Club 315w lec

since1991

since1991

Well-Known Member
Its all relative with the flip boxes. Saying if one has the space just run all the lamps and ballasts in the same room. Or however people do it. A million ways. All the flips do is fit the cats that see the need with what they are dealing with. Relative factors being space..time and cash. There are no savings after initial purchase.
 
SchmoeJoe

SchmoeJoe

Well-Known Member
since1991 said:
Its all relative with the flip boxes. Saying if one has the space just run all the lamps and ballasts in the same room. Or however people do it. A million ways. All the flips do is fit the cats that see the need with what they are dealing with. Relative factors being space..time and cash. There are no savings after initial purchase.
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The biggest advantage is being able to power twice the area on the same circuit. Its what they're intended for. You can't do that in the same room because they'll have to be on separate opposing photoperiods. I've done the same thing by just using a seperate set of ballasts running off of the same sub panel.The savings from buying fewer ballasts is a secondary benefit to that.
 
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SchmoeJoe

SchmoeJoe

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
Only if you can't set a timer.
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Anyone that can't set a timer will have a tough time using a flip box since they have to be used with a timer. They are nothing more than a timed relay after all.

If you keep trolling me with condescending sarcasm I'm going to just put you down as ignored. Feel free to ask me to explain anything I've said but stop acting like a childish prick.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
SchmoeJoe said:
Anyone that can't set a timer will have a tough time using a flip box since they have to be used with a timer. They are nothing more than a timed relay after all.

If you keep trolling me with condescending sarcasm I'm going to just put you down as ignored. Feel free to ask me to explain anything I've said but stop acting like a childish prick.
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You get awfully defensive when I'm just pointing out the obvious. Maybe climb down off your high horse there, cowboy.
 
since1991

since1991

Well-Known Member
SchmoeJoe said:
The biggest advantage is being able to power twice the area on the same circuit. Its what they're intended for. You can't do that in the same room because they'll have to be on separate opposing photoperiods. I've done the same thing by just using a seperate set of ballasts running off of the same sub panel.The savings from buying fewer ballasts is a secondary benefit to that.
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Never thought of that one. Makes sensei. Limited juice on a panel..can only run so much. Yep.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
since1991 said:
Never thought of that one. Makes sensei. Limited juice on a panel..can only run so much. Yep.
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Again, a timer can do the same thing. And doing it this way reduces the types of equipment one needs to keep spares for and it broadens one's options for lighting schedules.

I really wanted to like this tech and I looked hard for ways to justify it, but every 'advantage' turned into just another dead end.
 
SchmoeJoe

SchmoeJoe

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
You get awfully defensive when I'm just pointing out the obvious. Maybe climb down off your high horse there, cowboy.
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All of your calling "bullshit" about my previous posts makes me seriously question your intent when you respond to my comments. If I misinterpreted your intent here I apologize.
 
SchmoeJoe

SchmoeJoe

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
Again, a timer can do the same thing. And doing it this way reduces the types of equipment one needs to keep spares for and it broadens one's options for lighting schedules.

I really wanted to like this tech and I looked hard for ways to justify it, but every 'advantage' turned into just another dead end.
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When I considered flip boxes I ended up doing the same thing. I just ran seperate sets of ballasts on their own timers so I could run two spaces off of the same limited available amperage.

If I we're running enough lights to save enough money to make it worth it I would've went that route but the cost for the number of ballasts I was looking at running was about the same as the cost of the flip box I would've needed and, like you said, having the ballasts instead of the flipper gives you a lot more flexibilty.
 
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MichiganMedGrower

MichiganMedGrower

Well-Known Member
since1991 said:
Its all relative with the flip boxes. Saying if one has the space just run all the lamps and ballasts in the same room. Or however people do it. A million ways. All the flips do is fit the cats that see the need with what they are dealing with. Relative factors being space..time and cash. There are no savings after initial purchase.
Click to expand...

It is done as a way to maximize available power. The rest are just other benefits.

You could do it in a bedroom and run 2 tents on one 600 watt draw so as not to tax a 15 amp circuit. The a/c could already max it out.

For example.

And I agree. Tons of variables to consider. All are tools to an end.
 
pinner420

pinner420

Well-Known Member
I believe legally flying said it best. His electric bill was around 10k per month down in Colorado. I can't afford to have any of my equipment idle for even an hour. After feeling the pain of buying a dual balast and having one side fail the flip saved my bacon. I like simple and the flip does add a layer of complexity to trouble shooting. Ive read threads on guys pulling their hair out on this topic. Im glad my question recieved such healthy debate; great input. Experience has taught me you have to have a hot spare anyway.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
pinner420 said:
I believe legally flying said it best. His electric bill was around 10k per month down in Colorado. I can't afford to have any of my equipment idle for even an hour. After feeling the pain of buying a dual balast and having one side fail the flip saved my bacon. I like simple and the flip does add a layer of complexity to trouble shooting. Ive read threads on guys pulling their hair out on this topic. Im glad my question recieved such healthy debate; great input. Experience has taught me you have to have a hot spare anyway.
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Hot spares for everything; that's why I built 50+ of the exact same water-cooled LED module.
 
since1991

since1991

Well-Known Member
I swear I got 2 of everything in a corner of my basement. I even got pieces of an old ass Hydrofarm Quantum drip system. Still got my first light too. A very old 400 watt sodium set up. Hamilton Technologies "Max - 89" (lol) reflector. Circa 1990 there abouts. With the Iwasaki Hortilux bulb. Back when they were cheap and a second tier brand.
 
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