufacturer's website, I found it through www.capcontrollers.com which forwards to www.randmsupply.com. Here is their MLC-8X model from lighting controllers: www.randmsupply.com/productdisp.php?pid=606&navid=5 And a pdf - www.randmsupply.com/images/link/MLC-8XInstructions.pdf

From the pdf, in bright red - Do not plug in ANY 120 volt devices into the sockets on the side of an MLC-8X. You will instantly destroy any 120 volt device that is plugged in!

Also from the pdf - Note: Although this MLC can be wired for 120 volt operation and used in conjunction with a 120 volt ballast, this is not an optimal combination and reduces the number of ballasts that can be ran with this MLC.

So in summation it looks like it can run either 120v or 240v, but this model is designed to run 240v systems only.

Have you checked your ballasts to see if they can be rewired for 240v? Most can be switched, if you're worried about voiding the manufacturer's warranty I'll bet a shop or some careful sticker work will save you.

It may be interesting to ask the seller's website anyway and see what they say. If they tell you the truth, kudos to them. If they give you a line of BS at least you'll know how honest they are.

 

[stoney419]

I love the mlc 8 I plug the 120 v trigger cord in to hitemp shut down and it has saved my ass

 

[theroadwarrior]

I believe this is the manufacturer's website, I found it through www.capcontrollers.com which forwards to www.randmsupply.com. Here is their MLC-8X model from lighting controllers: www.randmsupply.com/productdisp.php?pid=606&navid=5 And a pdf - www.randmsupply.com/images/link/MLC-8XInstructions.pdf

From the pdf, in bright red - Do not plug in ANY 120 volt devices into the sockets on the side of an MLC-8X. You will instantly destroy any 120 volt device that is plugged in!

Also from the pdf - Note: Although this MLC can be wired for 120 volt operation and used in conjunction with a 120 volt ballast, this is not an optimal combination and reduces the number of ballasts that can be ran with this MLC.

So in summation it looks like it can run either 120v or 240v, but this model is designed to run 240v systems only.

Have you checked your ballasts to see if they can be rewired for 240v? Most can be switched, if you're worried about voiding the manufacturer's warranty I'll bet a shop or some careful sticker work will save you.

It may be interesting to ask the seller's website anyway and see what they say. If they tell you the truth, kudos to them. If they give you a line of BS at least you'll know how honest they are.

Wow thanks alot for finding all that.

 

[Philosophelon]

No you can't run 120V and 240V, you have to run all 240V on that power expander. The 120V cord is just the trigger, so you can plug it into a regular 15A timer. Well, you could run all 120V too I suppose, but why? And the reason that it has 120V receptacles for 240V is so that you can rewire a 120V muti-tap ballast for 240V and you don't have to replace the plug. Good idea, I stole it and use it myself, it saves alot of time if you have alot of ballasts.

 

[dbcooper]

Yeah first saw those from another company/sentinel or that advertised in maximum yield, hoping for a 4 outlet with an untimed 120 version instead haven't look at all of caps stuff yet.