High Power Lighting Relays

[Agent-Smith]

I've been reading about these things but I'm still not 100% sure if I understand it correctly.


Rated at 30 amps @ 240 volts.

The MLC-4 Master Lighting Controllers are the best devices for controlling up to four HID lights from one time-clock or controller. You run 30 amp, 240 volt power into the MLC-4, and all of the outlets are controlled by one 120 volt

[Deltanugz]

...

[Agent-Smith]

This is my plan:

4- 400W HPS
2- 250W MH
1- 8000BTU window A/C unit
2- 400-600CFM blowers
2- decent sized air pumps
2- probably 300-500GPH water pumps

What do you think I would need for all of this?

[Old Toby]

Each relay is for, basically, each room. You'll want at least as many outlets as the max lights you'll want in the room. The MH don't really need the relay...not that big a draw. You will use a timer, like the one you would use for the lights, it will be plugged into the wall. The trigger is a corded plug, that simply plugs into the timer. When the timer turns on, the power to all the lights is turned on....but the power doesn't need to run through the timer. Keeps things from burning up. Personally I like to keep the pumps and fans on 24/7. Since the power via the relay is on the bloom timer sequence, it won't power fans or pumps when the lights are off.

I like the Sunlight Supply 50amp timer boxs. 8 240v plugs and 2 120v.....about all you'd need for a single room. :D About 400 bucks, plug and play...no wiring needed. Draws all the power from a HUGE electric range plug. The outlets are found at most hardware stores.

Old Toby

[Agent-Smith]

Thanks Old Toby, I've been looking at those:

POWER CORD: 1 - 50 Amp Range Cord
BREAKERS: 1 - 20 Amp Quad Breaker 240 volt
1 - 10 Amp Breaker 120 volt RECEPTACLES:
8 - 240 volt Receptacles
(supplies up to 8 - 1000 watt light systems)
2 - 120 volt Receptacles (supplies ac ces so ries such as fans or light mov ers)
DIGITAL TIMER:
• 7-Day Digital Timer
• 42 Weekly ON/OFF Settings
• 6 Daily ON/OFF Settings
• Manual Override
• Battery Back-up
This unit allows the user to run up to 8 - 1000 watt light systems and up to 10 amps of accessories from the same timer. An inline fuse protects the timer. Internally, the timer operates a contactor to control the power supply to the receptacles.
Product Description Size/Color MSRP
# 735059 50-Amp Timer Box $ 429.95 Each

http://www.nationalgardenwholesale.com/prodimages/INST_734059.jpg

If I were to get one of these, how do I wire that in to my existing electrical unit? Can you extend these 6 foot power supply cords?

[Old Toby]

What I did is add a 50A 240v circuit...The 50A breaker, conduit, 10/4 wiring and a 50A range...all found at Home DePot. Also have the smaller unit, 30A for the mums and clones. That would be big enough for 4 lights.

I think the UL rating doesn't allow a longer cord.....it would be very heavy and more prone to heating up.

Adding a new circuit isn't too tough but it's imtimidating the first time. Moving into a house, an electrician can be hired to run it and put the plug where you want it. Tell him your going to do pottery and have an electric keln. ;D Put the plug at about 8' off the floor, the unit about 5' off the ground. Keeps it out of th way and safe. They don't have a built in timer like that picture any longer.....they come with the Eco Plus two plug 1500w digital timer and a cord that runs 5' to it.

With that unit you have the same relay as the others you mentioned at first, but also have local breakers. Each bank of 4 240v outlets has a 20A breaker on the box, plus a 10A for the 120v bank. That will give you enough for the lights and the AC. One thing to keep in mind is that you'll only want to use these if you're running 240v ballasts.

Tobold Hornblower

[Agent-Smith]

Well here is where I run into a problem. My home has the old style screw in fuses, and like 4 main relays. I think that's what they are. They have a little handle in the middle and you can pull them out, they have four prongs on them.

So what do I do with that? If you need a picture of it, I could provide one.

[Old Toby]

heh, I grew up with those. You need a professional. I do everything to code, wouldn't know where to start with the old fuse systems.

Tobold Hornblower

[Agent-Smith]

Well I was thinking it might be easier to switch out the old fuse box for a newer style. It would be really easy to add a circuit to one of those. Plus Lowe's has box kits with lots of breakers for around $100-$150.

[Old Toby]

'that's what you'd have to do. It's all standard upgrade work, so the Lowes guy will be able to get you everything you need. I was about 8 when Mom and Dad had the swimming pool installed, thus out went the glass fuses in went the 200A service.

Tobold Hornblower

[grasshopper]

fwiw

[Agent-Smith]

Oh definitely I'll have a pro do it. :teeth: Guess I'm gonna have to make some calls......Uh yeah, I'm putting in an air compressor and saws and all types of machines to make a workshop....yeah workshop....that's it ;)

[hydrorascal]

Im very sure you are gonna have a nice welder in your 'workshop'. They are reeal power hogs.

