2 room flipflop relay

[kushman45]

Hello all, new to this site it is full of great peeps and knowledge. I am a hardcore Do It Yourselfer. I am asking this community for some help. I am interested in building a 2 room 4 ballast 8 lamp flipflop relay system. These are super expensive from hydro shops like $400 just for the one I would like to build. I know it works with relays But they need to be strong enough to flip 1000 watt HPS systems. someone must have one and could possibly post pics then we could do a how to on building one. Please help it would be greatly appreciated..........I am posting a Picture of one but it does not show what is inside................

kushman45 Reviewed by kushman45 on 04-21-2006. 2 room flipflop relay Hello all, new to this site it is full of great peeps and knowledge. I am a hardcore Do It Yourselfer. I am asking this community for some help. I am interested in building a 2 room 4 ballast 8 lamp flipflop relay system. These are super expensive from hydro shops like $400 just for the one I would like to build. I know it works with relays But they need to be strong enough to flip 1000 watt HPS systems. someone must have one and could possibly post pics then we could do a how to on building Rating: 5

[Psycho4Bud]

You should be able to get all the supplies at an electrical shop like Radio Shack for the electronics....you may have to build the box yourself though. Most relays are rated in Amps so use the formula watts=volts x amps. They should be able to show you how to wire also...just tell them it's a flip flop circuit with a good story.

Good luck and have a good one!:thumbsup:

[kushman45]

Thanks for your help, yes I am researching this. I dont think to many people are using flipflop systems.......The more I find out I will post more info in the meantime if anyone has info to offer please do so..............:stoned:

[turtle420]

Never heard of it.

Any and all info on "flip-flops" would be greatly appreciated.

[Psycho4Bud]

A flip-flop basically transfers the signal in another direction after a certain amount of time....or by choice. Let's say you have two separate rooms, both at 12/12. From midnight to noon one room would recieve an electrical signal and from noon to midnight the other would recieve it. Hope this helps!


Have a good one!:thumbsup:

[kushman45]

Exactly what psycho described it saves on equipment you can have 2 flower rooms running with 1 ballast the flipflop flips the HPS Bulbs over using relay or contactors with a timer. You need a special type relay that can handle at least the inrush or inductive load at startup for 1000 watt HPS lamps. I know I could build this but i dont know what type of relay the retailers use. And I dont want to spend 400 dollars when this could be built for 150 to 200.................

[Zandor]

Exactly what psycho described it saves on equipment you can have 2 flower rooms running with 1 ballast the flipflop flips the HPS Bulbs over using relay or contactors with a timer. You need a special type relay that can handle at least the inrush or inductive load at startup for 1000 watt HPS lamps. I know I could build this but i dont know what type of relay the retailers use. And I dont want to spend 400 dollars when this could be built for 150 to 200.................

What do you do about the igniters and capacitors? They discharged to light the first bulb so how are you going to recharge them to light the second bulb? That is what the 5 min between lighting is for to cycle the charge to ignite the bulb.

[kushman45]

Hello Zandor, From what I know so far is the ignitor and cap are not affected in any way power is continuous. And when it flips you are fliping to a cold bulb again this is why it would be nice to see one of these or get some info from someone who knows more.................

[Pothed]

so, is that a John Kerry Relay? lmfao!!

[louisville97]

Greetings Kushman,

I'm not educated very much on hydro systems, but I would like to add my two cents worth. What would be wrong with setting each system up on a large capacity timer, each set for the opposite time period? One set for 9am to 9pm and the other starts at 9pm to 9am. Maybe even leave an extra 15 minute buffer zone with the veg timer so it doesnt kick in both at the same time and blow a breaker. Each light cycle would be maintained and I can't see it costing more than $50. Like I said, I am not "up" on hydro systems, but if I was trying to save a buck or two, and my Canadian Government ensures that I do, this would be worth a try for me at least.