ballast flip flop

[gmanwho]

Hey all, love the info. I am quite handy myself, and this seems like the thread to post this idea.

Back in the OG days, there was this thread of a dutch grower who used to flip flop his lights in the same room. meaning there was one 12 hr timer powering the ballast, then another timer flipping the ballast output from bulb 1 to 2, every 3 to 4 hours.

So 2 ballasts 4 bulbs, or 3 ballast 6 bulbs etc. on a 4 bulb setup 2 ballast the first 3 hrs bulb 1 & 3 run, next3hrs bulb 2 & 4 run etc.. While 1 & 3 are running, the area of bulb 2 & 4 are getting low light, not darkness. With the proper room setup and refracting the walls, this could work great

Reason, i would benefit myself, or certain others if the situation was correct.

He showed it worked fantastic. There was some light yield loss. But Back then i didint know much and wish i could find that lost thread.

With some modifications, do u think this is possible with digi ballasts, or evne magnetic? Would the " spike " be to great since the ballast never gives the bulbs proper startup? Even if bulbs lasted 2 grows, it would be worth it in my eyes.

Hummm , hope i started the wheels turning on this one.

B-safe..

 

[Pactivist]

gmanwho, your post is exactly what I am building. When I am finished I will be running 6-400w lights on 3 ballasts in one room. I got into a little disagreement in the chat room about this, I think that they thought that I was going from 2400w full time to alternating 1200w to save electric, and this is not the case. Actually, I will be going from 1200w full time to 1200w x 2 or 2400w/2, same electricity, same amount of light at any one time, but from different angles. More or less an electric light mover. There is absolutely NO way that my harvest weight will go down using this method, so the only way to go is up!!! I will be getting the parts soon - and I plan a DIY thread with full details (something the others seem to be lacking) and many pics on my build. Much of my equipment is McGyver'd together and this will be no different, but every piece I've built is 100% safe, helps if you have some understanding of electricity.
I've found a place with all of the parts needed to build a flip-flop box here is a link.
http://web4.automationdirect.com/adc/Home/Home Many things that an amateur McGyverer could use.
peAce,
pacT

 

[00420]

just some fyi on ballast

In high-intensity discharge lamps, light is generated when an electric current is passed through gaseous medium. The lamps have variable resistance characteristics that require operation in conjunction with a ballast to provide appropriate voltage and current limiting means. Control of the voltage, frequency, and current supply to the lamps is necessary for proper operation and determines the efficiency of the lamps. In particular, it determines the size and weight of the required ballast.

The appropriate voltage, frequency and current for efficient running of a lamp in its normal operating state is not appropriate for the lamp during its warm-up state. A high-intensity lamp typically takes several minutes to warm up from the time it is struck or turned on to its normal operating state. Initially, the lamp is an open circuit. Short pulses of current are sufficient to strike the lamp, provided they are of adequate voltage. Subsequent to striking, the lamp's resistance drops radically. The resistance then slowly rises during warm-up to its normal operating level. Hence, subsequent to striking and during warm-up the current of the lamp must be limited to prevent internal lamp damage.

Ballasts for high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps must be somewhat different from ballasts for other types of high intensity discharge lamps. First, the voltage required to strike a HPS lamp is much greater than that needed for other types of lamps. A short duration voltage pulse of over 2000 volts is needed for lower-wattage HPS lamps, and about 3000 volts is needed for 1000 watt HPS lamps. The need for a high voltage striking pulse typically requires a special starting circuit.

Second, it is a characteristic of a HPS lamp that its lamp voltage increases over the life of the lamp due to the slow increase in the stabilized temperature of its arc tube. Unless the HPS ballast maintains the lamp wattage, the HPS lamp output will vary beyond acceptable limits.

Summary of the Invention:

An electronic ballast is taught for 55 volt, pressure sodium (HPS) lamps in wattages of 35W to 250W and higher.

