Question about timers and MH lighting

[scott473]

I just picked up a 250w MH setup from a member here and it works great as long as I plug it into a power strip or straight into the wall, but if I plug it into the timer nothing. I had my t-5's running off them for the past year without a problem.

On another note sedorusc thank you for the lights and running them out to my work.

 

[johnd651]

what type of timer? is there a maximum wattage?

 

[scott473]

It says woods on the front, its a outdoor mechanical type timer. and on the back the ratings say 120 VAC / 60Hz resistive: 15A / 1875W Tungsten 1250W Horsepower 1/2 HP

 

[Piazzon12]

ok, obvious, but are you sure the timer is on?
what type of ballast?
how quickly are you changing between the two, some ballasts take a while to refire after having just been turned off.
It is possibly the timer can't supply the draw necessary to fire the ballast.
If you plug the power strip into the timer and the ballast on the strip does it work (doubt it) but it could be a contact issue

 

[dbartkow]

Wait 10 minutes and then try again... my ballast takes a while to fire after it was turned off.

 

[scott473]

I have come to two conclusions. 1 the timer isn't strong enough to fire the light and 2 it was a contact issue.

I plugged the strip into the timer and the light into the strip and it went to fire and tripped the surge part on the strip, but if I disconnect the timer it fires fine on the strip.

Any good suggestions on a new timer?

 

[pimpinitup6969]

I just went out and got a reefkeeper lite for my nano. For $99 they are great.

 

[rickyrivera1]

I just went out and got a reefkeeper lite for my nano. For $99 they are great.

+1...reefkeeper elite for my MH is great, currently running 2 400watt 20k bulbs, my 25watt Actinics and my moon lights on the pc4 alone. Can't beat the price and the versatility of the plain jane model

 

[superkat]

because i'm a coral FREAK...i always find something to spend that 99 bucks on...but i finally found a timer that works...it's the brinks model, digital. 8 bucks at walmart. I blew through 4 of the regular pin type timers - fried them. I do not see an AC Jr. in the future for the 90g...but the 120g will have one, for sure.