[Old Toker]

Originally Posted by chris harris

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.

Thank you. I believe I have the same timer and it worked fine when I was testing the ballast and bulb. However....long term....and for extended periods of time ....I have read reports of this timer not being able to handle the load.

[Old Toker]

Originally Posted by ChaosCatalunya

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

Yep....this is what I had read. Thanks for the explanation. Hopefully some company manufactures some over priced plug and play lighting contactor that I can connect to the "silly little lightweight copper tangs" in my timer.
Thanks again!

[Old Toker]

Originally Posted by chris harris

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.

If I can't find a non-do-it-yourself lighting contactor....I may end up just using the digital timer and risking a problem. Hard wiring a lighting contactor would worry me more than using my digital timer.
Thanks again for the help!

[Old Toker]

If you live in the UK there seems to be an abundance of plug in lighting contactors.
https://www.ashfordhydro.com/lighting...contactor.html
Haven't found anything yet in the USA.

[cravin morehead]

Originally Posted by Old Toker

If I can't find a non-do-it-yourself lighting contactor....I may end up just using the digital timer and risking a problem. Hard wiring a lighting contactor would worry me more than using my digital timer.
Thanks again for the help!

I can type you through it. but YouTube would be much easier to learn from. instead of those little timers you really should use something safer. try looking up an Intermatic T101. very basic, heavy duty time clock. it can control one piece of equip, a T102 can control 2 pieces ( 1 pole &2 pole)

cm

[Old Toker]

Originally Posted by cravin morehead

instead of those little timers you really should use something safer.

I agree. But it's not safer if I screw up the wiring.

You're probably thinking "how stupid is this guy?". And the answer is pretty stupid. However I do have some common sense.....although admittedly not much. Seriously.....If I have to cut the plugs off of a 1000w ballast and wire it into a contactor....then I'm going to take my chances that my cheap Titan Controls 734105 Apollo 9 "Heavy Duty" 15 AMP capacity timer will do the job.

Thanks for trying to save my life. I know you are correct and the connector is safer.....just not willing to tackle THAT project.

[cravin morehead]

I hear you old toker. Just keep checking on your timer, make sure it's not getting hot. Maybe get one with the highest amp rating you can find, like 1800 or 2000 watts. I've been an electrician for 25+years and forget sometimes that not everyone has been doing this type of work enough to understand and be comfortable with it. Good growing to you sir...

Cm

[Old Toker]

Hey CM appreciate all the advice. Whats you opinion on these (besides too expensive)?
https://smile.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-A.../dp/B008NP701Q
https://smile.amazon.com/Titan-Contr...B003GD0LUW#Ask
https://smile.amazon.com/Intermatic-...9&s=hi&sr=1-59

[brown_thumb]

I imagine the warning you read has something to do with the initial start current. I suppose it could cause arcing in delicate or underbuilt control/switching devices.

[ChaosCatalunya]

Originally Posted by Old Toker

Yep....this is what I had read. Thanks for the explanation. Hopefully some company manufactures some over priced plug and play lighting contactor that I can connect to the "silly little lightweight copper tangs" in my timer.
Thanks again!

Here in Spain, and the UK you can buy things like these... No doubt there are US versions

Basically a nice watertight hobby box with a timer, a relay and 2 or 4 or 8 outlets for 400, 600 or 1000... all wired up (hopefully...) right for you


https://www.hortitec.es/Catalogue/Item/618023?Outlet=0