GFCI/Power Strip/Timer questions

[snewcrash]

Hey guys, I'm starting my first build with a 75 gallon tank. I'm looking for recommendations for what type of power strip I should use. Are there any power strips that have a GFCI and timers built in? I've seen the Coralife Power Centers with built in timers, but I also saw a lot of negative reviews about them.

I was also looking at the American DJ mountable AC power strip, but I'm confused how timers would fit... Wouldn't the size of the timers block off other outlets on the back of the power strip or am I envisioning this wrong? Please educate me! TYIA.

 

[Flipper62]

I have all of the timers plugged into APC battery backup units like the ones that you use for computers. This way if the power goes out, you have some time for everything to run on the batteries. You will have to do the math on the amount of power you will need vs the size of battery backup & how many.

I also just use the $10.00 lamp timers that you get at Home Depot or Lowes. If one of them crap out I just replace it. My thought on the 1 timer built into the power strip is that if the timer goes out, everything on that power strip also goes out.

Just My opinion.........:dance:

 

[snewcrash]

Good point about if the timer goes out you'll have to replace the whole powerstrip... Your APC has enough room to accommodate timers without blocking out the other AC receptacles? I'm worried about the timer blocking receptacles if I go without an APC and just get a regular powerstrip like the American DJ one...

EDIT: I think what I'm looking for is a timer that has a cord on it, not one that plugs directly into the power strip. Any recommendations?

 

[Flipper62]

In most cases your only going to be using 1 or 2 timers on the battery/surge side & there is room for that. Other things like a power head or air stone..ect can be plugged into the surge only side. Of the power goes out, you not realy concerned about having everything running as normal. You just need certin thins to keep running, Heater, pumps, mayme 1 light.

On my larger tanks I have 2 or 3 APC units. On my office BioCube I have just 1 APC.

I'm planning to build a new home & this home is going to have a Natural gas electric backup to run the complete home in the event of a power outage. It kicks on the split second that there is a power loss, I dont have to do anything......I cant wait.

But this APC way has been working for me for a long time.

 

[Tylt33]

Re: GFCI/Power Strip/Timer questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14810780#post14810780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snewcrash
Hey guys, I'm starting my first build with a 75 gallon tank. I'm looking for recommendations for what type of power strip I should use. Are there any power strips that have a GFCI and timers built in? I've seen the Coralife Power Centers with built in timers, but I also saw a lot of negative reviews about them.

I was also looking at the American DJ mountable AC power strip, but I'm confused how timers would fit... Wouldn't the size of the timers block off other outlets on the back of the power strip or am I envisioning this wrong? Please educate me! TYIA.

Those Coralife timers are guaranteed to break within a year, or your money back :rollface:

 

[Flipper62]

snewcrash,

As far as a timer on a cord....try this link,

http://www.intermatic.com/products/...or timers/electromechanical timers/hb35r.aspx

Its an outdoor timer but it will work. I think that I have even seen them at Lows & Home Depot. They are by the outdoor malibu lighting

 

[snewcrash]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14811054#post14811054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flipper62
snewcrash,

As far as a timer on a cord....try this link,

http://www.intermatic.com/products/...or timers/electromechanical timers/hb35r.aspx

Its an outdoor timer but it will work. I think that I have even seen them at Lows & Home Depot. They are by the outdoor malibu lighting

Awesome, thanks!

 

[alextheromanian]

HOME DEPOT SELLS TIMERS ...walmart sells timers for 6$ a pop


i had the coralife timer...and while it looked fancy it stopped working....

get yourself the good old fashioned wheel with pins...those are tried and true and less expensive.

i have 4 of them
1) moonlights
2)power compact (actinic-dusk/dawn)
3)metal halide(daylight)
4)refugium set to turn on after all other lights are off and light up the sump as the moonlights turn on on the display.

 

[WaterKeeper]

I'm not sure there are UPS's that have a GFCI built in (it would kind of defeat the purpose of having a USP) but you can get a strip type GFCI for under $25. Plug everything into it including the UPS. IF it does trip then the UPS will run the equipment until the GFCI is reset.

 

[Flipper62]

WaterKeeper, I should have been more clear. All of my UPS units are plugged into a GFCI outlet. Also to take it one step more, Each GFCI outlet is on its own circut breaker. This way I wont have a amp overload & if one breaker trips for some reason, the other ones keep working.

 

[WaterKeeper]

:thumbsup: As much as I hate Newbies,I hate to electrocute them.