Using lighting timers with digital ballasts?

AZgreenthumb · Mar 16, 2016

Getting some single outlet digital timers for my 1000w hid lights I was checking out Titan Controls Apollo 7 single outlet timer but it says you should not use it with digital ballasts but the Apollo 9 I had worked perfectly with my digital ballasts so will this lighting timer be okay for my digital ballasts?

You can see the timer I am talking about here:http://www.titancontrols.net/products/timing/apollo-7.aspx

rkymtnman · Mar 16, 2016

if the manufacturer says not to use it, why would you argue with them?

AZgreenthumb · Mar 16, 2016

rkymtnman said:
if the manufacturer says not to use it, why would you argue with them?

Because the other timer I owned from the same company also said the same thing but it worked fine. So I am not sure if I should take their word for it.

rkymtnman · Mar 16, 2016

i would call them and ask why not to use it on digi ballasts. there has to be a reason or else they wouldn't add the warning

covert222 · Mar 16, 2016

I think most of these warnings are just for the one in a million chance you do burn your house down you can't sue them

rkymtnman · Mar 16, 2016

from right here on RIU a few years ago:

on the Titan website, here is why they say not to use the Apollo 8 timer with digital/electronic ballasts: "This timer is not for use with digital or electronic ballasts due to the high in-rush current of the ballast. The in-rush current can be from 10 to 40 times the rated amperage for the product and this burns the contacts inside of the timer making it inoperable. We recommend the use of the Apollo 4 120 Volt ballast timer to operate digital and electronic ballasts."

rkymtnman · Mar 16, 2016

i've always used heavy duty Intermatic mechanical timers.

AZgreenthumb · Mar 16, 2016

rkymtnman said:
from right here on RIU a few years ago:

on the Titan website, here is why they say not to use the Apollo 8 timer with digital/electronic ballasts: "This timer is not for use with digital or electronic ballasts due to the high in-rush current of the ballast. The in-rush current can be from 10 to 40 times the rated amperage for the product and this burns the contacts inside of the timer making it inoperable. We recommend the use of the Apollo 4 120 Volt ballast timer to operate digital and electronic ballasts."

Thanks!!

Bubblegum31 · Mar 16, 2016

Omnirex analog timer

16( 8 ) amp

Cheap as %*\€%

Dont go for fancy timers

Any timer will do it Just check for the continues max load which will be the second number on te back.of the timer the number between ()
Like the example above that would be 8 amp MAX

I run 3x sunmaster hobby digital ballast on one of them

2x600w
1x400w

Am 230v before you wounder how come I use too little amp

Hope this helps

Bubble

Bubblegum31 · Mar 16, 2016

Am sorry the omnirex is 6 amp max

I meant this one

http://www.dutch-headshop.com/nl/tijdschakelaar-analoog-grasslin-topica-200s-p-671.html

Grasslin.

They will till you its not good to use your lights on it

Its BULLSHIT!

They want you to buy the expensive stuff!!

Like I sayed any cheap timer will do it just make sure of the MAX continues load on the back of the timer

Using lighting timers with digital ballasts?

AZgreenthumb

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rkymtnman

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AZgreenthumb

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rkymtnman

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covert222

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rkymtnman

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rkymtnman

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AZgreenthumb

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Bubblegum31

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Bubblegum31

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