Hydrofarm Timer not working with Digital Ballast?

[fireburner23]

I bought myself two Hydrofarm Dual Outlet Digital 7-Day Timers and they don't work properly with my 400w digital ballast. They don't seem to activate the digital ballasts, I have to unplug and plug it back in several times before the digital ballast lights the bulb.

Is anybody else having problems with their Hydrofarm timer? I need a reliable timer that turns these lights on and off properly.

 

[FlaDankster]

Do a google search on digital timers and house fires.......you might change your mind on usin a digital timer.

FD

 

[fireburner23]

I am having the same problem as this guy from another forum. http://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/191086-light-wont-fire-when-using-2.html

 

[fireburner23]

Do a google search on digital timers and house fires.......you might change your mind on usin a digital timer.

FD

If your saying that hydrofarm timers aren't good, then what does everyone else use?

 

[Mickymouse]

Go to a electrical store and get a 20 amp apppliance timer.

 

[fireburner23]

I think it is the bulb. These hydrofarm digital timers are pretty good. I will swap out the bulb and see what happens.

The one thing I think may have helped is me programming all 8 of the spots. I only had number 1 spot programmed and I think I needed to have it all program. Who knows, this kind of stuff is a crap shoot.

 

[billspreston]

I thought the same thing when I first started but it was really just my Lumatek ballast taking some time to initially fire up the bulb. If you wait a minute or two does the bulb still not light? Unplugging/replugging seemed to speed up this process, but my hydrofarm timer hasn't failed me yet.

 

[Dude Man]

Lumatek won't fire all bulbs.

I had some issues with mine a few years ago.

 

[fireburner23]

Lumatek won't fire all bulbs.

I had some issues with mine a few years ago.

Did you have the Lumatek purple version? I heard previous versions of Lumatek didn't work very well with many bulbs. Although, from what I have read in the various forums, most of those issues should have been taken care of.

Is there any evidence to suggest to the contrary?

 

[fireburner23]

I thought the same thing when I first started but it was really just my Lumatek ballast taking some time to initially fire up the bulb. If you wait a minute or two does the bulb still not light? Unplugging/replugging seemed to speed up this process, but my hydrofarm timer hasn't failed me yet.

Yeah, the bulbs doesn't seem to fire up. I'll have the light supposed to go on at 4pm, but I'll get home from work and find out the bulb hasn't turned on at all, but the little red light will be on.

The last few days the bulb has been turning on.

My supplier has sent me a UPS return tag, I am going to swap out my blue EYE bulb for the HPS. I don't have anything else right now, so I guess some light is better than no light.

 

[funkervogt]

Ive gone through 3 different timers on my Lumatek Ballast - the purple one, same as you. My last timer was a top-of-the-line dual mechanical timer from Sunleaves.

The only one that works is an Intermatic mechanical timer. It's tried and true, but has no ground, which scares the shit out of me. But it works. It's the only one that has ever worked on my Lumatek digital bullshit ballast. Sorry, I hate my ballast.

 

[Dude Man]

no it was an older model

 

[guest456mpy]

funkervogt,
Intermatic makes an appliance mechanical timer that has a grounded outlet, so you can grab one and feel good about your solid performance.

Intermatic appliance grounded timers

Mine has lasted since 1988, but I'm gonna replace it 'cause the motors getting a it noisier these last few grows (LOL).

 

[unclefester2u]

I have been using the 240v intermatic timer with a 1000 mag ballast + hps bulb with no problems at all. Also have a 600 watt digital galaxy hps using the same no problems.

 

[fireburner23]

Hmm....good points.

 

[billspreston]

Did you have the Lumatek purple version? I heard previous versions of Lumatek didn't work very well with many bulbs. Although, from what I have read in the various forums, most of those issues should have been taken care of.

Is there any evidence to suggest to the contrary?

Yeah I've heard the Lumateks don't work well with Eye Hortilux bulbs. My guy recommended Ushio bulbs for Lumatek and it has worked really well for me. Maybe a bulb change will fix your problems, sounds like you're on the right track man good luck!