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But to ignite the bulbs you need a cap and igniter for each circuit. Thatâ??s why when the power fails you need to give them the 5 min cooling off period. It's more for the cap and igniter to discharge and then you can recharge them again to ignite the bulb.Quote:
Originally Posted by kushman45
That's how they work anyway.
Hello Zandor I am not sure what you mean. with these flips you are changing over to a cold bulb so no need for a cool down period. These units are sold at hydro retailers 1 ballast can run 2 rooms all they do is switch the hot side of the circuit between the bulbs. Again I was hopeing someone might have one and be able to share pictures or maybe someone has built there own. From what I know there is no time delay between the switching but I dont really know I have heard these unit use DPDT Relay's I just dont know what kind. Anyways thanks for all that are interested and your replys I have searched and searched and cant find a how to on these things. I asked someone on another site who was selling them if they would share what type of relay and the person got all pissed and said he could not share that info because it hurts retailers. Well I know these relays cant be that expensive and I told the person that they are way over priced just as many grow supplies are. Oh well guess we will never know I would love to buy one open it up find out what makes it tick and return it.........:)
I just bought a DPDT relay off ebay for 2.50! I hooked it up and it works! Very simple actually. The Wire from the ballast goes to the relay then there are 2 more wires going to each bulb the I hooked up a timer and when it trips the relay flips one light goes off the other starts up. No problems! :thumbsup: :dance: :dance:
cool man glad it is working for you I have not tried this yet. What size light are you flipping 1000, 600, or 400. and do you know the specs on the Relay Like how many amps 20, 30, 40, 50 etc......Be careful some cheap relays might not withstand the inductive load and weld contacts..........:D
Quote:
Originally Posted by kushman45
What Zandor was trying to say is that, the capacitor and the igniter need time to discharge its current load if not you'll probably pop a bulb. But about a flipflop relay all it is is a couple of relays DPDT relays hooked together so that you can have one in and two outs with the same voltage and almost same amperage. Most electricians could build this in no time, I can write you up a schematic if you tell me what exactly you want.
I am flipping 1000 watters. The relay is rated for 20 amps and 277 volts. I checked the starting amps and they were around 6 the drifted back to 5. The voltage starts low and climbs to 260 then hangs there I feel I need a heavier relay to carry the voltage but since the amps are low DO I? In my wasted little brain I figure the cords to the lamps are only 18/2 thats pretty much standard from sunlight supply anyway, My question to all you wizzards out there, is 277 vac enough?
Schematic would be cool if you are in the know how of this I would like to be able to flip at least 2 1000 watt lamps..............:DQuote:
Originally Posted by h3o
Quote:
Originally Posted by fredfarts
well 277 @ 20 amps would be ample for a 5540watt light, But also how is your relay setup? where is your line coming in from? also 18/2 is very small for a something that could run 20 amps. Id at least go with a 14/2 but better yet a 12/2 or if you can run a independent ground 12/3. since you only have a 18/2 im assuming you are only running a 110/120vac line, depending on how the relay is it might not be enough to have the coils strong enough to get the contacts to close.
by flip do you mean, both on at the same time, or when one goes off the other goes on?Quote:
Originally Posted by kushman45
when one goes off the other goes on?
Exactly flipflop using only one ballast..............:)