[Jhhnn]

Originally Posted by Humple W.

Thanks again, everyone!

So would the part I linked (https://www.amazon.com/Packard-C230B.../dp/B001KGSJ74) be significantly inferior to the part at https://www.automationdirect.com/adc...-PR40-1C-120A? If only a slight improvement over the cheaper option, I'd prefer to spend less.

Either one will serve your purposes just fine. You'll need to put the assembly in an enclosure w/ appropriate hardware which can be expensive all by itself.

[sheik_yerbouti]

If you're only running 500w of lighting than that Apollo timer should be fine as it will be rated for 15a. 500w @ 120v is 4.2a.

A contactor setup is of course a better set up but I personally don't see the need if you only have 500w of lighting.

[OldPhart]

Originally Posted by sheik_yerbouti

If you're only running 500w of lighting than that Apollo timer should be fine as it will be rated for 15a. 500w @ 120v is 4.2a.

A contactor setup is of course a better set up but I personally don't see the need if you only have 500w of lighting.

Ditto, I am running the same timer, and feel that it is perfectly safe for use on a 600w digital ballast; and would expect it to have no issues with a pair of 250's. I would start having concerns at 1kw though. I'm actually working on putting together a slave circuit because I'm thinking of expanding, and a relay is cheaper to replace than a timer. I'm actually ordering the Packard relay, just because it can easily/securely take bare wires, and I don't have to fool with crimp terminals.

[sheik_yerbouti]

Originally Posted by OldPhart

Ditto, I am running the same timer, and feel that it is perfectly safe for use on a 600w digital ballast; and would expect it to have no issues with a pair of 250's. I would start having concerns at 1kw though. I'm actually working on putting together a slave circuit because I'm thinking of expanding, and a relay is cheaper to replace than a timer. I'm actually ordering the Packard relay, just because it can easily/securely take bare wires, and I don't have to fool with crimp terminals.

Thats my thoughts...I mean your toaster will pull 800+ Watts

[Humple W.]

Thanks again for all the help. You guys are awesome.

I was concerned about the amperage at start-up. Don't know how likely it is for a 250w ballast to go over the limit on one of these Apollo timers, but better safe than sorry, right? Besides, it seems like it could be a fun project.

So now I need to put my shopping list together. Looking at the tutorial on the DIY 4-light controller, I get a little lost. That dude is building for a 240v, and he's running four light's. I'm running 120v and only one light per contactor. So I've ordered the contactors, and I know I need a junction box, and obviously cord/wire for the power. Then some terminals, right? Both ring and spade? Also I need ceramic outlets. Screws, clamps, and... Not sure.

Hate to be such a needy noob, guys. And again, all the helpfulness is just awesome. You guys rock.

[OldPhart]

Originally Posted by Humple W.

Thanks again for all the help. You guys are awesome.

I was concerned about the amperage at start-up. Don't know how likely it is for a 250w ballast to go over the limit on one of these Apollo timers, but better safe than sorry, right? Besides, it seems like it could be a fun project.

So now I need to put my shopping list together. Looking at the tutorial on the DIY 4-light controller, I get a little lost. That dude is building for a 240v, and he's running four light's. I'm running 120v and only one light per contactor. So I've ordered the contactors, and I know I need a junction box, and obviously cord/wire for the power. Then some terminals, right? Both ring and spade? Also I need ceramic outlets. Screws, clamps, and... Not sure.

Hate to be such a needy noob, guys. And again, all the helpfulness is just awesome. You guys rock.

If you can wait till the next weekend, I'll document what I'm building. You are more than fine with the load you're putting on that timer, for a short period of time (hell, probably a long period of time). I'm just building mine for future, and to reduce the wear on the timer. Not to mention, I'm going to put a delay on break timer on mine as well, but I haven't ordered the delay yet, so I'll build it without it, then update when I get the delay. All the delay will do is keep the light from attempting to restart within 5 minutes of the time it is turned off, just to be nice to the bulb in the event of a power glitch.

[soundman]

Two 15 amp timers will exceed your requirement and be much easier and cheaper than building a rerlay box or two.

I run 600 wtt hps through digital and mechanical 15 amp timers sold at any lowes or home depot. In over 25 years I have only had one failure. A digital version blew a component and failed. Stick to the mechanical ones and your even better.

What you planned is overkill for sure.

PS., Ive even run both 600's through one digital timer and never ran into issue. That was only for a few months though. That was pushing almost 12 amps on a 15 amp timer.

[Humple W.]

Originally Posted by OldPhart

If you can wait till the next weekend, I'll document what I'm building. You are more than fine with the load you're putting on that timer, for a short period of time (hell, probably a long period of time). I'm just building mine for future, and to reduce the wear on the timer. Not to mention, I'm going to put a delay on break timer on mine as well, but I haven't ordered the delay yet, so I'll build it without it, then update when I get the delay. All the delay will do is keep the light from attempting to restart within 5 minutes of the time it is turned off, just to be nice to the bulb in the event of a power glitch.

I can definitely wait till next weekend. That would be most helpful!

[Humple W.]

Originally Posted by soundman

Two 15 amp timers will exceed your requirement and be much easier and cheaper than building a rerlay box or two.

I run 600 wtt hps through digital and mechanical 15 amp timers sold at any lowes or home depot. In over 25 years I have only had one failure. A digital version blew a component and failed. Stick to the mechanical ones and your even better.

What you planned is overkill for sure.

PS., Ive even run both 600's through one digital timer and never ran into issue. That was only for a few months though. That was pushing almost 12 amps on a 15 amp timer.

Thanks for the input! I guess I may have overreacted, but after reading up on resistive vs inductive loads, I started to worry about the ballast start-up. I expect to have my grow cab completed within the next week, so I'll begin with just the mechanical timers and then add the relays when I've finished them. I figure it will be a useful skill to know - I'm hoping to build a proper grow room in my basement next year, running a couple of 600 watters, so at that point knowing what to do will be of greater value than it may be now.

[OldPhart]

Originally Posted by Humple W.

I can definitely wait till next weekend. That would be most helpful!

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I hadn't forgotten about you. Have ran into other issues like trying to get another job I've also decided to implement a thermostat to control AC/fan, and heat. I think that this will be a project that a lot of people could benefit from. I'll drop you a note in this thread when I get it built/documented/posted. I'm a little excited to get this done, I hate jerry rigged shit.