is there such thing as too much power through my timer?

pablo3264

Well-Known Member
ive been using a cheap 10 dollar 24 hour timer i got from petco, its used for aquarium lights, i have it hooked up along with an extension outlet with 2 cfl's, my 150w hps, pc fan. now i wana run my bigger fan i use in my grow area with it too. is that to much or na?
 

lotsOweed

Active Member
Ya you can run too much thru em. Most are rated for 15 amps, check the box you got it in or it might say on it
 

resinousflowers

Well-Known Member
you need to use a special timer for HID lights because a standard one cannot deal with the electrical load needed.so you need a maxiswitch lightcontroller or something similiar.
 

pablo3264

Well-Known Member
i dont have the box anymore, and i cant find it at petco anymore either, not even online.. but its been working great for me so far, so ill keep it how it is. Whats the worst that can happen tho electrical fire?
 

Arsehole

Well-Known Member
i dont have the box anymore, and i cant find it at petco anymore either, not even online.. but its been working great for me so far, so ill keep it how it is. Whats the worst that can happen tho electrical fire?
Yes, if you're running more power through it then it's rated for an electrical fire is definitely possible! Most timers sold in hydro shops are rated for 15 AMPS (if you bought it at petco it's likely a 15amp) I use more than one timer, I purchased one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BPOBTY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001WP3C16&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0GKHDM42YJ20AMQVHKW7 Only to find a non branded version at Harbor Freight for less than half the price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-timer-95205.html
 

woodsmaneh!

Well-Known Member
Most cheap timer are not rated for 15 amps. Better ones are and it's always marked somewhere, what you want to do is put your hand on the timer when it turns on, if it gets warm get another timer. Also feel the cords just by the plug end where they plug into the timer, if it's warm get another timer after-all there not expensive. If you over load the timer it will show discoloration around the plug face first than will melt and catch fire. By the way if it happened and burned the place down if they discover the timer connected to all your stuff the insurance will not pay.
 
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