Wall timer smoked my MH ballast again !!^&%!^!*&%!&a

[trigger0214]

Well,

I recently hooked up a in-well timmer near my tank to run my 250 watt MH. I had worked fine for a couple of weeks. However, today, it filled my house with smoke.

Although, I am no electrician...I suspect there is something bunk with the timmer feeding a lower current until it kicks in fully...as I have seen fans plugged in there that 'sort of' spin for bit, until kicking in fully.

So...that's the 2nd ballast on that damned thing......(first was right away)

So....can I replace the wall timer? What would have fried out? Can I just get a replacement transformer thingy (technical term) and go?

Arrrggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[trigger0214]

I am going back to my tried and true Timex Heavy Duty spinner timer ($8.99) as the $20 timer has cost me $200 in ballasts!!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

What is the model of the timer? Most are mechanical/dry contact type that does not do the "soft start" like those for motor... :?

 

[trigger0214]

Intermatic?

 

[trido]

I tried a couple different timers from intermatic before I could even get one to start up my ballasts (250 icecaps and 440 icecap). The one I finally got to work was an in wall (light switch type) timer that physiclly sticks out from the wall about an inch. When it turns off and on you can hear a small motor actually flip the switch inside of it. The others seemed to just have a digital type current control which didnt give the ballasts a punch to actually start. It cost $40 and works great. If your going for looks it is the way to go. Otherwise the $8 dollar one is definately the one for you. A circuit, cord or switch that doesnt let enough current (amperage) through can cause a motor to burn out prematurely. Maybe that is your problem. Good luck

 

[trigger0214]

Well, as I turns out, the switch is entirely behind the tank (near the top).....so, I could either replace the switch with a standard 2 plug outlet and gain 2 more outlets (one for the new spare and the old light outlet)...or search for a better looking option.

I have discoverd that I really need more than 8 oultets for my tank.....sick no? (i have also learned that my tank and MYSELF consume the kilowatts of a family of three....lol)

I like the in wall digital timmer option as I have a manual override until the end of the next cycle (versus the 20 min intervals of the turn style...which can suck for MH's...)

So...I guess I need to do some homework....

Thanks guys....

 

[Anonymous]

You know, if we have a list of timers that work, and a list that to avoid, maybe we can save others time in the future.

Some digital/electronic/solid-state timer seem to have more issue than those that use a mechanical contact or electrically controlled relay when it come to high wattage device like ballast.

 

[LA-Lawman]

I agree. I lost my first ballst a week ago to a b/o intermatic timer.... I run three 250w MH/s on one timer and i blow timers once a month. but i do not have a better solution.

I hear that leviton makes a real nice timer. i think smontanus uses one on his tank. i think i have the info. the timer is $65ea....

 

[LA-Lawman]

here it is....

http://www.smarthome.com/1122.html

 

[trigger0214]

well, I am glad that I am not the only one who has been through this......after all, IT'S A FRICKIN LIGHT BULB!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

>....after all, IT'S A FRICKIN LIGHT BULB!!!!

Did your SO ever exclaimed something like... "how much you pay for that FRICKIN LIGHT BULB?!!!?!"

 

[Anonymous]

I agree. I lost my first ballst a week ago to a b/o intermatic timer.... I run three 250w MH/s on one timer and i blow timers once a month. but i do not have a better solution.

I hear that leviton makes a real nice timer. i think smontanus uses one on his tank. i think i have the info. the timer is $65ea....

If you want a timer that will hold up, get a hot water heater timer. They are used to save energy on electric water heaters and can handle 40 amps at 220 volts.

 

[Anonymous]

>....after all, IT'S A FRICKIN LIGHT BULB!!!!

Did your SO ever exclaimed something like... "how much you pay for that FRICKIN LIGHT BULB?!!!?!"

Been there done that...and that was with a "cheap" Reeflux bulb, only $60