lighting question

[softbal4]

on a dual ballast, do i have to light up both bulbs at the same time or can they be staggered with a timer? 2nd question, if they are to be on simutaneously, should i use one timer or two...one for each fixture? thanks jenny

 

[pk1]

Re: lighting question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6998590#post6998590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by softbal4
on a dual ballast, do i have to light up both bulbs at the same time or can they be staggered with a timer? 2nd question, if they are to be on simutaneously, should i use one timer or two...one for each fixture? thanks jenny

1- each can be lit at different times.

2-I would say that depends on the timer?? I am sure they are rated for amps...

 

[aaronpentz]

Do you mean 2 bulbs on one ballast or two seprate ballasts?

 

[softbal4]

sorry for the confusion. i think that i am confused on what i am trying to say also.

let's give it another try....

i have a dual ballast with dual 400 watt halides. i have attached 2 seperate timers one to each of the plugs for each fixture. i have set the timer to as close to the exact time as possible (its the dial timer) and when it goes to the on position....only one of the fixtures goes on. the timer is new, so i am beginning to conclude that i can only use one timer for both fixtures.?????

thus having both lights go one at the same time? am i correct or lost completely!!!!!???

 

[whiirly]

how many plugs do you have on your ballest?not sure how you have these plugged up do you have a pics?
are these on your new tank?is that enuff ligh?

 

[softbal4]

i have 3 x 400watt halides. one fixture is on it's own ballast. the other 2 fixtures each have a plug that goes into the ballast and the ballast itself has 2 plugs. each of the ballast plugs are connected to different timers. one the dual...when the timer clicks to on....only one of the fixtures fires on.

 

[whiirly]

that sound like a ballast or bulb problem to me. what you are saying is that two bulbs fire one in the middle and one on either side right?does this have vho's or anything for attinics
that is what the small ballest is for on my lights thats why I asked

 

[pk1]

Try taking the bulb that IS firing, and put it into the socket that is not firing. If it fires up then it's the bulb. If not, then it's most likely the ballast...

 

[softbal4]

so it has nothing to do with the timers? they both work without the timers.

there are not actinics. i am running 2 x 20k and 1 10k.

when they are plugged into the timers the one goes on and off with the timer....the other does not go on or off. if i turn it on manually it goes on and off. leading me to think i should put a timer on the whole power strip instead of each plug of the ballast.

thanks for the help! jen

 

[pk1]

Well...this sounds easy but I'm having a hard time picturing it! I have a dual 175 w MH ballast...I have each power cord pluged into separate timers(typical home depot timers), either on a power strip or a wall outlet...is this how you have yours?

 

[whiirly]

now it sounds like a timer problem
do you want them to all come on at the same time?
I plan on running mine middle one on first then the outter two on a little later

 

[softbal4]

what i was hoping was to have the outer 2 go on (they are 20K) and then about an hour later to have the center (10K) go one. but the dual ballast controls (10K and one of the 20K). so does that mean that on the same ballast they need to go on at the same time?

 

[mm949]

if ballast are identical you can switch cords on the ballast so your daul runs the two outer bulbs and the single runs the center...you can get a 3 in 1 plug adapter and plug the (2) cords from the daul to one ballast as long as the timer is rated for 10amps....if the face dail rotates on the timer check the pins..if not bad timer....better to have the twon 20k go ob first than the 10k...on my 310gl reef if have (4) .o3 VHO on first than (2) 250w MH from the left side next.....hour later the (2) 250w MH on the right side and few hours later have (2) VHO 12ks completing the light cycle and reverse for sunset....looks kool..

 

[softbal4]

the plugs on the 20K's are different.....on the dual it looks similar to a regular electric plug and on the other it has 3 plugs that are like audio/video....
why does everything have to be so complex!!!
where can i find a timer rated for 10 amps and how do i know what my timer is rated? it is just a run of the mill timer. thanks for all the help. jen

 

[mm949]

ok...than does your daul ballast have (2) power cords??? if not you will need to switch out the cords at the mogul sockets to achive this....all electrical appliances have power ratings on the back...most are 10amp if they are fairly new....i like using outdoor timers because the have a plug whip so the dont hog the outlet next to it....can get any hardware store...

 

[jgleach]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7014156#post7014156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by softbal4
so it has nothing to do with the timers? they both work without the timers.

there are not actinics. i am running 2 x 20k and 1 10k.

when they are plugged into the timers the one goes on and off with the timer....the other does not go on or off. if i turn it on manually it goes on and off. leading me to think i should put a timer on the whole power strip instead of each plug of the ballast.

thanks for the help! jen

It sounds like a bad timer to me also. Play with them a little. Try switching the timers from one to the other. If you've got two power cords for two lights, then each should work independently of each other.....and if they both work without the timer, I would bet you've got a bad timer. You can also try a table lamp in the timer that you suspect of being bad....

Just remember, unless somebody did some really strange wiring, you've got 2 power cords, two ballasts (which happen to share the same housing) and two cords out to the lamps. Electrically, they should be completely seperate.

Jeff

 

[softbal4]

yes the dual ballast has 2 electric plugs. i am going to get some outdoor timers and give it a shot. thanks mm for the suggestion. i will let you all know. thanks again. jen

 

[jgleach]

Jen,
Pay attention to the outdoor ones you buy....many do not have a 3 prong outlet. Also, they tend to be a little more expensive than the others so you could try this: Buy two....plug the ballast for the center light into one and a power strip (really cheap these days) into the other. Then plug both outside lights into the power strip. That way, both outside lamps will come on at exactly the same time....all the time.

Jeff

 

[mm949]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7038604#post7038604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jgleach
Jen,
Pay attention to the outdoor ones you buy....many do not have a 3 prong outlet. Also, they tend to be a little more expensive than the others so you could try this: Buy two....plug the ballast for the center light into one and a power strip (really cheap these days) into the other. Then plug both outside lights into the power strip. That way, both outside lamps will come on at exactly the same time....all the time.

Jeff

good advice EXCEPT for using a power strip.....i have see countless strips melt and burn without ever tripping...to prevent fires DO NOT USE....heavy duty 3 in 1 plug adapter works better..outside timmers do cost more but are better quality when using around moist salty areas...

 

[softbal4]

had a fire 2 years ago and lost alot. the whole tank knocked down by the fd. thank god for insurance...and don't want that experience again. thanks. will try.