The ballast is powered by 115 volts, 50-60 hertz, alternating current. The input alternating current is rectified so that 160V of DC current powers the lamp. The ballast maintains constant wattage to the lamp by using a known, reference lamp voltage at a specified current and a current integration feedback loo , which monitors the lamp current and varies the time period of the DC current pulse to the lamp.

The ballast has a striker circuit that uses a high voltage induction coil to develop a 2300 volt, 1 microsecond pulse to strike the sodium lamp.

The ballast according to the present invention maintains a constant line wattage by maintaining constant wattage in the lamp and by using a circuit configuration that yields a ballast efficiency (power out/power in) of greater than 90%. That is, the power dissipated by the ballast is less than 10% of the input power.

SUBSTITUTE

Line voltage variations of ± 10% result in lam wattage variations of only ± 1.0%, and line wattag variations of less than ±1.0%.

Prior art wire iron constant wattage ballast typically have ±5% line wattage variations when the lin voltage varies by ± 10%. Therefore, it is apparent that th present invention achieves line wattage variations which ar much less than such prior art devices.

The present invention also maintains a constan lamp wattage by maintaining a constant, regulated current i the lamp circuit. The lamp circuit current is regulated b the current feedback loop as described herein. The voltag across the lamp is constant at the- regulated current, resulting in a constant lamp wattage.

The ballast also has an undervoltage protectio circuit, a voltage spike protector, and a radio frequenc interference (RFI) filter.

Since the ballast provides very pure direct current to the lamp, the lamp does not have the strobe effect typical of lamps powered by alternating current. This makes the present invention particularly suitable for lighting of sporting events and work areas having fast moving equipment.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an AC line-powered ballast for HPS lamps whereby line wattage is kept constant without use of special circuitry.

It is another feature of the present invention to precisely regulate the input signal to the ballast by using a RFI filter and undervoltage and voltage spike protection circuits.

It is another feature of the present invention that the high voltage striker circuit is only active when both the ambient light is below a reference value and the lamp is not lit. Further, the striker circuit operates on a predetermined on/off time cycle.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

These and other features of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the drawings and the detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the control sequences of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 2A and 2B are circuit diagrams of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of pulse width modu¬ lation subcircuit 52.

Detailed Description:

Fig. 1 illustrates in a schematic block diagram fashion the elements of a preferred embodiment of the ballast.

T re scheme assumes an input of alternating current, preferably 115 VAC.

A spike protector 10 prevents intermittent high voltages or spikes from reaching the ballast. Also, the ballast contains a radio frequency interference (RFI) filter 11 to prevent RFI signals generated by the ballast from being picked up on the power line. RFI filter 11 is comprised of capacitors 55, 56 and 57, and inductors 82 and 83. See Fig. 2A.

Bridge rectifier 12, in combination with capacitor 58, then rectifies the alternating current in a traditional fashion into direct current waves of 160 VDC.

Low voltage power supply 13 , fed by input from rectifier 12, supplies 15 volts of direct current to oscillator 14, dead time controller 15, and pulse width modulator 16. Low voltage supply 13 is comprised of resistor 88, capacitor 59, and 15 volt zener diode 66. See Fig. 2A.

SUSSTITUTs €51 ?-™

Undervoltage protector 27 shuts off current t lamp 23 in the event that the input line voltage drops belo a safe limit.

Referring again to Fig. 1, oscillator 14, dea time controller 15, and pulse width modulator 16, togethe with switch control 18 form the means for driving hexfe switches 17A and 17B.

The ballast also contains a 5 VDC reference powe supply 54 internal to subcircuit 52. See. Fig. 2A.

The frequency of oscillator 14 determines th frequency of the direct current pulses in the lamp circuit The high frequency wave formed by oscillator 14 is supplie to dead time controller 15 and pulse width modulator 16 Pulse width modulator 16 is also supplied with input from current integration feedback loop 19 and from ambient ligh sensor 20. Based upon the current sensed by current senso 22A, current integration feedback loop 19 determines whethe the current to hexfets 17A and 17B exceeds a referenc value. If so, loop 19 sends a signal to pulse widt modulator 16 causing it to vary its output signa accordingly.

Ambient light sensor 20 senses the amount of ligh present in the surroundings and sends a signal to puls width modulator 16, causing it to output a zero pulse if th sensed amount of ambient light is greater than a fixe value. This turns off lamp 23. Ambient light sensor 20 does not affect the output of pulse width modulator 16 i the ambient light is greater than the fixed value.

When ambient light sensor 20 detects that the ambient light is below the fixed value, dead time controller 15 produces a modulated output signal that corresponds to a maximum duty cycle of slightly less than 100 percent. Dead time controller 15 provides a dead time between the direct current waves .

Switch control 18 combines the outputs of dead time controller 15 and pulse width modulator 16, and sends the wave forms to hexfets 17A and 17B.

SUBSTITUTESH

Switch control 18 also controls the time period at which hexfets 17A and 17B ire switched on and off. This frequency corresponds to the frequency of oscillator 14.

Due to the nature of HPS lamp 23, it is necessary to include a striker circuit 24 which, in combination with high voltage induction coil 25, outputs a high voltage, short duration pulse sufficient to strike HPS lamp 23. In a preferred embodiment, striker circuit 24 and coil 25 output a 2300 volt 1 microsecond pulse for a 150 watt ballast.

Figs. 2A and 2B represent a more detailed diagram for the preferred embodiment of the ballast depicted in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2A, the ballast utilizes a pulse width control subcircuit 52. One suitable, commercially available IC chip is a Motorola TL 494. Use of the TL 494 is convenient but not necessary. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of subcircuit 52, using a TL 494 IC chip. As shown by Fig. 3 , subcircuit 52 includes the following components:

1. Pulse width modulator 16;

2. On chip oscillator 14;

3. Two user available operational amplifiers, error amplifiers 86 and 87;

4. An internal 5 VDC reference power supply 54;

5. Variable dead time controller 15. Flip-flop 53 depicted in Fig. 3 is disabled by grounding pin 13 (Fig. 2A) . This permits the TL 494 to be used for the single-ended operation mode (i.e., as opposed to its push-pull operating mode) to drive the single output-drive switching hexfet. Referring to Fig. 2A, the grounding of pin 13 of subcircuit 52 causes the output pulse train of the two output transistors 104 and 105 to operate in parallel.

The frequency of oscillator 14 is controlled- by resistor 38 and capacitor 62. Oscillator 14 develops a frequency equal to

1.1 RC

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

which, in a preferred embodiment, equals 72 kilocycles pe second. This frequency corresponds to a repetitive perio of 13.88 microseconds.

The output at pins 9 and 10 of subcircuit 52 is 1 VDC. The collectors of output transistors 104 and 105 ar connected to the 15 VDC power supply. The emitter o transistors 104 and 105 develops a 15 VDC signal at pins and 10 of subcircuit 52. The period of this signa corresponds to 95% of the repetitive period of oscillato 14. Dead time controller 15 limits the maximum period o the +15 VDC signal at pins 9 and 10 to 52% of the repetitiv period of oscillator 14, or 7,2 microseconds. Erro amplifiers 86 and 87 (See Fig. 3) are used to control th maximum pulse width of this 7.2 microsecond signal.

Error amplifier 87 operates as a Schmitt trigge and performs the function of an on/off switch. Its outpu voltage is a function of the input from a voltage divide containing ambient light sensor 20. Error amplifier 8 turns pulse width modulator 16 to an "off" state whe ambient light sensor 20 senses that it is not dark outside Error amplifier 87 does not affect the output of pulse widt modulator 16 at all when it is dark outside.

