Safety first (thanks sanclem)

*jamesgang* · 02-02-2002, 06:47 PM

After my last grow I went to the grow room and expected my timer to have turned on the lights, but all I got was a surprise. That was 6 months ago but did not remember until Sanclem noticed in my post this week that I left a wall cover off my electrical outlet in the grow room and advised me about safety. I thank him and want to encourage every one out there to thinK SAFETY FIRST. I love my dwelling and do not want my family hurt by a stuped mistake. High powered lights give off high amp surges, escpecially when they first turn on. Protect yourself when using cheap timers. Enclosed is my pics on how the problem is solved, and I can sleep worry free now. Please protect yourself everyone, growing and smoking are great. Lets live to enjoy our harvest. Thanks again Sanclem for waking me up. This first pic is my shorted out timer that could of done major damage.

*jamesgang* · 02-02-2002, 06:50 PM

Here is a front view of the Heavy duty out door timer made by Intermatic.

*jamesgang* · 02-02-2002, 07:22 PM

Here is my protection from electrical surges that will make me feel better. There is a relay inside (15 amp) 2 fuses, one 6.5 amp to fuse the coil of the relay. Not realy needed but I am paronoid (maybe smokin too much.) And one 15 amp fuse to protect the 1000 watt metal halide light I use. I added the Amp meter to monitor the amps on the light. Again not needed but I am a electronics man. What you do is hook up the small cord ,16 gauge wire to your 110 Cheap timer output to the a1 and a2 terminals of your 15 amp quality relay via a 6.5 amp fuse in my case. This will protect the circuit from the low amps the coil on the contacter will draw. Not needed to fuse if you use a good new quality relay rated for your lights. The large 14 gauge cord plugs into thewall outlet and transfers the high amp drawing lights. This goes to the normally open contacts of your relay and in my case via a 15 amp fuse. If anything goes haywire, I am protected first by the 15 amp fuse in the box and then by the main circuit breaker in the dwelling. In my case 20 amps. Double protection, I like it. When the timer kicks on , the relay closes and power goes to the light, protected. What you see here is what a toaster uses, WOW 12 amps.

*jamesgang* · 02-02-2002, 07:25 PM

Here is the actual inside wiring. Any questions please ask.

02-02-2002, 08:37 PM

i think i need to go back over my room,thanks alot for the info.Peace

*jamesgang* · 02-02-2002, 09:28 PM

By the way. On the right hand side of the" inside the Box" view is the rear of the double outlet where your light and anything else you need turned on too, will be pluged into. This is your output.

Healer · 11-02-2009, 02:48 PM

I've had a few timers get brown and melted a bit where the plug goes in. Is there any timer I could buy premade that could safely handle a 1000W light? That thing you built seems cool but I have so little clue what it is and how I could make one I don't even know how to start asking questions.

**bobbooty** · 11-02-2009, 02:52 PM

necroposter.

**bobbooty** · 11-02-2009, 02:56 PM

healer, most heavy duty timers are rated 15amps or better. those should be fine for 1 x 1000w light. just look for one of these:
usually around 10-20 bucks.

if you are really concerned about the melting, get one of these:
these are a little more expensive, more like 60-75 bucks, depending on where you get them.

*jamesgang* · 11-02-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbooty

if you are really concerned about the melting, get one of these:
these are a little more expensive, more like 60-75 bucks, depending on where you get them.

Better choice ... For safety...

JG

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