Timer won't start 400W HPS
Have you used this setup before or is this first time use and it hadn't worked at all?
Scientific
New Member
Yeah, a timer is pretty much just a switch.
The "Is there gas in the tank?" question is "Does the light work when you just plug it into the wall?
Then, if you plug a plain old desk lamp into the timer, does that work?
RTFM?
- Thread starter
- #4
If you plugged ballast in to power source n light comes on then it's your timer. Both mechanical and digital timers eventually fail for the most part. Timers are cheap, buy a couple so you got a backup
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- #6
I'm sorry for your troubles but like I said.....if you plugged the ballast directly to power source without the timer n it comes on then you got a bad timer.
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- #8
Scientific
New Member
When you said earlier that it was "digital timer" I assumed that you just had it programmed wrong. That's easy to do since the user interface on those things is often unintuitive and complicated.
But a mechanical one? Not much to go wrong there.
So just to be clear, your mechanical timer WILL turn a regular desk light on and off, right?
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- #10
Over the years I've used about 30 or more timers, both mechanical and digital. The mechanical timers usually outlast the battery of the digital timers. Also, I have never purchased a timer that didn't work right off the shelf.
N just for my clarity, have you plugged your ballast directly into power source? Not the timer?
Scientific
New Member
The timer will turn a desk lamp on an off correctly.
The HID lamp starts correctly when plugged directly into the wall, but not when plugged into the timer.
There's only one conclusion: the timer is somehow faulty--I would have to guess that it has bad contact that will allow enough current for a desk lamp but not enough for the HID lamp. That seems EXTREMELY unlikely, but it's the only conclusion available with the information you've given us!
Buy a new timer.
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- #14
I've tested it and wierdly, the timer did turn on the light. I'm going to wait until tomorrow 22h to see if it turns back on. (its set on a 18/6) schedule anyways. If it doesnt turn back on, i'll go to the local hydroponic store and buy a heavy duty specialized timer.
Which, lets be honest, will cost me 90$.
FML
Which, lets be honest, will cost me 90$.
FML
Just plug the ballast into the wall then unplug it when its time for lights out. It's better than letting plants sit in the dark! You don't need a 90 dollar timer for a 400 w light, I use hydrofarm digital timers for 1000w light n the only issue I ever had is when the timers battery dies.
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- #16
Welcome to the joys of cultivating your own! Plants are the same as children, ya gotta feed them n love them n get them to bed on time n once in awhile ya gotta be a slave to them if you want them to take care of ya in return one day.
Scientific
New Member
Surrender to your green masters!
Scientific
New Member
OK, one more point: there are mechanical switch contacts--metal on metal--and there are solid state switches, which are semiconductor devices (silicon controlled rectifiers or thyristors). I have a feeling that your "mechanical" timer somehow must have a newfangled solid state switch that can't handle your ballast for some reason. If that's the case, just get a cheapy clockwork mechanical timer with metal on metal contacts and you should be fine.
Good luck.
The Germinator
Well-Known Member
Couldn't resist. I mean no offense.
