Using Light II & View II with Profilux Plus II ?

[ekovalsky]

My MH ballasts have been causing relays to stick in the 4-outlet power bar included with the Profilux II Plus package. So I was going to get three of the high amp expansion sockets for these. But then I realized the Light II includes four of these plus some additional expansion.

But it seems the Light II connects with the Profilux II Plus via the RS232 port, but I am using this for my View II (PC connectivity is via WLAN). So is it possible to use the View II, Light II, and Profilux Plus II all together ? Seems this would require an RS232 splitter, or a pass through RS232 port on one of the devices...

I do need to be able to control the lights via my PC, so running the Light II independently of the Plus II is not a good option. If the Light II and View II are not compatible with each other, I'd rather use the high amp expansions.

 

[badazztealcobra]

Just curious as to how old your 4 outlet analog bar is.....

When I was pricing out my profilux Michael thought my best bet would be to go with the analog bar for all my lighting since I am only doing (3) 250w MHs... Looking at all the inrush numbers and the amperage numbers it should hold up just fine, just seeing if yours is an older analog bar or if I might end up running into the same issue....

 

[ekovalsky]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617198#post12617198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by badazztealcobra
Just curious as to how old your 4 outlet analog bar is.....

When I was pricing out my profilux Michael thought my best bet would be to go with the analog bar for all my lighting since I am only doing (3) 250w MHs... Looking at all the inrush numbers and the amperage numbers it should hold up just fine, just seeing if yours is an older analog bar or if I might end up running into the same issue....

You would think... that was my plan as the Profilux kit I bought (before the EX models were available) included the 4- and 6-outlet bars. I had my three MH ballasts and an Icecap 660 on the analog bar, and miscellaneous otherr equipment on the 6-outlet digital bar.

I think the issue is not the amperage, but the initial load placed on the outlet (and more importantly its relay) when the MH ballast turns on. There were some other posts in this forum a while back about this, and the recommendation was not to plug MH ballasts into the 4-outlet analog bar, but rather use the high amp outlets for them even though they definitely do not require it from the standpoint of watts.

 

[jpduton]

I was thinking the same ideal, but what I learned was that the Light II operates independantly from your Plus. They do not connect.

 

[badazztealcobra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617659#post12617659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ekovalsky
You would think... that was my plan as the Profilux kit I bought (before the EX models were available) included the 4- and 6-outlet bars. I had my three MH ballasts and an Icecap 660 on the analog bar, and miscellaneous otherr equipment on the 6-outlet digital bar.

I think the issue is not the amperage, but the initial load placed on the outlet (and more importantly its relay) when the MH ballast turns on. There were some other posts in this forum a while back about this, and the recommendation was not to plug MH ballasts into the 4-outlet analog bar, but rather use the high amp outlets for them even though they definitely do not require it from the standpoint of watts.

Do you have all the MH coming on at the same time ??? I have mine staggered by 30 minutes each... Wonder if that makes any difference ???

 

[ekovalsky]

I thought the Light II & Plus II could connect via RS232 but maybe not. I searched but couldnt find any online manual for the Light II, and I have no idea if and how the Plus II would recognize and register it if both are connected via the RS232.

My metal halides switch on at 15 minute intervals. The problem is not with the whole strip. One outlet (socket #3) is "stuck" in the on position. This was my middle of the three MH and it stayed on all night when it happened. I have read that you can smack the power strip and often unstick the relay. But I relocated the cord to another outlet (on the digital bar) and plugged in something that would be set to always on anyway. The other two MH plugged into the analog strip have not caused a problem, nor has there been a problem with the one now in the digital bar.

I think the problem is related to the rapid current draw when the ballast switches on, which heats the relay contacts and can make them stick. It may only be a problem with some ballasts, I have only tried the ones I currently use (EVC 250w electronic).

I think I'm going to order two high current outlets, one will turn on the middle lamp and then the other will turn on the other two lamps after 15-30 minutes.