Need Help having electrical issues !!!!

rome35

rome35

Member
Having Electrical issues

Running 6 1000 watts with the new Lumatek ballasts on 240 V through a timer with 6 guage wire going to a 50 amp breaker. Every day the 50 amp breaker pops at start up. Once I reset it, I never have a problem the rest of the cycle. My concern is that it pops on start up every time...like some type of surge. When i test the amperage after resetting the breaker it measures 27 amps. What is happening?
 
M

mrmadcow

Well-Known Member
when the ballasts first start,they will surge to double or triple the normal draw for a few miliseconds. can you split them up on 2-3 timers so they start a minute apart? that should solve your problem.
 
rome35

rome35

Member
mrmadcow said:
when the ballasts first start,they will surge to double or triple the normal draw for a few miliseconds. can you split them up on 2-3 timers so they start a minute apart? that should solve your problem.
Click to expand...
I have thought about that and that looks like my only option at this point. Thanks for the response
 
laughingduck

laughingduck

Well-Known Member
The reasonable solution to that is what Mrm said, have half of them start a minute before the other half. Gets rid of most of the surge.
 
cannatari

cannatari

Well-Known Member
Rome35, you need a Sentinel HPH-8 High Power HID Controller. They run a little over $200. I wired a room with exactly the same wire, voltage and breaker. Never had a problem. Mrmadcow is right, there is a spike in the line when all those lights strike at the same time, but it is actually the timer that is causing your breaker to pop. The Sentinel has a relay between the timer and the lights so that all of that amperage never travels through the timer, the timer only triggers the relay. Bypass your timer and see if your breaker pops when you turn everything on (using your breaker like a light switch) if your breaker pops instantly, you have bad wiring, if your breaker holds, it's the timer and you need a controller for it.
 
rome35

rome35

Member
cannatari said:
Rome35, you need a Sentinel HPH-8 High Power HID Controller. They run a little over $200. I wired a room with exactly the same wire, voltage and breaker. Never had a problem. Mrmadcow is right, there is a spike in the line when all those lights strike at the same time, but it is actually the timer that is causing your breaker to pop. The Sentinel has a relay between the timer and the lights so that all of that amperage never travels through the timer, the timer only triggers the relay. Bypass your timer and see if your breaker pops when you turn everything on (using your breaker like a light switch) if your breaker pops instantly, you have bad wiring, if your breaker holds, it's the timer and you need a controller for it.
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Thanks for the info...I am sure it is the timer because everytime I restart the lights by resetting the breaker it always stays on and never pops a second time. the issue is only at start up...when I unplug one light prior to start up by the timer the breaker does not pop so by reducing the amperage it prevents the problem.
Do you think if I increase the breaker to a 60 or 70 amp size it would stop the problem or is the surge so great I should just do what you suggest ???
 
NewGrowth

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
mrmadcow said:
when the ballasts first start,they will surge to double or triple the normal draw for a few miliseconds. can you split them up on 2-3 timers so they start a minute apart? that should solve your problem.
Click to expand...
Yep just turn them on a minute or so apart or use a couple High power realy switches to control smaller groups of them.
 
B

BehindYou

Member
Stagger the lights coming on. Use an on delay relay between your timer and a coulpe lights.
http://www.surplussales.com/relays/RETimeD-2.html
1 Minute Fixed Time Delay Relay
DPDT / 240 vac / 30 vdc / 10 amp


Enlarge Image
(KTD) SS-50522-F2M
Macromatic DPDT, 10 amp 240 vac / 30 vdc contacts, 2 minute delay on operate, 120 vac or DC control. 8 pin base. 2.4" x 1.7" x 2.9"H.
 
cannatari

cannatari

Well-Known Member
rome35 said:
Thanks for the info...I am sure it is the timer because everytime I restart the lights by resetting the breaker it always stays on and never pops a second time. the issue is only at start up...when I unplug one light prior to start up by the timer the breaker does not pop so by reducing the amperage it prevents the problem.
Do you think if I increase the breaker to a 60 or 70 amp size it would stop the problem or is the surge so great I should just do what you suggest ???
Click to expand...
The reason the timer trips your breaker is because the inside workings of the timer are not made out of anything close to the capacity of your 6ga wire. If you put a 70amp breaker in your panel, you'll be alot closer to blowing up your timer than you already are. Get the Sentinel, it's all the parts you need in one box.
 
rome35

rome35

Member
cannatari said:
The reason the timer trips your breaker is because the inside workings of the timer are not made out of anything close to the capacity of your 6ga wire. If you put a 70amp breaker in your panel, you'll be alot closer to blowing up your timer than you already are. Get the Sentinel, it's all the parts you need in one box.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch I will do that...in the mean time, I leave one ballast unplugged at start up and that seems to be working.
 
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