Hello to everyone! Semi-noob here with a question for any experienced electricians/growers... I apologize if my terminology is incorrect or if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about, because in the grand scheme of things, I'm a novice! I am certainly NOT an electrician but I am a fast learner and I do have an electrician friend who is available to help me make sure I am doing things correctly and above all being SAFE! (I am not sure if he has the knowledge to personally build what I am talking about however...) FYI I am a medical patient and will also be a caregiver for my mother and stepfather, ALL LEGAL and with the appropriate docs. Not for profit, in case that is a rule of this site... What I am trying to do is power 2 different sets of lights/hoods using the same ballasts. Basically I have 2 different flowering rooms and want to run 12 hours on in one room, and have the lights automatically switch to the other room for the remaining 12 hours of the day. I have heard people using this setup before, but I am not familiar with the piece of equipment needed. The benefits seem to be using one set of ballasts thus extending the life of them (I have heard that they will run longer if ran continuously instead of powering on/off every day), and not having to upgrade my breaker box to a higher amperage because of using twice as many ballasts. I picked the brain of the helpful guy at the grow store, and he said he thought what I needed to get was called a flipbox and/or relay, and could be built by an electrician or purchased for somewhere around $500 (I would assume one could purchase all necessary parts from the hardware store and build themselves for under $200). My specific needs could be a bit unique, however... I currently have: (2) 8 plug 240v HID controller + (2) 4 plug 240v HID controller. I was hoping to integrate these as they were fairly expensive and proffesionally made. Simlar to this, but SENTINEL brand (without built in relay as some controllers have): http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Autopilot-Power-Master-Controller/dp/B008NP78B8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422040978&sr=8-3&keywords=240v+hid+controller+sentinel I want to run 9 hoods/light in each room (3 tables, 3 lights each). (2) 600w and (1) 1000w per table. All ballasts are 240v. I already have all the equipment. Does anyone have any ideas for resources or DIY instructions? If I could find something like this that was online and less than $500 I would also consider just buying it, but building one would be fun and educational. Anyone bored and have the time to explain what I need in lamens terms? LOL Any help is appreciated!!!
Thanks, Jolly Rancher! Unfortunately this won't quite fit my needs as I already have the ballasts and HID controllers, I know that what I'm looking for may be more of a custom job and a DIY project, but hoping I can make it work as I am starting with a very limited budget... Thanks for the input, though. Cheers!
This is the exact equipment I already have on hand: I have 2 of these: https://4hydroponics.com/sentinel-hph-8-high-power-hid-controller and 2 of these: http://www.greners.com/i/grow-lights/products/light-boxes-controllers/high-power-hid-controllers-4.html So I am going to put one of each in each room, so that I can power my 9 hoods in each room....I wish the 8 plug unit had just one more plug... And I also have the ballasts. So, just need to figure out how I can work a flip-flop with these controllers...Thanks for anyone's input!!!
20$ DIY 15amp flip flop light switch Didn't mean to send just as yet so here's my priceless flip flop switch that I made from a salvage the DeLonghi Dragon 3 home heater I traded someone out for cans that I was saving to scrap the 24 hour timer has something like in normal open A power open B in it so now I can put it has like the dual output single input so it will work as a switchable timer I wonder if it will work with my 400 or a thousand watt HPS because I have only tested it on fans and the CFL bulbs I have it wired up working as a switch with timer going to post pictures once I get it fully working have two lights that I scrapped out of the unit also that work as a light a light b on and off indicator here's the timer info it's sold out on every other site http://www.ereplacementparts.com/timer-p-1072615.html]http://www.ereplacem...-p-1072615.html Guide 65 Sport Convertible Car Seat Guide 65 Sport Convertible Car Seat
Do you still need help with this OP? I might can lend some assistance. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
Thanks antfarm and blake. I just decided to run both sets of ballasts for now instead of complicating things and doing a wiring project that is out of my area of expertise. In the future when I can afford it I think I will just buy one of these bad boys: https://www.monstergardens.com/Flip-Boxes-and-Timers/Light-Timers-and-Flip-Boxes/Light-Timers-and-Flip-Boxes-PowerBox/Powerbox-Flipbox-LSM-20
That looks like a nice product. If you are still interested at all, you can safely build a reliable system for 10% of the price of a retail product. Not to difficult with a few inexpensive heavy duty contactors. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum