flowering lights question

[aj2702]

i have started flowering 12/12 but since i dont have a timer i am not always on exact time maybe 5mins diff...does this matter?

[LolaGal]

5 mins occasionally doesn't really matter, but why not spend $15 and have it on timer. It's alot easier. Have fun.

[headshake]

you can find a cheap timer for $3-5.

-shake

[oSecretGardeno]

ya man like lola said, 5 min isn't a big deal but what happens when you can't make it home in time for some reason and you miss it by 3 hours? you dont wanna stress your girl like that. spend the 3 bucks at the hardware store, it will take a lot of stress off your back and off your pretty lady.

[stinkyattic]

It matters. Get a timer. I bet you are off by more than 5 minutes at least once a week...

[michaelpeg]

just a little question that relates... are those cheap $5 timers safe to use with 400 watt lights?

[stinkyattic]

Check the amp rating on the back and the amp rating on your light.
If your light draws say, 10a, then you need a timer rated for 12 or 15. Also, never try to run a grounded fixture off a non-grounded timer.
A grounded 'heavy duty' 15a timer should run you 10-15 bucks. A timeclock that you can plug 2k of lights and 1k of air handling gear into will run about $40-60 and require an electrician to wire.
In between, you can find random timers especially at this time of year. I like the intermatic 'outdoor heavy duty timer' for growroom use. It is perfect for a mid-size lamp and blower, and has a cover to prevent water splashing on it.

[michaelpeg]

thanks alot, i actually tried to run my cfls plugged into a power bar and the power bar plugged into a 2 prong digital timer with the use of a 2 to 3 prong outlet adapter. When i was at the store looking for one i asked the lady where they were and she just told me "you shouldn't be using that" and then handed it over to me. I wonder why they sell those things. it didn't work anyways.

[LolaGal]

Intermatic timer is my fave too. Most people use them to turn lights on and off to deter burglars, or use for Christmas lights, wonder why you shouldn't use it...........what do you mean it didn't work? The red plugs are off and green are on, also have to set the correct time before plugging in. Hope this helps.

[stoned88911]

Ya u will def like the timer.

Trust me, i didnt have one at the begining of my grow and it was just a pain in the ass. :rastabanna::rastabanna:

[jobe]

lowes had timers on close out for $1.21 I bought like 20 and i didnt even need them just 2 have ya know

[michaelpeg]

Intermatic timer is my fave too. Most people use them to turn lights on and off to deter burglars, or use for Christmas lights, wonder why you shouldn't use it...........what do you mean it didn't work? The red plugs are off and green are on, also have to set the correct time before plugging in. Hope this helps.


what i mean't is i was using a digital timer without a ground prong and i wanted to plug in a powerbar with a ground prong and you can buy a thing called a 2 to 3 prong outlet adapter which lets you plug something with 3 prongs into an outlet with only 2. i used this to plug my power bar into by digital timer and it didnt work.