Timers for MH

[Nickel]

Hi, I am having some problems with timers used to control MH. Seemed like they burntout due to heat from MH's current/control gear. Won;t switch off after turning on MH when setting period is over. They are rated at 3000 Watts and 13 Amps at 230V.

Can anyone using timers advise what to look for or where to get reliable ones ?

[scarab]

I got mine from Home fix DIY. Square looking thing with blue ring. Benn with me for 5 months.

[Nickel]

Sounds same type leh. Maybe I open it up and check inside what happened. I can switch on but it cannot switch off after the set period when all the depressed taps are over the arrow maker.

Any specific brand you using ?

[scarab]

Sorry leh. Wrapper thrown away long ago. If I go there will try to look out for brand.

[reef2]

look for Dersuz, he helped me to solve the problem

[Nickel]

Hi scarab and reef2, thanks for pointers.

Will check it out at dyi shop/lighting shops again. Will try to diagnose the problem tonite by doing a open heart operation on the problematic timers. Likely cause may be due to heat-strokes from the heat of the MH's control gear as they are in same cabinet compartment. But then it is not really that hot as I also have some electronics in there and they are surviving.

[nutx]

Does your timer has a switch by the side indicating ' O - I '? If yes, try to swtich it to the other side and see how.?

or maybe if you connect 500W to 1 timer, the initial current burnt the circuit? (This one I not sure).....

[Nickel]

Checked the settings. The switch is such that the 'clock' is showing, that means it is in timer mode acording to the taps depressed.

Using 1 timer to control one 250W MH only so should not have problem with the current through it.

[Tanggy]

All timers are similiar. Just digital or mechanical. They will not burn out just coz of MH. Not drawing enought current. Even if you have 4x250watt running, you are not even drawing 5amps yet. and the timers even the cheapest ones are rated for 13-15amps.

Assuming you set the timer correctly, there could be a faulty switch in the timer which get jam up sometime.

Why dont you get those made in germany kind if you really after quality. The digital kind (they use a electronic timer circuit to activate a relay to turn on the device connected). The circuit is independent of the power. But around 40 bucks.

I personally using those from carre four. the 8dollar kind. coz using 5 timers and the digital kind will cost me a bomb!

[Nickel]

Disected my timer. Think it is the microswitch inside died. Figured out timers worked om the principles of a microswitch on/off depending on the taps depressed which a lever rocks on activating and controls the microswitch, which in turn controls the 230V mains.

Forsenic (electronic) finding : cause of death : died of microswitch failure.

Conclusion : Not worth rescuing, just go Carrefour buy $9 type to replace. Dead one keep as spare parts.

[19percula]

carrefour got sell meh?

[Nickel]

Have. Go to the electrical department on level 2. Think ard $9 and sometimes comes with a mutli-adapter plug (those square-type allow you to plug in 2 3-pin plugs in parallel).

[19percula]

thanks will check it out