[Old Toker]

I have a 1000 watt magnetic ballast that I need to connect to a timer. I have an inexpensive digital timer that will power/control the ballast. BUT I've read that even though the timer is rated at enough watts to "handle" the ballast......I should actually use some kind of trip device in between the ballast and the timer. Anyone have any idea what I'm trying to describe?

I believe I saw one on Amazon and now that I need it.... I can't find it. Of course if I knew what it was actually called it might be easier to find? I'm fairly certain the one I saw had plugs instead of needing to be hard wired.

Trying not to burn down my house. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. THANKS!!!

[MTNMEN]

120V 8 Way Power Strip Mechanical Timer 8 outlet surge protector offering up to 1000 joules of protection. 4 outlets controlled by mechanical timer with 15 minute on/off increments. 5 ft power cord. 15 amp maximum load


So trying to use something like this will start a fire? i did not know that! I feel like an idiot using it on my 600's mag ballasts but i guess ive been lucky. then again i am not electrician!

[Old Toker]

Thanks for the quick response MTNMEN!

I don't think the "120V 8 Way Power Strip Mechanical Timer 8 outlet surge protector" is what I'm looking for. The device I need is like a mechanical on/off relay that is designed to handle the 1000 watts for extended periods of time. The digital timer I have could activate/deactivate this device which in turn would handle the 1000 watts of power to the ballast. I'm sorry I'm probably doing a sad job of explaining this.
Thanks again for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by MTNMEN

120V 8 Way Power Strip Mechanical Timer 8 outlet surge protector offering up to 1000 joules of protection. 4 outlets controlled by mechanical timer with 15 minute on/off increments. 5 ft power cord. 15 amp maximum load


So trying to use something like this will start a fire? i did not know that! I feel like an idiot using it on my 600's mag ballasts but i guess ive been lucky. then again i am not electrician!

[MTNMEN]

I can't wait to see this thread grow so i can learn! Everytime i hit the "new posts" section at icmag i learn something new it seems!

[Old Toker]

Originally Posted by MTNMEN

I can't wait to see this thread grow...

Lets hope that it grows before I need to plug in my 1000w ballast. Otherwise I'll have to connect it directly to my timer and that may be a little risky. Or not. I guess like most other things with our "hobby".....opinions vary. However I do try to err on the side of caution.

[cravin morehead]

Try lighting contactor with a 120v coil (or whatever voltage you are using from your timer). You can get multiple poles to connect other loads that will turn on/off with your light, like exhaust fan.

Cm

I run a 1000 watt mag ballast on a digital timer, no problem. Timer rated for 15 amps, I believe a 1000 ballast running on 120 volts, pulls approx. 8 amps.
You can use a relay, which will handle most of the load, and use the timer to trip the relay, reducing load on timer if you want.
Check with user Rives, he's pretty knowledgeable on these matters, and always gives sound advise.

[ChaosCatalunya]

Originally Posted by cravin morehead

Try lighting contactor with a 120v coil (or whatever voltage you are using from your timer). You can get multiple poles to connect other loads that will turn on/off with your light, like exhaust fan.

Cm

This, you need a thing called a contactor or relay

Basically a really heavy duty switch to handle the 3x inductive amperage that a magnetic ballast sucks when it fires up. The silly little lightweight copper tangs in almost all normal timers get fried really fast, so you isolate the switching to the relay and just use normal weak timers to control the relay

They can be wired up in different configurations like on/off or onA/onB for flip flop rooms, but any decent electrician knows how to wire them up

[troutman]

I had a digital timer that sometimes would work and sometimes it wouldn't.

So now I got mechanical ones and they never failed me yet.

Mine look something like this and they are very easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/TNI2423-Groun.../dp/B00D8OCPXU

[Old Toker]

Originally Posted by cravin morehead

Try lighting contactor with a 120v coil (or whatever voltage you are using from your timer).

I believe this is it. Thank you!! Now I need to find one that is "plug and play" without requiring me to hard wire it. A man should know his limitations.....and I have VERY limited electrical expertise. If I find one I'll post a link for those that are in a similar position.
Thanks again!