I think i'm losing it. Save my sanity...please!

[plantsman]

So, i'm 8 months into my first proper grow. I grow perpetual SOG with a veg box for rooted clones and a flower box 4x4 with a 600hps.

Since the start I have had numerous problems (wrong soil, PH issues, hard water probs, nit def, mag def, root disease, clones not rooting, stunted growth, plants maturing with 1 joint of dried product, humidity probs, massive heat probs etc etc etc). Seriously, I have spent so many £'s and am still having to go see a dealer to keep myself in smoke...8 MONTHS IN!! I can just a bout handle it cos now I have really frosty, dank smelly buds coming out and finally all the above problems are sorted. I now have 2 plants a week going in which should be enough for me.

But 4 times now my funking timer hasn't switched off at night! After the first time I changed the timer for a new one and it worked fine for a month or two, it happened again, I changed the timer again nd now its happened AGAIN

This has happened twice in the last week and I pulled out a plant with nanners on it 2 days ago FFS.

So, I have my 600w light, one 8" and one 4" inline fan all coming off this one timer. Is it over loading?? (It says its 13(2) amps & 3120 watts) Anyway, I would have thought that if it was overloading it wouldn't work at all...or switch off... not just stay on all f'ing night!!

Thats question 1. Question 2 is should I get one of these connector things? Will that sort my problem out?

The timers I use are pretty basic mechanical ones from B&Q (like Home Depot for my US cousins).

I just dont know if I can trust any timer. But loads of people on here seem to do just fine using them. I've read posts from people using digital, mechanical, cheap and expensive timers all saying they work. AM I just one unlucky SOB??

I honestly feel like I am losing my mind a bit... I never suspected it would be such hard work to medicate myself.
...please!

 

[VerdantGreen]

hi plantsman - you need a lighting controller. the nice man at greens said to me these are pretty essential as sooner or later the timer will fail and your lights will stay on. i was a little dubious at the time but i know now he was right from other stuff i have read
to do with the high loads of hps lights - you still use a mechanical timer as well. hope it's ok to post a link.

http://www.greenshorticulture.co.uk/Grow-Lights-182/Accessories-287/

good luck

V.

 

[ojd]

yes you will need a light controller(releay)

i use a b@q timer pluged into the relay and then you wont have a problem

without the relay it melts the timer piece together just keeping the light on

so go to the local growshop get a light controller and your sorted(get a new timer as that1 is fucked now)
hope this sorts all your probs
peace

also pick of the naners caused by the light being on

 

[Bush Dr]

Spot on ojd .... in the UK a contactor is essential

 

[plantsman]

Thats excellent, thanks guys.

I'm off to get a light controller and a new timer... Then hopefully i'll be able to sleep soundly again.

It amazes me how many things are essential to a succesful grow. When i'm more of an OG grower I'm gonna produce a tick list sheet of all the essential things for the newby.

It'll be like my way of paying back a little.

Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[PLAY_mound430]

i feel your pain. lady at the hydro store tells me all the time keep it simple and i try. you would think that since it is a weed it wouldnt be too hard. wrong i have had problems since jumpstreet and i am still looking forward to my first successfull grow.

 

[plantsman]

i feel your pain. lady at the hydro store tells me all the time keep it simple and i try. you would think that since it is a weed it wouldnt be too hard. wrong i have had problems since jumpstreet and i am still looking forward to my first successfull grow.

Thanks for dropping by dude. The guy at my hydro shop says the same...keep it simple. Impossible! Maybe for a 1 hit really average crop, but not for continiuos perpetual growing over a lifetime...

Anyway, keep the faith man, its well worth it when the buds dry out. I just been to get some normal crap from a dealer and its as nice as it gets, but not even close to my fresh, organic wonderful little ladies.

Good luck man