A current integration feedback loop 19 is used t control the current to the lamp.. Feedback loop 19 operate in the following manner. Error amplifier 86 senses th voltage developed across resistor 50. Referring to- Figs. 2 and 3, this voltage is integrated by means of resistors 2 and 29, diode 67, and capacitor 60. The junction o resistors 28 and 29 is connected to the + input of erro amplifier 86. The - input of error amplifier 86 i connected to the voltage developed across resistor 37, whic is the reference voltage. This reference voltage is used t set the root-mean-square (RMS) current in the lamp circuit. Error amplifier 86 controls the period of the 7.2 microsecond pulse from zero to 7.2 microseconds, thereb controlling the current flowing in the lamp circuit.

i§1 ΠTTUTE SHEE

The +15 VDC signal at pins 9 and 10 of subcircuit 52 is also used to drive the gates of hexfet switches 17A and 17B, causing them to go into conduction. See Fig. 2B. When the signal at pin 9 is reduced to zero, output transistor 71 conducts, thereby discharging the internal gate capacitances of hexfets 17A and 17B. This configura¬ tion generates turn-off times for hexfets 17A and 17B of 100 nanoseconds or less, resulting in minimum switching power dissipation by hexfets 17A and 17B.

As stated above, ballasts for high pressure sodium lamps require a special striker circuit to strike the lamp. Striker circuit 24 of the present invention operates in the following manner. Referring to Fig. 2B, unijunction transistor 74 and transistor 76 comprise a relaxation oscillator, where capacitor 63 charges through resistor 37 until the firing voltage of transistor 74 is reached. When transistor 74 conducts, it discharges capacitor 63. This causes the base of transistor 76 to go negative, thereby^ turning it off. The period of the relaxation oscillator is approximately 6 seconds. The off time of transistor 76 is

50 milliseconds. Transistor 75 is normally on, thereby stopping the relaxation oscillator.

Transistor 75 starts the relaxation oscillator when pin 3 of subcircuit 52 is zero volts. Pin 3 is only zero volts when the sky is dark and lamp 23 is not con¬ ducting. When pin 3 goes to zero volts, transistor 75 goes out of conduction, thereby starting the 6 second relaxation oscillator.

Transistor 77 gets an input signal from pins 9 and 10 of subcircuit 52. This circuit is shorted to common by transistor 76, which turns off for 50 milliseconds for every

6 second period of the relaxation oscillator.

When transistor 76 goes off, transistor 77 turns on. This turns off transistor 78 for 2.5 microseconds, as controlled by the following time constant:

Time Constant = C x R x .693

SUBSTITUTESHEET

where

C is the value of capacitor 64 R is the value of resistor 48

The turning off of transistor 78 and the action o emitter follower 102 causes hexfet 79 to turn on, puttin high current in the primary winding of high voltag induction coil 25. When hexfet 79 turns off, the magneti field in the primary winding of coil 25 collapses, causin the rapid development of greater than 2000 volts (negative) coupled through capacitor 100 on the high voltage side o lamp 23. Inductor 101 decouples the high voltage pulse fro the power supply. This causes lamp 23 to strike. This striking pulse occurs while hexfets 17A and 17B are conducting, thereby keeping lamp 23 in conduction.

When the current in the lamp circuit increases, pin 3 of subcircuit 52 goes to positive 2.5 volts, causing the 6 second relaxation oscillator to stop.

Current to lamp 23 is provided by the lamp circuit by use of a step down converter or down switcher as discussed below. When lamp 23 is not conducting, capacitor 65 charges to 160 volts. After lamp 23 is struck as discussed above, it goes into conduction.

Hexfets 17A and 17B are used to switch 160 VDC across inductor 80 and lamp 23 in repetitive cycles. Although the use of hexfet switches is discussed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of switches may be suitable. These repetitive cycles result in a linear ramp current in inductor 80 that reaches a known peak valve which depends upon the lamp manufacturer's recommended magnitude. Error amplifier 86 (Fig. 3) senses whether the peak current has been reached. If it has been reached, error amplifier 86 causes pins 9 and 10 of subcircuit 52 to go to zero, which drives hexfets 17A and 17B out of conduction. Thus, the regulated current to lamp 23 is kept constant, so that the bulb wattage is also

SHE

-in¬

constant. This regulated current does not change if the line voltage varies from 100 to 120 VAC.

When hexfets 17A and 17B go out of conduction, the magnetic field that was created in inductor 80 collapses, causing the anode of diode 69 to go positive. This discharges inductor 80 through capacitor 65 and lamp 23.

Since inductor 80 is now discharged, it is ready to receive more current. Capacitor 65 filters the voltage across lamp 23 and also provides inductor 80 with a return path if lamp 23 goes out of conduction.

The ballast of the present invention also has an undervoltage protector 27. The purpose of undervoltage protector 27 is to prevent damage to hexfets 17A and 17B in the event that the input line voltage drops to a point where the output of low voltage power supply .13 would also drop. At that point, the voltage to the gates of hexfets 17A and 17B would be reduced when they are under a full current load, resulting in such increased power dissipation by hexfets 17A and 17B as to possibly destroy them.

Undervoltage protector 27 operates as follows. Referring to Fig. 2A, when the voltage across zener diode 66 drops to a dangerously low level, transistor 70 conducts. This brings pin 4 of subcircuit 52 to +5 volts, which, by dead time control, reduces the repetitive period of the lamp's duty cycle to zero. This cuts off all current to lamp 23. The hot sodium lamp cannot relight at this point due to "sodium dip"; that is, the sodium lamp's striking voltage is then greater then the voltage that the circuit is able to supply.

The ballast described herein is able to achieve efficiencies of greater than 90%. At the same time, the input line wattage remains constant to within ± 2.5%, even though the line voltage varies by ± 10%.

The following example illustrates typical values that may be achieved by the present invention:

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

EXAMPLE

Ballast Rat. ing - 70 watts

Input Power (optimal) - 78 watts

Lamp : Power (optimal) - 70 watts

Line Line Lamp Ballast Ballas t % Deviation % Deviation

Input Wattage Wattage Efficiency Wattage of Input of Lamp

Vol tage % Line Watts Wattage

110VAC 78. 2 70. 85 90.6 7.35 0 0

120VAC 79 71.79 90.8 7. 21 +1.02 +1.32

100VAC 78. 3 70.54 90.0 7. 76 +0. 127 -0.437

Several elements or features of the present inventio contribute to its high efficiency. These include th following:

A. The use of a step down or buck converte circuit to apply power to the lamp. A step down convert er, like that used in the present invention, requires muc less current .to power the lamp. For example, when th present invention is used to power a 70 watt, 55 volt HP lamp, the average current drawn from the power supply i only about 35% of the current through the lamp. It i thus apparent that the use of a step down converter re sults in a higher ballast efficiency.

The particular elements of the step down converte circuit that contribute to its efficiency include the us of:

1) One magnetic element or inductor 80;

2) A single switching element, which may be wire in parallel for higher current capability;

3) Current integration feedback loop 19 to regulat the current in the lamp circuit;

4) A diode 69 connected from the output of hexfe switches 17A and 17B to the power supply;

5) A capacitor 65 across the load, lamp 23;

6) An operating frequency in the range of 65 to 75 kilocycles per second.

IBSTITUTE SHEET

B. The use of hexfet or mosfet switches to switch current through the lamp. Such switches require very small amounts of power to turn them on and off. Bipolar switching devices would have difficulty achieving an efficiency similar to that of a hexfet or mosfet switch.

C. The use of a drum core inductor 80 having multiple strands of Litz wire for increased efficiency.

D. The use of an integrated circuit for pulse width control subcircuit 52. The integrated circuit requires very little power.

E. The use of a switching element whose total on time is less than 40% when operated with a 160 VDC power supply. The two switches used in a typical push-pull electronic ballast each have an on time of slightly less than 50%, for a total on time of nearly 100%.

F. The peak current in the hexfet switches 17A and 17B and in inductor 80 is about two times the average current through the lamp.

