Just got a FlipBox

[coldcanna]

As the title reads I just opened up my brand new FlipBox and can't wait to get it plugged in. I'm wondering if some of you experts out there might be able to clear something up for me. I want the box to flip 2 600 watt bulbs on opposite ends of my flower room, so 6 hours each. The instruction manual states that when plugged into a normal timer Bulb A works when the timer is OFF and Bulb B works when the timer is ON. So going with this that means that one bulb would be on 6 hours and the other for 18. Does anybody know how to set up a timing system so I can pull off 6 hours light A, 6 hours light B, then 12 hours off?

 

[rives]

It sounds as though you will need a second timer and a relay large enough to handle the power going to the flip box if they haven't given you more control alternatives then that. With the external timer/power relay, the power feeding the flip box would be controlled to give you your overall 12/12 cycle. Then, within the active 12-hour cycle, the other timer would be used to split the active duration between the two lights. For this to work, the second timer would need to be powered all of the time, and not switched be off when the 1st timer was in the off cycle.

Do you have a specific model number or link, I might be able to be of more help.

 

[coldcanna]

http://www.powerboxinc.com/flipbox.html


I have two of these flips. Is it just me or would double timers be asking for trouble from an electrical fire stand point?

 

[rives]

Okay, it works like I thought. You will need some type of controller to switch the ballast on & off just like you would do without the flip. Then, during the light portion of the cycle, the timer for the flip will do it's thing. And to complicate things even more, some electronic ballasts don't like a hot flip (leaving the ballast energized while switching), so the light controller would want to be turned off while the flip changes from one lamp to the other, and then power the ballast back up.

The double timer thing isn't an issue if it is done properly - for instance, using power relays or timers that are rated for ballast applications. The latter are extremely rare in electronic timers, but timers like the Intermatic T-101 would work well. However, mechanical timers like the T-101 are going to be very difficult to get coordinated with the flip, and the first time the power goes off you will be fighting to get them back where you want them.

 

[coldcanna]

Thanks for the input Rives, looks like at this point itd be less of a headache to just go buy another 600w ballast and shelf the flip until flower room 2 is up and running.