Very glad to see ya asking 'how to' here. Most of us will not tolerate sub code answers, responses or suggestions. As I spot such answers I delete them. WE have enough to deal with to not have to add electrical fires due to some assholes sub code input that is taken by the person asking.

Your workshop idea is right on !!! Get a pro.. do it right .. and you will never have to keep your nose on 'alert' for insulation burning/melting.

I would add... if possible.. watch how he does it.. and learn from it. Ask questions while he is working. You are his boss, you are signing the check !!

Ive had folks laugh at my suggestion to use a 12/3 cord to run a 250w light. Is it over kill?? Ya damn right it is.. its a whole extra $5 spent to NEVER have to worry about hot cords ect.

GFI outlets are almost always available on ebay. If you are patient.. they dont cost much more than a regular one from hd, lowes ect. Again they are overkill.. but getting 25 of them off ebay due to a mislisting for 6 bucks made not using them a non issue.

Be a bitch to loose a crop due to a pump failing at day 48 because of a shitty outlet wiring job.

Be a real bitch to loose your house / freedom due to a shitty wiring job.

Construct safe, grow safe and enjoy your plants. hr

[grasshopper]

Very glad to see ya asking 'how to' here. Most of us will not tolerate sub code answers, responses or suggestions. As I spot such answers I delete them. WE have enough to deal with to not have to add electrical fires due to some assholes sub code input that is taken by the person asking.



with all due respect
untill you get your journymen's license and a few decades of practice under your belt you may want to stick to modding instead of inspecting with a delete key
you can protect the innocent but the truely stupid will find a way regardless of any outside input


fwiw

[hydrorascal]

I started interning in the early 60's.

[Agent-Smith]

Very good words HR. I would never do a job like that myself.....I was an Electricians Apprentice for a while and I have a healthy respect for electricity. Doin the 220 shuffle wasn't high on my to-do list so I decided to pick a different profession! :D

[Agent-Smith]

US here.

[Deltanugz]

...

[Joe King Park]

retarded post; plantbuilder

[Kurious]

I would avoid Green Air stuff when possible, especially when you can buy real industrial grade stuff like Sunlight Supply, or make it yourself for less than half the price.

And the guy who owns the Green Air is a real f**ktard. I'd never do business with them again even if he was giving his cheap ass shit away for free.

Kurious

[chodo]

What the master light controller does is the trigger cable runs 120v across coils in the relays that charge it. Magnetically the charged coils attract the contactor that is inside the box. You run your power wires in this case a 10/3 romex or whatever to the lugs inside of the box which is rated for 30A like the 10/3. You need 10/2 for 120v and 10/3 for 240v. The contactor now carries the load and a cheapy timer can control the coils on the relay so that it does not have to have hardly any load on it, the timer is simply turning the bridge of power on and off on the relay. You run power from the panel to the master light controller into the relay, then plug in the 'trigger cable' which has a 120v cord on it, into a 120v timer.

For any of you guys that wanna do much larger grows I have recently observed a 200a contactor that someone ran their subpanel/ main panel lines into before entering the panel that way each and every ballast had a protected circuit breaker.

This way you could run a 16kw system off a single timered unit and it be perfectly safe.

[marigyp]

You all must be extremely unfortunate. One of the first requirements I needed after I constructed my "hobby" room was contact with a licensed electrical contractor that loved his weed on a regular basis. What do you know I found one. He did all of my upgrade on the power box, ran new heavy duty wire to the "hobby" room, and hard wired outlets around the room for the "welder". He did all of this for three ounces of Southern Cross! Don't mess with electricity unless you are an expert.

Joe "ere: hit this up, help with your posting!

[Agent-Smith]

hey mari....I'm good with electrical.....wiring and things is what I do all day long. It's the theory and stuff like that I have a problem with. :teeth:

[marigyp]

I oncet couldn't spell engineer and now I are one! Ere! Cough! PPass it on!

[Agent-Smith]

:D

[Joe King Park]

i must say i concur with Hydrorascals postings regarding the guages of wire to use
Heat is energy lost, never forget that
i removed some posts last week from this very thread Marigyp , due to frustration from The Prophet Hippocryte Christian

i know i post this website a lot
but i want you to look at the Airforce acoustic fan - controller(3 and 4 amp), thermostat, and heater connection download the data sheet (pdf)

i'll have one within the week so i'll show you how its quality is
www.growell.co.uk

Joe

[Joe King Park]

whilst at the above check relays and contacters
G'Day, A-S
waiting on some diamond sheeting
its nice having a hydro store that has a Grow now, Pay later scheme, 12 months interest free !!!
Joe

[Agent-Smith]

that's a pretty good deal JKP, just be careful they don't sell your info to the wrong people! :teeth: