Sunleaves 3 Timer Problems

DubRules

DubRules

Well-Known Member
So I let my roommate talk me into using a digital timer this go around. I bought a Sunleaves 3 digital timer from the local grow store and have been trying to get it to work for about two weeks. My problem is that it won't turn off. I followed the instructions and was able to set my times, but there is nothing in the pamphlet about actually turning the timer on and off. I have tried every setting in the menu and it still will not freaking turn off on its own.
Has anyone ever used this timer before and know what setting it has to be on? (ie auto, on auto, off auto, off, on, etc..)
I decided to use a manual timer until i can (hopefully) figure this one out. I'm kind of concerned while using this manual timer too because when it is in its "off" state, my ballast hums like its trying to fire.
I feel like such an ass asking about this, but it's pissing me off. I mean, who the fuck can't work a damn timer?
*hangs head in shame*
 
southern homegrower

southern homegrower

Well-Known Member
i have gone through 3 of the timers your talking about . my first one i had the same prob as u sent it back got a new one and the same prob sent it back got a new one and it worked used it for the last month of flower. unplugged it didnt use it for 1 month and then plugged it in for a test run and it did not work. got a mechanical timer now and i have no more problems. i will not use a sunleaves digital timer again.
 
hiroshima

hiroshima

Active Member
I take it your using a contactor with your setup? as plugging a ballast in to the timer directly is a sure way to get problems
 
DubRules

DubRules

Well-Known Member
Why do I need a contactor..? I just looked it up on google and understand the concept, but have never seen one implemented in any grow room. I have always gone straight into the timer with the ballast and never had an issue.
Sunleaves sucks. Digital timers suck. Who needs 12 on/off settings per day anyway..?
 
tom__420

tom__420

Well-Known Member
DubRules said:
Why do I need a contactor..? I just looked it up on google and understand the concept, but have never seen one implemented in any grow room. I have always gone straight into the timer with the ballast and never had an issue.
Sunleaves sucks. Digital timers suck. Who needs 12 on/off settings per day anyway..?
Click to expand...
People running hydroponic applications, it is actually essential
 
desert fox

desert fox

Well-Known Member
No experience with that timer. However I just seen that your getting a humming sound from your ballast when your mechanical timer is off!!! I think you have some stray current feeding it from somewhere. Double check all your wiring.
 
DubRules

DubRules

Well-Known Member
So the deal is that this timer is just a piece of shit. I finally got it to run a few test on/off cycles today, but then when I went to plug my HID light into it, I noticed that the screen had frozen like 30 minutes prior. The thing is unreliable and total waste of $30. I'm going to try and exchange it.

In regards to the contactors mentioned above, I asked a few growers (2 hydro, 1 soil) today about them and only one had ever heard of them. The one that had saw no reason to use one. I have seen numerous setups and never once seen a contactor. While it seems like a good precaution to take, it also seems rather unnessecary.

Thanks anyways guys.
 
Total Head

Total Head

Well-Known Member
just my two cents...sunleaves doesnt suck dig timers do. i have the sunleaves mechanical timer and it is awesome. I also have several of their light fixtures/meters and have never been less than satisfied. I have used dig timers of all kinds of brands for all kinds of stuff, some growing related and some not. dig sucks. and cheap sucks too. :joint:
 
hiroshima

hiroshima

Active Member
DubRules said:
In regards to the contactors mentioned above, I asked a few growers (2 hydro, 1 soil) today about them and only one had ever heard of them. The one that had saw no reason to use one. I have seen numerous setups and never once seen a contactor. While it seems like a good precaution to take, it also seems rather unnessecary.

Thanks anyways guys.
Click to expand...
with any ballast 400W or above a contactor is highly recommended, and to most who know, an essential piece of kit.

The reason behind it is because when the ballast is initially fired up the current draw can create an arc or electricity on the relay contact, melting the two metal plates together. if this occurs then the relay will not disengage thus leaving your lights permanently on. With this being said and your lights are on 12/12, then your planst are not going to like suddnly going from 12/12 to a full day of light, or until you notice whats happened.
 
DubRules

DubRules

Well-Known Member
so im still messing with this timer and it still ceases to amaze me.
say you set the timer for the lights to come on at noon and go off at six pm. if you set the timer to do this at any point in time after noon,it will not automatically kick on when you plug it in. the timer has to be set for the cycle before the cycle is set to start, or it will not work. so fucking stupid.
i want to find the engineer and shoot him.

in regards to the contacor issue, i have seen huuuuuuuge gardens that did not use a single one. im not saying they don't exist or that they don't work. i understand what it is and what it is used for, but have yet to see one implemented in a garden. im sure that it would be a good safety measure, but think it somwhat unnessecary since i have rarely heard of ballasts burning out without there being some sort of user error involved.

are contactors available at somewhere like home depot or lowes? if so, how much would one run?
 
hiroshima

hiroshima

Active Member
DubRules said:
so im still messing with this timer and it still ceases to amaze me.
say you set the timer for the lights to come on at noon and go off at six pm. if you set the timer to do this at any point in time after noon,it will not automatically kick on when you plug it in. the timer has to be set for the cycle before the cycle is set to start, or it will not work. so fucking stupid.
i want to find the engineer and shoot him.

in regards to the contacor issue, i have seen huuuuuuuge gardens that did not use a single one. im not saying they don't exist or that they don't work. i understand what it is and what it is used for, but have yet to see one implemented in a garden. im sure that it would be a good safety measure, but think it somwhat unnessecary since i have rarely heard of ballasts burning out without there being some sort of user error involved.

are contactors available at somewhere like home depot or lowes? if so, how much would one run?
Click to expand...
they protect your timer... not your ballast.. seem like you have your mind made up :)
 
DubRules

DubRules

Well-Known Member
hiroshima said:
they protect your timer... not your ballast.. seem like you have your mind made up :)
Click to expand...
i would imagine that having a timer fry with your ballast plugged into it would probably fry the ballast too. in fact a failed timer is the only reason i have seen a failed ballast.

anyway, if you look the last line of my last post, i asked where you can procure a contactor and how much it would cost.

im actually interested in purchasing them because i want to protect my equipment.
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
The one place I don't screw around or try and cheap out is the timer for my lights and K.I.S.S. really applies here.

I use the Heavy Duty Contractor Grade Mechanical Time Switch from Intermatic. This is the one with the metal case, that you have to wire yourself. Rated at 40A.

I chose this from experience, since we have one for an outside light that has been in service for close to 40 years. Yes, 40 years.

Nothing fancy, just off and on and the manual on is like a AK-47 safety, no way it's going to get 'bumped' on or off.

I have a bunch of cheap timers (no digis), that I use for other stuff like fans or my T-5's, but for the HID's, I want reliable and heavy duty.

YMMV

Wet
 
pazuzu420

pazuzu420

Well-Known Member
I was curious if contactors are built into some controller systems that you see in larger grow ops are they not in a ballast? I use a Sentinel MDT-1 Master Digital Timer and I love it so far. I could think of a couple of 'enhancements' they could add to it. Like making the hydro sockets independent but for the price it was perfect for my application. It also contains a high temp overload as well as a delay after power interruption that won't allow the bulb to be refired right away saving on bulb stress.
Those two features when purchased alone then a two decent timers and you could of bought this one for 150$ with shipping is what I gave for it.

Glad I didn't go with sunleaves like I was going to originally!
 
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