Lighting Relay Questions

[IGrowMedicine]

Alright everybody, I want to set up a 2 rooms on a flip flop system, and was wondering what type of equipment I need,and what is recommended. The plan is 2 4000w rooms, both 12/12, switching between, using 4 ballasts for both rooms. I'm basically trying to mimic Northern Farmers setup as I'm sure some of you have seen. He uses some type of relay, but looking online I have found some name brand relay units and was wondering how they worked. My initial plan was to invest in a high amperage lighting system such as the CAP MLC-4, or the similar system from Sentinel. But is that needed when using a relay system? Doesn't the relay system provide the amperage needed to power the lights, while also switching power from room to room? Sorry for the ramble and if the questions are hard to understand. TIA.

 

[JacuzziSplot]

If you are comfortable doing some wiring you could use 2 of these http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAYTON-Relay-1EHT1 just make sure you buy the bases to. you need relays rated for 300 volts on the contacts 120 volts on the coil. Wire one room to the normally open contacts and the other room to the normally closed contacts. Then wire the timer across the coil of both relays.

 

[IGrowMedicine]

Hey thanks for your response man, but to be honest, I haven't the slightest idea when it comes to electrical. I've been reading over the sticky about wiring and such, and it will probably take me a while to take it all in.
I was thinking about something like this http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/cap-hpr1-240v-high-power-relay-p-1391.html. But I'm not sure how the hookup would go, or if that is something that woud even serve my purpose.

 

[JacuzziSplot]

Thats not what you need at all. that is just to run multiple lights off 1 timer

 

[IGrowMedicine]

Oh, alright. I actually just found this off the same website, http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/powerbox-two-light-flipbox-p-2809.html, looks like exactly what I want. And you can daisy chain them together with as many as needed. Would this be a good bet?

 

[JacuzziSplot]

ya that would work I also found this that will do all 4 http://www.progressive-growth.com/proddetail.php?prod=43015

 

[IGrowMedicine]

Hell yeah, sweet man, that's perfect. Lot easier to deal with than 4 different systems also. If I could rep you again I would. Thanks a bunch.

 

[IGrowMedicine]

Alright, well I guess I got some more questions, haha. In the link above there is nice flipper system, but it says you need a constant power source for the ballasts. Would that constant power source be something like the CAP MLC-4? You basically have your ballasts connected to that for the power source, then to the flipper? Am I right. Thanks again to anybody who can help me out.

 

[dgr]

IGrow. That just means power that's always there. A wall outlet is a constant power source as they are using the term. the power is applied to the ballasts constantly and the flip box switches between the lamps. Although with four lights, I don't think you'll be using your wall outlets.

 

[JacuzziSplot]

Alright, well I guess I got some more questions, haha. In the link above there is nice flipper system, but it says you need a constant power source for the ballasts. Would that constant power source be something like the CAP MLC-4? You basically have your ballasts connected to that for the power source, then to the flipper? Am I right. Thanks again to anybody who can help me out.

you are reading too much into it. They are just emphasizing that the ballasts need power 24/7.

You will need a separate 50 amp breaker for you lights alone. You are going to need an electrician to come in either way because the wires in your walls are too small to carry the load without the risk of melting. You could tell him you are putting in a 120v hot tub + may run an ac in the room and the breaker wouldnt raise any flags.

 

[IGrowMedicine]

Alright, thanks guys. That really helps me out. I haven't built the rooms yet, so bringing in an electrician shouldn't be too much of a big deal. A 50 amp breaker eh. I've got a couple of the Nextgen 1000w digital ballasts, and am planning on picking up some more. I know they can run either 120/ or 240 volt, and at 240 volt they are 4.5 amps a piece. That gives me a total of 18 amps. But to run them at 240 volt, do I have to have them re-wired, or is simply changing out the power cord from a 120 volt one to a 240 volt one sufficient? I also want to setup a smaller veg and mother room, thinking of 1 or 2 more 1000 watters. Should I run those off the same breaker? Or maybe branch out a seperate 20 amp breaker for the veg room? Sorry for all the questions that may seem juvenile, but I've never grown so large and want to make sure I do everything right.

 

[ShroomDr]

great link