Timers / Power / OMG FIRE?

T

Tenbag

Member
Hey all, Im doing a simple CFL grow with one 250w (6400k) and three 45w (2x 6400k + 1x 2400k) lights, each plugged into their own socket, with one fan filling in the last plug. What Im wondering is whether I can use simple timer such as this;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24-HOUR-PLUG-TIMER-240V-13A-SECURITY-LIGHTING-ETC-/290526989557?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43a4c20cf5

to switch my 250W safely and without fire, or will I have to buy a more expensive 600w model? And if I have to buy an expensive 600w timer, can I use an adapter (the two or three gang 'blocks') plugged into the device to control several lights / fans at once?

Cheers.
 
Encomium

Encomium

Active Member
So far I've had 2 "pin" type timers fail on me. One was a cheap one I bought at Home Depot and another was purchased a local Hydro shop. I almost lost my mother plant due to one of these stupid timers and was able to catch the other one before any serious issues arose. I wouldn't buy a cheap one for your lights since a failure could be pretty disastrous. If you do decide to go with it, just check what amp your light uses. If it's rated less than the 13 amps that the timer states then you should be ok.
 
T

Tenbag

Member
Thats the 600w timer I was looking at. I'm sold then, but would it be practical to run the timer directly from the wall socket, plug in the 5 gang, and let it control all the gear straight from the wall? It'd be a total of 385W of light, and 30W or so for the fan, leaving me nearly 200W under the limited 600W. I assume there is no problem with this, right?
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
I use one of the heavy duty plug and grow 600w timers to run 200w CFL, 24w T5 and 50w of fan power.


J
 
T

Tenbag

Member
Aye, I've seen those contactors, but they're a little more costly than the £13 plug and grow timer. My question about whether its acceptable to plug the timer straight in at the wall still remains unanswered, hopefully because Im being stupid, and its perfectly safe, right?
 
teutonic

teutonic

Member
Tenbag said:
Aye, I've seen those contactors, but they're a little more costly than the £13 plug and grow timer. My question about whether its acceptable to plug the timer straight in at the wall still remains unanswered, hopefully because Im being stupid, and its perfectly safe, right?
Click to expand...
straight in the wall with an extension socket for a bank of sockets should be fine. The part to consider is total load from the extension socket. Like I say, mines fine running 2 x 150 watt CFL's, those huge chunky cfl's if you know the ones i mean. Each cfl has its own power lead to the extension. But i dont run fans or owt else so i cant say what you could get away with in the way of load demand. That 21 quid jobby the other guy posted a link for looked handy.
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
i have my plug and grow setup as follows.

4way extension cord plugged into wall socket with fans running 24/7
plug and grow plugged into 1 of the sockets on the 4 way with another 4way extension cord plugged into the plug and grow with 24w T5 and 200w CFL plugged into extension cord on 18/6.

Works without issue.

I will say though that i always use surge protected extension cords and the wiring in my house is only 3yrs old and fully safety checked.



J
 
green_is_good

green_is_good

Well-Known Member
dont forget that the timer has to be able to handle the surge from the power up of the light. i think the surge is 2 or 3 times the watts of the light.
 
[420]Haze

[420]Haze

Active Member
So you are aware, its not the wattage that causes it to blow, its the amps, most standard timers will be running off 16v 6amp max. use a heavy duty 10 amp timer and you will be fine.
 
T

Tenbag

Member
Thanks for the help guys. What I'll do is get a 600w timer for my big CFL, and use a load of cheaper ones indidually for the other lights / fan. Cheers!
 
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