Halide - Timer

[Clowny]

Can you put Halides onto any timer? I put mine onto a timer the other day as to get the desired hours it's only really on while i'm out and within 10mins the light just went out! I took the timer off and about 5-10mins later my lights came back on a couple of days later the lights totally stopped working and the fuse in the ballast had blown.. Im going away at weekend and really need to have the lights on a timer as no one will be there to tuen on/off :confused:

[sinaarrgghh]

You are meant to use a contactor (I think thats what they're called?) as the load a hailde puts through is too much for most. Its basically a pair of plugs that use the timer to flip a relay allowing the full load through from the other plug. Having said that some of the really old timers should work, the ones with the metal pins for time selection?

[Clowny]

You are meant to use a contactor (I think thats what they're called?) as the load a hailde puts through is too much for most. Its basically a pair of plugs that use the timer to flip a relay allowing the full load through from the other plug. Having said that some of the really old timers should work, the ones with the metal pins for time selection?

Brilliant thanks didn't know they existed will get myself one b4 the weekend. Do they all have 2 plugs on them? just were I have my tank have only a double socket and have my surge tower plugged in one and have ballast in other so I guess I plug the ballast in the contactor? Or could I plug the contactor into an extension or would this be overload? :D

[moorish]

as stated when starting up they use a lot of current and ordrinary timers are no use.derek

[trik]

Normal plug in timers are fine, i use the ones from Wickes, and they turn my 400w halides on and off with no problem, the starting current on a 400w is less than 7amps, and for a 250w its less than 3.5amps, and these timers are made to switch 13amp plus 10% for start up .

HTH

Richard

[mousehunter22]

I use the timers from morrisons supermarket and its been workin fine for months:D

[Clowny]

Just could not use the standard timer as it was blowing the fuse in the ballast. Purchased the timer contactor and all is woking fine now. thx for the advice everyone :)

[trik]

Just could not use the standard timer as it was blowing the fuse in the ballast. Purchased the timer contactor and all is woking fine now. thx for the advice everyone :)

Cool, glad you got your problem sorted:)

[johnl69]

So are these contactor soley designed to remove the start up load from the timer

[Tetley]

So are these contactor soley designed to remove the start up load from the timer

Cut and paste job:


Timer Contactor (Relay)

A Low Cost Solution To Timer Failure.

Domestic plug in timers are not designed to switch On/Off HID control gear as used in modern ballasts leading to timer and ultimately lamp failure.

HTH

Tets