 

[DB2004]

To turn ballasts off and on before and after the 12/12 flip cycle, just use a 4 output PLC, SIEMENS LOGO are great for that. I've built many Flips with PLCs to control the light switching. Custom Flips using Hydrofarm and Sunlight System ballasts are available.

Best Regards

DB2004

 

[Pactivist]

man after reading that post from 00420 i now have a raging headache, but... we know that flip flop controllers work - whether they shorten the life span of the lights is immaterial, now if they cause the ballasts to burn out prematurely then that might be another matter, but they do work as many working flip flop controllers in many rooms proove.
So does anyone have any information relating to flip flop controllers, and bulb or ballast wear? I might not even care if they caused a ballasts life to be cut in half, I can rebuild them myself quite cheaply, and the return in buds would be worth it I'm sure. but if someone who has actually been using one for awhile would chime in I would appreciate it.

 

[Sad247summer]

Yeah..... A 1000w ballast is still drawing a bit of power even if the lamp is not lit We know this because the ballast still gets HOT.
Thx for the info on the DIGIs needing turned off
So there is no Almost ZERO spike in your current draw Check it with a meter or even better look outside @ the meter on your house/apt
I have never seen a ballast break as a result of using a flip flop, I have however seen ballasts wear out after 1-2 years of 24/7 use because ardtard forgot to give em a rest every coupla weeks.
As far as bulb wear and tear flipping the light to the other bulb is not the same as "warm startup" the bulbs do not sit all dim and haggard looking when the power is fliped they turn right on just like a cold start.
turning your ballast off and on without letting the lamp cool will kill your bulbs and ballast IMO.
THis is getting to be a great read!!
I will try and get a single ballast 2 lamp Flip Flop drawn out with step by step PIX.
On a side note it is nice to see how far "flip flops" have come When I first got the idea all I was told for years on OG was "you cant have 2 lamps on 1 ballast" and that was that, then I saw the HIGH TIMES article then I took matters into my own hands t about the same time many others on OG did as well.

 

[HenDokuYaku]

Yeah..... A 1000w ballast is still drawing a bit of power even if the lamp is not lit We know this because the ballast still gets HOT.
Thx for the info on the DIGIs needing turned off
So there is no Almost ZERO spike in your current draw Check it with a meter or even better look outside @ the meter on your house/apt
I have never seen a ballast break as a result of using a flip flop, I have however seen ballasts wear out after 1-2 years of 24/7 use because ardtard forgot to give em a rest every coupla weeks.
As far as bulb wear and tear flipping the light to the other bulb is not the same as "warm startup" the bulbs do not sit all dim and haggard looking when the power is fliped they turn right on just like a cold start.
turning your ballast off and on without letting the lamp cool will kill your bulbs and ballast IMO.
THis is getting to be a great read!!
I will try and get a single ballast 2 lamp Flip Flop drawn out with step by step PIX.
On a side note it is nice to see how far "flip flops" have come When I first got the idea all I was told for years on OG was "you cant have 2 lamps on 1 ballast" and that was that, then I saw the HIGH TIMES article then I took matters into my own hands t about the same time many others on OG did as well.

Thanks for your effort. When you work out the design for us, could you make a note what adjustments we would need to make if it was a 2 ballast 4 light flip? I'm guessing you would just use a dpdt relay and it will be self explanatory? Also, could you show us how to make a 240v version as well as the 120?

Thanks!

 

[00420]

sry guys i will not be able to get pics and do a step by step untell monday now...
i went to where the one i have is and tryed but with 10 relays in one box it was just imposable to do it with out taking it apart. i did how ever order 2 relays for some 175mh's that i have and i been wanting to do this to the place intown that i get them from did not have them in stock so monday i will get them..... sry i was hopping that they would have this done by the weekend for you i will call around to a few place today n see if i can find some to have it up earlyer....

