timer with VHOS

[reefkprz]

is it safe for me to run a digital timer on my VHOS? I used one on my PCs the timer I bought says it is safe for use with PC,s but it doesnt say anythign about VHOS t-5s or halides its an intermatic digital timer if that helps any. I'm hesitant to use it if its going to kill my electronic start balast (icecap)

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by reefkprZ
is it safe for me to run a digital timer on my VHOS? I used one on my PCs the timer I bought says it is safe for use with PC,s but it doesnt say anythign about VHOS t-5s or halides its an intermatic digital timer if that helps any. I'm hesitant to use it if its going to kill my electronic start balast (icecap)

IceCap ballasts work fine with timers. No worries.
It's the ballast (starter) that determines if it will work with a timer, not the type of lighting.
In fact, your IceCap ballast can run PC, T5, NO, HO, etc. Pretty much any flourescent lamp.

 

[reefkprz]

thanks bangguy.
I have been getting tired of trying to remember to turn on and shut off my lights at the exact times everyday, now I can plug it into my timer and be lazy again.

 

[reefkprz]

there hooked it up to the timer I'm so happy now.
switching to VHO from pc's reduced the number of outlets I use alot, instead of three timers and 6 outlets (four individual plugs for daylight and actinic on two different fixtures, plus one plug for moonlights, and one plug for a cooling fan) I am using one timer and two outlets, PLUS the vhos are more energy efficient per watt than the PCs are.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
IceCap ballasts work fine with timers. No worries.
It's the ballast (starter) that determines if it will work with a timer, not the type of lighting.
In fact, your IceCap ballast can run PC, T5, NO, HO, etc. Pretty much any flourescent lamp.
I did not know that. I have an Icecap 660 running my vhos,and I also have 2-175 watt MH with M57 ballasts...they are ALL plugged into a SINGLE surge protector,which is plugged into a single timer. Is this a problem? Actually the other day..the one MH kept cyclying on and off..I changed out the power strip and it has been fine. What type of ballasts should you not use with a timer and why??? Thanks.

 

[ifirefight]

TTT,anybody???????/////

 

[bang guy]

Is it a heavy duty timer? That's a lot of AMPs on startup.
If it were me I's plug the MH into a different timer.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Is it a heavy duty timer? That's a lot of AMPs on startup.
If it were me I's plug the MH into a different timer.
Bang, first..thanks for answering, second ...it is a 885 joules or 45,000 amps ( maxium spike current) it says. I was NOT aware of a problem plugging MHs and VHOs into the same strip.... I have plenty of outlets,so If you recommend 2 sepperate powerstrips and 2 seperate timers thats what I,ll do. I just had not heard of a problem like that before ...and I do LOTS of reading. Im sure there are LOTS of others that are unfamiliar with this problem. Thanks for the info.

 

[bang guy]

If it were me I would use seperate outlets. I'm very conservative though.
It's just that on startup MH and VHO use some extra juice so I offset the startup on mine just to spread out the load.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
If it were me I would use seperate outlets. I'm very conservative though.
It's just that on startup MH and VHO use some extra juice so I offset the startup on mine just to spread out the load.
Sounds good to me, thats what Ill do. Thank you.

 

[townsdp]

I thought the type of ballast determined if u could use a dimmer, not a timer. I have two ARO ballasts running my 4 VHO's. Each ballast has its own timer. Never had any problem and I used to use generic flourescent ballasts from lowes for my old NO lights and they worked fine on timers as well. Interesting to know though.

 

[peckhead]

i have my 2 mh ballast plugged into 2 different times on 1 power strip. is this ok? it works fine so im guessing its ok but i dont want mess anything up???