Most light controllers are relatively simple devices. Why the heck are they so expensive??
Can someone enlighten me regarding decent options that don’t cost so much? For now, I only want to control up to four 240v CMH lights on two independent timers and I want adjustable (or 5-10 minute fixed) restrike delays on both timers. I can’t imagine why something like that should cost more than $100US.
I can buy a simple 240v control box plus a 110v timer plus a couple of delay relays, all for less than $100 but that seems like a sloppy way to get this done.
I built my own to control my ballasts. It worked out pretty cheap because i already had the parts laying around minus the 240v outlet. And it was fun putting it together and if a part fails i just replace that part not a whole controller thats not reapirable in the field. But if a person is not qualified to do dyi then a factory unit is cheaper and definitely safer.
I love modularity for purposes of cheap/easy repair and expandability or modification. I might just build a control unit but was hoping a turnkey option was available at a reasonable price.
Im sure theres a simpler way than what ive done. I have 2 power sources coming into the box . 1- 120vac to the 120x24 vac transformer and to the 120 v outlet that the timer is plugged into which operates the contactor which feeds the 240vac power to the 240v outlet that the ballast is plugged into.
The 24v is for the thermostat and the actuator that is controlled by the tstat. The actuator controls a damper in the duct so that the air that is being pushed through 2cool tubes can either be directed back into the room if heat is needed or out of thespace . I have an override switch on the door in event timer fails i can manually run lights and ndicator lights showing light on and alarm light if light is scheduled on but the ct is not sensing current meaning light is on. Also sounds audible alarm. Like i said it was fun building it.
If I build a control panel then It’ll have a single 240v corded plug so I can plug it into a socket. I’ll wire the 120v timer off one leg of that. For now, I only need a couple of light timers but I’ll use a large enough box and arrange the layout so I can add other controls later. The plants and lights are in open air, not inside a closet or tent so I don’t currently need anything more complicated. Again though, I’m currently looking for a reasonably priced lazy-man’s turnkey option.
I’m thinking I should be searching through generic ‘industrial’ controls rather than more ‘specialized’ offerings. It seems profit margins (per item anyway) are pretty darned high in the ‘gardening’ industry.
Buying dual trigger means getting one much larger than you need right? Been a while since shopped for them, but small titans weren’t much over $100 last i knew, i would maybe just consider doing two of them. Outside of already having most of the stuff I don’t feel like savings would justify the effort.
Thank you. The small Titan units can still be bought for a little over $120 plus shipping. However, I don’t think they have delay relays to prevent immediate reignition of hot lamps and they require external timers. I don’t know much about electrical controls but I’m guessing the only important parts in the simplest of these devices is solid state relays. I haven’t researched this enough to be certain of that though.
Been out of hid game for too long to know, but i suspect you’re correct about delay on features. If you can find a way around this i think will be best course of action.
The external timer whip is a blessing in disguise though. Timers are junk just about anyway you look at it. If you buy controller with built in timer your controller is shot when the timer is shot. Having whip for external timer is easy peasy when it fails. Just drive down to local hardware store and grab another for $5-$10 and plug it in. This would also help you to run both independently on different schedules without buying larger unit than necessary.
Good points. Plugging in a replacement timer is more convenient than digging into a control box and I could simply add a delay relay between the timer and controller. I just prefer all hardwiring to be housed in one unit and for that main unit to have a pigtail plug.
I decided to buy the delay relays with a max delay time of 16.7 minutes. I hope I didn’t goof. They’ll be added to the timer circuit inputs within the controller… if there’s room inside.