 

[yamaha_1fan]

sry guys i will not be able to get pics and do a step by step untell monday now...
i went to where the one i have is and tryed but with 10 relays in one box it was just imposable to do it with out taking it apart. i did how ever order 2 relays for some 175mh's that i have and i been wanting to do this to the place intown that i get them from did not have them in stock so monday i will get them..... sry i was hopping that they would have this done by the weekend for you i will call around to a few place today n see if i can find some to have it up earlyer....

u lying bastard !!!! You promised us

LOL Take your time man. You are doing everyone a favor by making a DIY tutorial and we will wait until its ready.

I am still trying to wrap my head around that long ass post.

 

[00420]

relays did not come in on monday so i hope they get in today...

 

[cocktail frank]

BFL,
you know if you need help w/ something, you should come to frank.
we take care of our own here.

 

[HenDokuYaku]

What happened to the updates and diy tutorial?

bump bump....

 

[Texas Kid]

Here is the state of the art right now in the industry, these cats have the nano-second relay technology down tho a science.

www.hidsmart.com

Badass stuff for sure

Tex

 

[DB2004]

Here is the state of the art right now in the industry, these cats have the nano-second relay technology down tho a science.
www.hidsmart.com



Have fun cutting all your Hydrofarm or Sunlight ballast lampcord ends to attach those IEC connectors. Having 60 cords all that close together on a 20 ballast flip that close togther is a mess. As for the nanosecond relay, that's impossible. No electro-mechanical relay can swtich that fast, whether the coil is being energized or de-energized. The only way to possibly switch quicker than electro-mechanical is to use solid state relays. Why not have a flip built to meet your needs and the ballasts you are using. As for using with digital ballasts, I'd like to see that. If you ever buy one of these units, I suggest opening it up and having a look at the relays they use. The delay feature is nothing new, PLCs do the same thing.

Best Regards

DB

 

[Wayzer]

well I've built a few flip flops... all for 1000w ballasts, not digital. i got some pics of the one i'm using right now, its for 2 ballasts to 4 lights. i made an 8x8x8 foot frame and split it in 2, light proofed it and went from 2kw to 4kw without buying 2 more ballasts.... i have some pics for you, i'm going to explain a few things first... the main thing for me is veg. i don't have a veg room, so i veg and flower in the same room, so because i run the flip i always veg under 24/0. instead of running 2 lights in one room, u set the flip to operate 1 light in each room and switch every 12 hours. So u'll have light on the left side of ur room for 12 hours then on the right side for 12. when u need to go 12/12, u just switch the plugs.

the lamps are wired with a male plug, and you MUST wire the ballasts with a female plug incase of emergency and for safety precautions. this means you should have male plugs coming out of ur flip flop to connect to the balasts.



This is also helpful if u want to continue flowering on 1 side of ur room while begining to veg on the other. u lose 1 light, but i find in late flowering the less light is better. u unplug one ballast and plug it straight to the light on the veg side. what u get is 1 light on 24/0 and the other comes on every 12 hours.

ALL you really need to understand to build this is how the relay works...
at the back is where the power comes in, in this case the ballasts. then u distribute the power at the front. see there are 2 poles, when one is on the other is off. and u have the power to the coil which operates the magnet that controls which pole is getting fed the power. I think thats what ppl have a hard time with. all u do is wire the coil (the screws in the middle) with an extension cord and plug it in to a timer on 12/12. bang bang boom ur fliping and floping
hope the pics help and don't hesitate to ask for more details


please don't mind the sloppyness... it's safe !



k so first off the relay. This is what i use


the flipflop


inside




male plug to ballast


lights plug in here



big thanks to kung pow
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=35561&highlight=flip+flop

 

[Wayzer]

was just wondering if this helped u out at all bearfootlove?

 

[HenDokuYaku]

It helped me tremendously. Thanks very much, Wayzer.

 

[Wayzer]

hendokuyaku... glad it was of some use to you.


Bear... Sorry buddy, hope the other guy follows through with the step-by-step!

 

[mme_oscar]

Yo

just a thanks to all contributors...

 

[Budweiser13]

check this link for a how to on a flipflop http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=35561&highlight=flipflop........