Power loads, HPS Bulbs???? some help please :p +rep for helping

sputniknz

sputniknz

Active Member
Im not a electrician, obviously.

FYI: I am in New Zealand, power here is 230/240v @ 50hz

1) Can i run a 600w HPS and its ballast aswell as a standard desk fan over a 10ft extension cable plugged into a double adapter thats plugged into a wall socket without worrying?

Note: The double adapter in the wall socket is there coz the missus does the ironing in the room and its the only socket, so at times there will be a iron running aswell. Im afraid to test it coz my grow is underway and i dont want to blow the bulb. I have a Residual Current Device in the grow box, not sure if this helps.

2) Can i trust my HPS bulb to last for 10+ weeks at 20/4, or is it likely that it will blow out?
 
sputniknz

sputniknz

Active Member
Pureblood89 said:
probably, how many amps total?
Click to expand...
ok just took some pics of the sticker on my ballast, the fan doesnt have an amps reading just says 12v.

IMG_0889.jpg


If you cant see on the pic it says:

"Lighting Control Gear
600w HPS LAMP 105V 6.2A"

and below in small writing

"Input 240V 2.6A"
 
newworldicon

newworldicon

Well-Known Member
If you are running 230/240V then your amps are pulling 2.7, perhaps 2.9 at startup, the 6.2 is if it is run at 110v but this does not apply to you. Runnning the lamp and fan is fine as your socket should at least be 13amp. Try not to exceed 80% of that amphere available for safety within limits.

The iron is another thing, try to establish it's amp draw. If it does not say so on the iron then check the web for it's details. I can image a simple heating element would draw a decent load so be sure for piece of mind.

Try to get a relay for the ballast, it would be safer with that magnetic ballast. The bulb will last usually no less than 5000 hours but bare in mind it loses intensity quickly after 6 months or so.

Hope that helps.
 
sputniknz

sputniknz

Active Member
newworldicon said:
If you are running 230/240V then your amps are pulling 2.7, perhaps 2.9 at startup, the 6.2 is if it is run at 110v but this does not apply to you. Runnning the lamp and fan is fine as your socket should at least be 13amp. Try not to exceed 80% of that amphere available for safety within limits.

The iron is another thing, try to establish it's amp draw. If it does not say so on the iron then check the web for it's details. I can image a simple heating element would draw a decent load so be sure for piece of mind.

Try to get a relay for the ballast, it would be safer with that magnetic ballast. The bulb will last usually no less than 5000 hours but bare in mind it loses intensity quickly after 6 months or so.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
What is a relay? And what is it to the ballast?

My Iron doesn't say how many amps, and i cant find anything online, all it says is 1600W-2000W.
 
newworldicon

newworldicon

Well-Known Member
sputniknz said:
What is a relay? And what is it to the ballast?

My Iron doesn't say how many amps, and i cant find anything online, all it says is 1600W-2000W.
Click to expand...
A power relay allows the current to be delivered evenly and consistently to the ballast, it also prevents the timer on the lights from frying under the load and sticking on permanently. The timer has to hold back the current during the off time which puts pressure on it and often fries the thing.

A simple and effective version for a single light:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PLUG-&-GROW-HEAVY-DUTY-TIMER-CONTACTOR-RELAY-HYDROPONIC_W0QQitemZ160478410317QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=206157718542&rvr_id=206157718542&cguid=b4ea51d012d0a0e20447b077fed68dfa#ht_1448wt_924

Or a multiple set up:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HYDROPONIC-POWERSTAR-LIGHTING-CONTACTOR-RELAY-3Kw-4-way_W0QQitemZ120657556394QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=206149990966&rvr_id=206149990966&cguid=b4ea51d012d0a0e20447b077fed68dfa#ht_5722wt_725

If the iron is drawing 1600-2000W then I'm pretty sure it is drawing a fair bit of amphere, which is not desirable especially with no relay!!

get a relay for safety sakes and use the iron elsewhere.
 
sputniknz

sputniknz

Active Member
newworldicon said:
A power relay allows the current to be delivered evenly and consistently to the ballast, it also prevents the timer on the lights from frying under the load and sticking on permanently. The timer has to hold back the current during the off time which puts pressure on it and often fries the thing.
If the iron is drawing 1600-2000W then I'm pretty sure it is drawing a fair bit of amphere, which is not desirable especially with no relay!!
get a relay for safety sakes and use the iron elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Ok, just quickly.... the timer i have looks alot like the thing you are talking about. Check the link for the timer i have...

http://sog.shopau.biz/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=9&products_id=175

And here is a picture of the back of my timer:

IMG_0898.jpg

But as it says timer.... and not "relay" i presume its not what you are talking about. Or is it?:?:

Also, last night was my first night under the HPS.... with everything plugged in i switched on the setup.... Lights on, Fan running everything great!. The timer was set to go ON at 6am this morning. When i woke at 7.30am the setup was still off:-(. The timer had power, but the RCD had tripped, so i pushed the reset button on the RCD and wham!...lights on everything running perfect!!:-P....so ill give you info on the RCD....

Click Here- This is what the RCD looks like!

Below is a picture of the back of my RCD! for specific info.

IMG_0897.jpg

:idea:Do i need the RCD????..... Everything works fine without it, the only reason i put it on there was because i had it and it sounded like a good thing to have.

FYI: This is how everything is plugged in:

WALLSOCKET>10ft POWER LEAD> TIMER> RCD> 2-WAY SPLITTER to the fan and ballast.

I am prepared to dump the RCD right now so please advise.:wall::wall::wall:

+rep for the help, cheers dude! :clap::clap::clap:
 
newworldicon

newworldicon

Well-Known Member
sputniknz said:
Ok, just quickly.... the timer i have looks alot like the thing you are talking about. Check the link for the timer i have...

http://sog.shopau.biz/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=9&products_id=175

And here is a picture of the back of my timer:

View attachment 1416670

But as it says timer.... and not "relay" i presume its not what you are talking about. Or is it?:?:

Also, last night was my first night under the HPS.... with everything plugged in i switched on the setup.... Lights on, Fan running everything great!. The timer was set to go ON at 6am this morning. When i woke at 7.30am the setup was still off:-(. The timer had power, but the RCD had tripped, so i pushed the reset button on the RCD and wham!...lights on everything running perfect!!:-P....so ill give you info on the RCD....

Click Here- This is what the RCD looks like!

Below is a picture of the back of my RCD! for specific info.

View attachment 1416640

:idea:Do i need the RCD????..... Everything works fine without it, the only reason i put it on there was because i had it and it sounded like a good thing to have.

FYI: This is how everything is plugged in:

WALLSOCKET>10ft POWER LEAD> TIMER> RCD> 2-WAY SPLITTER to the fan and ballast.

I am prepared to dump the RCD right now so please advise.:wall::wall::wall:

+rep for the help, cheers dude! :clap::clap::clap:
Click to expand...
Your timer seems fine, pretty much a heavy duty one, the RCD is always helpful as it is a cut off but not really necessary. I still wouldn't use the iron on that socket though.

Good luck.
 
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