I wanted to buy a timer for my lights in order to give my fish and plants consistent amounts of light, I have looked around, and so far I have only found an expensive timer for Icecap Ballasts, what are my options for an All-Glass Hood?
A Timer for my Lights
- Thread starter GobyGuy5
- Start date
Any decent hardware store will carry a variety of mechanical light timers that should range in price from about $8 - $15. Some will also carry digital light timers for about $20 - $25 or so.
I use both, but I prefer the digital timers because they are more accurate.
The mechanical timers will look something like this:
And the digital timers will look something like this:
I use both, but I prefer the digital timers because they are more accurate.
The mechanical timers will look something like this:
And the digital timers will look something like this:
Last edited:
Inspect the lable on the light fixture and see how many amps the unit will draw when running. Then go to your LHS and look at the timmers they have. There are several to choose from and most of them are good for 15 amps.and if you are running your lights off one plug then 15 amps is plenty ( if you are drawing more you will blow your breaker in your panel). I got a nice digital one for $30.00 cdn (thats about $2.00 us 
)
)If you've got an electronic ballast (you push the button <click> light comes on) then just plug the timer into your wall outlet, and plug the ballast into the timer. Leave the light turned on and the timer will send power to it, turning on the light, (and vice versa).
If you've got a non-electronic ballast (you hold down a contact until the flourescent flickers to life) then you won't be able to use this without some electrical modifications. I think that The Krib had some discussion about rewiring this kind of ballast for use with a timer.
HTH.
If you've got a non-electronic ballast (you hold down a contact until the flourescent flickers to life) then you won't be able to use this without some electrical modifications. I think that The Krib had some discussion about rewiring this kind of ballast for use with a timer.
HTH.
Personally, I'd recomend the X10 Home Automation System, (the company with all the kinky pop-up ads.) I've had the thing installed in my house since before most people had even heard of the internet, and it works great. Granted, I use it for more then lighting, but I think the value would still be good. You can use remote controls to control the different 'appliance modules.' I can't really discribe it, but check it out, www.x10.com
Buy one with far more capacity than you'll need - fluorescents have huge momentary inrush currents at start up. These can fry barely adaquate timers. (I wouldn't hook up several ballasts to one timer).
Personally digital is the only way to go.
Gumby
Personally digital is the only way to go.
Gumby
I found a power strip, with a mechanical timer built in, at Home Depot....I think!
It has 4 outlets switched by the timer, and 4 unswitched.
I plug the light and uv filter into the switched side, and also one air pump and one heater.
It has 4 outlets switched by the timer, and 4 unswitched.
I plug the light and uv filter into the switched side, and also one air pump and one heater.