flip flop question? splice cables and add a female connector?

[Guest]

When i get a FLIP-FLOP light relay, do i need to splice into the cord coming FROM the ballast TO the light socket? I am assuming that i will unless the ballast has a female socket compatible with the flip flop that I'll need to. Anyone have any DIY flip flop plans? TIA, i dont like fires so i always triple check electrical stuff.

 

[Sad247summer]

Have you purchased the unit yet? They can be made for cheaper around 50$.
Neways the unit showed in you Pix I think no mods need to be made to the ballast cords. Even a home built unit can be used without cutting the OEM cords.
You wanna find a 30Amp Dual pole single throw relay. I will post some better directions/pix, also I think there is a section on Flipflops here.
Here U go
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=35561

You dont have to go the all the trouble he did an ammo can works OK but they can just be bolted to the wall.

 

[Guest]

thanks awesome info

 

[DB2004]

Have you purchased the unit yet? They can be made for cheaper around 50$.
Neways the unit showed in you Pix I think no mods need to be made to the ballast cords. Even a home built unit can be used without cutting the OEM cords.
You wanna find a 30Amp Dual pole single throw relay. I will post some better directions/pix, also I think there is a section on Flipflops here.
Here U go
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=35561

You dont have to go the all the trouble he did an ammo can works OK but they can just be bolted to the wall.

You think you can build a 4 ballast flip for "$50", good luck, I wouldn't want to use it. If you know what you're doing and have some electrical background, a basic flip (not using Sunlight or Hydrofarm lamp cords/connectors), you can probably build one for about $50 per ballast. If you want it done professionally, you should contact someones who's built Flips before....

DB2004

 

[Sad247summer]

I have built flips, Many of them all kinds too. Ones to completly do a 12/12 room flip, to using 2 ballasts to provide 12/12 to 2 rooms and 18/6 Veg in a 3rd room.
The parts are out there to be purchased, I can walk into 2 diffrent stores in AK and walk out with a 2, 4 or 8 pole relay that works with up to 30Amps @ each pole for under 25$ then order the cords to save the OEM cords so ok I lied it will be about 70$ and still work as good as the store bought one.
Some other BS pple like to say about relays is that the ballast needs to turn off when the lights "flip" NOT TRUE the ballast runs 24/7

 

[DB2004]

Flips can be so useful. Why are you using 6 or 8 pole relays. The only relay I've used or should be used, especially for 1000w ballasts, is an open frame DPDT relay, rated 30 amps 600 volts. Even the two wires from the input to the contacts is 12AWG. If you check out some of my gallery pix (Inside view of flip), you can see the style of relays I use. Cube relays will work, but eventually they'll burn out, plus they get too hot inside. I've built some flips with delay on and off for the relays. It looks kewl seeing each lamp ignite in a delayed sequence and shut off the same way......

Best Regards

DB

 

[Sad247summer]

You would use a 4-8 pole relay to run more than 1 ballast off 1 relay

 

[DB2004]

I think I understand that......... You are obviously using the wrong style of relay if you're using a 4 to 8 pole relay. If it's a cube relay, it will get very hot inside, as the metal contacts get hot and you have them enclosed in a sealed cube. Open frame relays are the "ONLY" style of relays that should be used. You should also use only one relay per ballast/2 bulbs. By using a DPDT, double pole double throw relay, you will switch the Hot and Common wires on the bulbs. Some people attach the Common wires, which is a potential hazard and would never pass any electrical code standards. As for the BS that people say about shutting off the ballasts, you need to do that with digital/electronic ballasts. I don't know what stores you know that sell Flips, but I GUARANTEE your Flips are not as good as ones I've built. You obviously have no electrical or electronics training. It's only a matter of time before one of your Flips causes a fire.


DB

 

[Sad247summer]

Skrew You!! I will not be starting a fire with "faulty equipment"
I don't remember what pole/throw the relay was it was an open relay, it was realy just 4 30a OPEN RELAYS running off 1 timer.
The rest of the flips I built were just basic normal 30a relays And yes they would be as good as your relays U build and the ones you buy @ the hydro store, Because they all use the same parts a 30A relay is a 30A relay is a 30A relay they are all the same.

 

[Guest]

Jesus people,a definate purpose lighting contactor is not worth arguing over unless you want to get into semantics.I wouldnt use an ice cube

 

[DB2004]

SKREW YOU TOO. I'd luv you to say that to my face......A definite purpose contactor is only a one way swtich ST, Single Throw. It's used to turn off and on, not relay power between two devices. People should not be giving advice on electrical unless they are qualified.

 

[Sad247summer]

I posted a link to the correct way to wire and EXACTLY what to purchase.
If someone is going to build a Flip they are gonna need to fill in ALOTA blanks no matter how good the write up is.
I like getting the general Idea out to people and I allways Post the proper link with the corect terminology/pictures.
When I first figured out how to make flips I had ZERO help, no write ups, no Training in electricity, no Nothing and You know what? 8years later and Still No fires, EVER out of the dozens I have built properly.
I'm done Soory to get off topic Stealth.
Sad

 

[Guest]

I have used DPDT relays for years and have NEVER had a problem. Those things you buy are a rip off. Its really as simple as DB says. I know nothing about Diggi Ballasts tho but with Mag ballasts no need to tuen them off, thats the beauty of the flip flop no power spikes!

 

[DB2004]

1000 watt bulbs need a spike of @ 5000 volts to ignite. The capacitor then maintains a voltage of @ 500 to 600 volts constant. Show me any relay other than the ones I use that can handle a constant 600 volts and spikes of 5000 volts. Have you ever looked at the contact points after awhile. You will see black carbon build up from the hundreds of arcs or electricity as the relay switches back and forth. You need very heavy duty contact points for this. I've said all I have to say.

DB

 

[Guest]

Gee DB you have a real problem man,I guess the definate purpose lighting contactors I use on comercial jobs to light auditoriums and such are going to burn down the building some day.Your a badass with the screw you business I've helped more people wire their growrooms on OG and here than you've probably spoken to in a civilized way bro,so if its OK with you I;ll continue helping folks with their electrical.And I wouldnt act all tuff with the screw you's and such,it really makes you look like an angry child

 

[DB2004]

Definite purpose contactors are intended for your applications. To switch between two lamps is a Flip, you need a dpdt relay, which I assume you know. As for helping people with their shows, you have no idea of whom or how many I've helped. I wasn't the first one to say screw you. Lots of people give advice on electrical, without knowing all the limits/ratings of a particular part. I'd luv to see some posts of Flips built by others....

DB

 

[Guest]

Well I've never built a flip and was just making a comment on what seemed to be a goofy semantic argument,I guess I missed all the previous screw you's although I fail to see any significance in that.I surely wont comment on any electrical thread you're involved with since its obvious you dont have any faith whatsoever in my electrical advice.Certainly not a problem with me.