Anyone using the 30 amp timer boxes??

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skinnersone1

Active Member
Can anyone who uses 30 or 50 amp timer boxes let me know how they are going for you? I have an electrician coming to wire and I figure less suspicious and cheaper to run one wire rather than several 220 circuits and would like to use one of these to run my lights.

http://www.ecogrow.com/index.cfm/product/1481/mid/22/nid/0/home.htm

http://www.ecogrow.com/index.cfm/product/1482/mid/22/nid/0/home.htm

I am interested in any opinions or suggestions. I have no electrical skill and do not wish to attempt diy at this time. I need something that I can just plug my lights into and be done with it.
 
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skinnersone1

Active Member
pelzroo said:
these work just fine, as long as it uses an external timer. That way when the timer inevitably croaks you don't need to replace the whole $300 box
you can make one of these yourself for much cheaper
https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/131039-diy-4-6-light-controller.html

I used to run 6 lights on a 30A timer box and it worked fine, now only 5.

cheers
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Thanks for the reply. Yes I will definately go with an external timer. I did see this link previously but I think the piece of mind that my house won't burn down is worth a little extra money. I priced the parts out at my local electric supply and it was $96. So to run 8 lights would require 2 at a cost of $192 + my time which would probably be all day if not a whole weekend. Add gas and 2 packs of Marlboro's and $400 isn't looking so bad.
 
Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Active Member
I have the 50amp timer box hardwired to a 50amp circuit breaker. I use the digital timer that comes with it. I really like the fact that it also has 10 amps worth of 120v. Since these are also controlled by the timer, it's perfect for a light mover (no need for it to be running while it's dark) and fans if your using cool tubes... or whatever.

Only drawbacks are its price and the fact that you need a different 120 outlet to plug the timer (I had to improvise).

Good luck!


 
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skinnersone1

Active Member
Richard Pryor said:
I have the 50amp timer box hardwired to a 50amp circuit breaker. I use the digital timer that comes with it. I really like the fact that it also has 10 amps worth of 120v. Since these are also controlled by the timer, it's perfect for a light mover (no need for it to be running while it's dark) and fans if your using cool tubes... or whatever.

Only drawbacks are its price and the fact that you need a different 120 outlet to plug the timer (I had to improvise).

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Did it originally have a dryer plug and you removed it to hardwire? I am lucky to have plenty of 120v outlets near to where the timer would go. So the 120v and 240v outlets are controlled by the same timer? For some reason I thought the 120v outlets were always "on". Thanks
 
SmokeMedprop215

SmokeMedprop215

Well-Known Member
I had the hydro shop rewire my 50 amp tmer box so that one of the 220 plugs stay powered on no matter what, so that I could plug in my A/c 24 hrs, you can adjust outlets accordingly if you know what you are doing :D good luck
 
Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Active Member
skinnersone1 said:
Did it originally have a dryer plug and you removed it to hardwire? I am lucky to have plenty of 120v outlets near to where the timer would go. So the 120v and 240v outlets are controlled by the same timer? For some reason I thought the 120v outlets were always "on". Thanks
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Yes, it had a plug originally, but I bought it used and it already had the mod. Yes, the same timer controls both the 240 & 120 outlets.

I had the hydro shop rewire my 50 amp tmer box so that one of the 220 plugs stay powered on no matter what, so that I could plug in my A/c 24 hrs.
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Very interesting. I also use AC and thought about using the timer box to power it... But realized it would be controlled by the timer and instead created a subpanel with two circuit breakers, one for the timer box and another for the AC.
 
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skinnersone1

Active Member
Thanks everyone for you input. Is the 50 amp version I am considering compatible with the outlet the electrician will install. It is a remodel and I simply said I wanted a 220v stove outlet installed. The range cord on the 50 amp I am considering looks like this http://growwurks.com/images/view.aspx?imageUrl=/images/products/detail/734059.jpg
but I have no idea what the configuration of the outlet will look like and hoping to be sure before I order.
 
Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Active Member
Yeah, the typical stove's receptacle has 3 prongs. The fourth one is for the ground. You could:

a. tell the electrician to install this receptacle



or

b. buy a male 50amp receptacle from your local electric store and replace the one that comes stock with the box with this one. This will void warranty of course.
 
SmokeMedprop215

SmokeMedprop215

Well-Known Member
was wondering if anyone has tampered with the wiring in thier 50 amp boxes was curious to take oe of the 240v 4 plug sides and splitting it into 120v ? I know that it is possible just not quite sure how to get it done
 
scragelynugz

scragelynugz

Well-Known Member
Richard Pryor said:
I have the 50amp timer box hardwired to a 50amp circuit breaker. I use the digital timer that comes with it. I really like the fact that it also has 10 amps worth of 120v. Since these are also controlled by the timer, it's perfect for a light mover (no need for it to be running while it's dark) and fans if your using cool tubes... or whatever.

Only drawbacks are its price and the fact that you need a different 120 outlet to plug the timer (I had to improvise).

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Would it be be easy for me personally (moderate electric knowledge) to rewire one of the outlets to always be 'on' and not on the timer?
 
SmokeMedprop215

SmokeMedprop215

Well-Known Member
here is how I now have my timer box wired $65 at home depot and I got three single boxes also a 20/30 dual breaker so that 30 amps is 220 and 20amps is 110 the 220 outlets are on the side and I added my own 220 timers for $20 each to run what I need individually the box is now powered on full time
 

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GypsyBush

GypsyBush

Well-Known Member
I also use a 50 amp box plugged into an unused electric stove outlet...

I LOVE mine... it lets me sleep better at night...:razz:
 
T

TooActive

Member
Richard Pryor said:
I have the 50amp timer box hardwired to a 50amp circuit breaker. I use the digital timer that comes with it. I really like the fact that it also has 10 amps worth of 120v. Since these are also controlled by the timer, it's perfect for a light mover (no need for it to be running while it's dark) and fans if your using cool tubes... or whatever.

Only drawbacks are its price and the fact that you need a different 120 outlet to plug the timer (I had to improvise).

Good luck!
Click to expand...

How much this add up to?
 
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