No more bad timers

[Growdude]

Made this today at work :D
It is a 30 amp relay controlled by the timer so no load passes thru the timer.
Also has built in amp gauge to monitor current draw.

[bombbudpuffa]

Cool. That's a nice lil invention.

[allgrownup]

Totally blatant use of a safety device........might as well put a fire extinguisher in the room while your at it.... ;)

[Growdude]

Totally blatant use of a safety device........might as well put a fire extinguisher in the room while your at it.... ;)

I dont get it ?:confused:

[Weeddog]

Nice to see someone else besides me is using contactors to carry the load of those lights. This does take all the load off the timer. I never thought of the amp guage tho. Great idea dude. Looks very safe to me.

[MrPuffAlot]

Can you make me one??

[someguy]

so hows this timer workin for ya now?

[Tater]

That is awesome, really really awesome, thats exactly what I need. Expect a PM from me in the comming weeks my friend, I may need to pick your brain. Nice work.

[Growdude]

so hows this timer workin for ya now?

Still working, im going to be on grow 3 with it soon.

[meds4me]

GREAT JOB ! thats the kind of thing to pass on to others !!!

[smokybear]

Nice work my friend. Take care and be safe.

[DonJones]

I'm just a little confused about what the purpose of the Ammeter is. If you know what the input specs are for your light set up and you are using a heavier rated circuit, then why do you care what the actual amperage is?

I'm not criticizing you, just asking for your reasoning so that I'll understand the purpose for it.

Also, for us that are a little -- or a lot-- less knowledgeable about household/commercial electrical things, where can we find these AC relays and boxes?

Approximately what should we expect to pay for the components for the relay, components and box?

Thanks for the great idea!

Don Jones

[Growdude]

I'm just a little confused about what the purpose of the Ammeter is. If you know what the input specs are for your light set up and you are using a heavier rated circuit, then why do you care what the actual amperage is?

I'm not criticizing you, just asking for your reasoning so that I'll understand the purpose for it.

Also, for us that are a little -- or a lot-- less knowledgeable about household/commercial electrical things, where can we find these AC relays and boxes?

Approximately what should we expect to pay for the components for the relay, components and box?

Thanks for the great idea!

Don Jones

I plug 2 400 watt lights and some fans into it, lets me make sure Im not pushing thing too much, Really it was just laying around so I said Yea thats trick.
As for the relay A electrical supply or try Mcmaster carr.com
Prob. around 50$ for the timer and box or so.

[DonJones]

My idea was to use something like this to control several low current items at once with one timer. Like say using the relay to power 8 duplex plugs and run 15 air farm hydro setups off of one time and another identical setup to run the air stones to aerate the 15 individual reservoirs off of one other timer, and finally another relay to run the lights and fans of off another single timer.

Is that kind of what you had in mind, as well as reducing the current load on the timers.

I can understand using the ammeter just because you had it around. I've done similar things myself.

Thanks for the idea and the quick explanation.

Don Jones

[Growdude]

My idea was to use something like this to control several low current items at once with one timer. Like say using the relay to power 8 duplex plugs and run 15 air farm hydro setups off of one time and another identical setup to run the air stones to aerate the 15 individual reservoirs off of one other timer, and finally another relay to run the lights and fans of off another single timer.

Is that kind of what you had in mind, as well as reducing the current load on the timers.

I can understand using the ammeter just because you had it around. I've done similar things myself.

Thanks for the idea and the quick explanation.

Don Jones

The main reason to use this is in high current applications to save the timer contacts.

[DonJones]

Growdude,

I have come up with a new question that I think the answer to is probably "Yes, it'll work." but I want to be sure before I try it.

I was thinking of using 2 of your relays controlled off of one timer. My timers all have 2 outlets. I was thinking of using one outlet to control the relay in the box and the other outlet to control a second relay/outlet box powered by a second circuit by connecting an extension cord from the timer outlet through the control circuit only on the second relay and then running the separate second circuit through the Input/Output circuit only.

My logic is that the control circuit is electrically separate from the switched circuit and do NOT have to be powered from the same source circuit. ( in fact if I remember my AC 110 v electrical stuff correctly, I could even plug the timer into a wall outlet, put the 2 relays on the 2 opposing legs of a 220 v line from the breaker box and control the 2 relays with the extension cords from the timer that is plugged into the wall outlet.) Is that correct and will it work?

If my explanation/question is confusing, please let me know and I'll try to sketch a schematic for you.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your patience?

Don Jones

[Growdude]

Growdude,

I have come up with a new question that I think the answer to is probably "Yes, it'll work." but I want to be sure before I try it.

I was thinking of using 2 of your relays controlled off of one timer. My timers all have 2 outlets. I was thinking of using one outlet to control the relay in the box and the other outlet to control a second relay/outlet box powered by a second circuit by connecting an extension cord from the timer outlet through the control circuit only on the second relay and then running the separate second circuit through the Input/Output circuit only.

My logic is that the control circuit is electrically separate from the switched circuit and do NOT have to be powered from the same source circuit. ( in fact if I remember my AC 110 v electrical stuff correctly, I could even plug the timer into a wall outlet, put the 2 relays on the 2 opposing legs of a 220 v line from the breaker box and control the 2 relays with the extension cords from the timer that is plugged into the wall outlet.) Is that correct and will it work?

If my explanation/question is confusing, please let me know and I'll try to sketch a schematic for you.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your patience?

Don Jones

If I understand correctly it will work.
The timer can turn on 2 relays with no problem, then if you had 2 different source voltages it would be fine.
And yes you could use it to control a 220 volt line with a 120 circuit.