Turning 4 1k Lights on at once @ 220 volt risky to do
- Thread starter Merfolk
- Start date
orangejuice
Member
1 timer for 4 lights? aren't they only rated at like 15 amps? (if so you'd want 4 different timers)
are all 4 lights on the same breaker? how many amps is the breaker they are on? need to know more info to offer any advice really.
are all 4 lights on the same breaker? how many amps is the breaker they are on? need to know more info to offer any advice really.
junior_grower
Active member
those four light draw 18 amps at start-up, so if you have the 30 amp intermatic then your good to go.
If it is wired properly, it is fine.
S
sparkjumper
I would only use the WH-40 or T-103 hot water heater style timers for 4 1K fixtures
Z
ZENARCADE
If you feel like spending a few bucks those 4x1000 master light controllers are really nice! Wire 240 direct to a dedicated 30 amp breaker, plug in any 120v timer to the trigger cable, relays click over and you're good to go!!!!!!! Nice to have everything one one circuit and one timer!
M
milehighmedical
.
i was told that those caps mlc thing are not made for heavy duty loads from lights (amps for example) and are more for convenience(or all in one package etc) per my grower/caregiver electrician, he said they arent very heavy dutty instead i was told to use those heavy dutty timers meant for lights. got it at osh for 50 bucks its those intermatic time switch . min is t101. spcs 24 hour dial time switch single pole single throw 40 amp resistive, or 1000 va pilot duty 120/208/240 volt ac 2 hp (24 fla) - 120v ac 5 hp (28 fla) - 240v ac clock motor 120v 60 hz
i think the amp load on those caps are what makes it wimpy but i no expert
i think the amp load on those caps are what makes it wimpy but i no expert
G
guest
where the best place to get one of these mlc-4xt
If you have this one you're good to go, i use this one for 5 lights with out any hiccups
cheers,
red.
i have the t101 i see you pointed out to a t104. what are the differences?
If you have this one you're good to go, i use this one for 5 lights with out any hiccups
cheers,
red.
T
Teeg420
You want the cap without the built in clock because those timers go out all the time, if your timers broke you have to send in your unit thus leaving you without a load center.
Get the one with a trigger cable so you can plug it in a digital timer, incase your power goes out the digital timer has a battery in it so it doesn't lose your settings and it wont be off time.
Plus if you want to in the future you can get one of the high temp shut offs and plug the trigger cable into that then into a timer.
Get the one with a trigger cable so you can plug it in a digital timer, incase your power goes out the digital timer has a battery in it so it doesn't lose your settings and it wont be off time.
Plus if you want to in the future you can get one of the high temp shut offs and plug the trigger cable into that then into a timer.
ganjaments
Member
Meh, I'd rather use the MLC-4 and use an external timer w/trigger cord for several reasons.
First, Even with little/no loads, those mechanical timers die, and I believe that is what the XT uses. When it comes time to replace the timer, its obv easier with an external.
Second, with an external timer, you can plug in things like Hi-Temp shut off, Hot-Start delay, and all kinds of other relay boxes. You can pretty much use any kind of 120v device/switch to control your 240v lights. Also, if you ever want to add more lights, you can control multiple MLC-4's from a single timer, instead of trying to synchronize 2 built-in mechanical timers.
Third, you can get an external timer that has a battery backup in case of power outage, which I don't believe the built in timer has.
Sherwoodforest
New member
t104 is weather tight. BTW, different ballasts draw different amounts on startup. 4 thousand watt magnetic ballasts use more amps to start than 4 thousand watt Lumatek digi ballasts, which have a soft start feature.
yes the lumatek digital ballast may have a "soft start" but this is what causes issues with hortilux bulbs right? then how can i get a digital ballast that wont cause such issues? thats why i wanted to go with magnetic ballast vs a digital.
yes magnetic ballast run more amps on start up which is why i upgraded my electrical from main panel 120 i have 50 amp that runs to a 12/2 to a sub panel with 6 20 amp breakers. does this work out?
galaxy ballast is my main choice what other 1k what ballast is just as good or better and that i can use hortilux bulbs
yes magnetic ballast run more amps on start up which is why i upgraded my electrical from main panel 120 i have 50 amp that runs to a 12/2 to a sub panel with 6 20 amp breakers. does this work out?
galaxy ballast is my main choice what other 1k what ballast is just as good or better and that i can use hortilux bulbs
ganjaments
Member
do you mean you're using 12gauge wire to power your 50amp subpanel? If so, that's massively unsafe.
T
Teeg420
Fire soon to come with that kind of load on 12 gauge wire, do you have fire insurance?
The Intermatic T104 is 220V to 480V safe, the T101 is only 120V. You could safely run 7 lights on a T104.
