Uncontrollable lights!!!

[bguile]

I need help guys.

Ok. It's been a few months and 3 timers. I have 2 Icecap 430's powering two CoralVue 250W DE bulbs. I've gone through 2 Coralife Power Centers and a regular two plug timer.

The problem is that after using the timers for a while, the MH's do not turn off when they are scheduled to whether the timer is supposed to switch them off or not. I have to unplug the timer (or plug) to get the lights to turn off, but they'll come on again after the ballast resets if their plugged back in. Anyone have any suggestions on this? It almost seems like the timers get blown and is in an always on state. Help would be greatly appreciated.

[charlie]

Are you using the heavy duty timers, with the 3-prong plug? How many other things do you have plugged in on this particular circuit, it sounds to me like there may be an overload here somewhere.

[Reefland]

We have always used the cheapy timers from Wal-Mart and have never had a problem with our Icecap ballast.

[kevinpo]

An IceCap 430 ballast is made for florescent bulbs. I wouldn't think it would even fire a metal halide.
Here is a link to IceCap's technical data sheet on what the ballast is designed to run.

http://www.icecapinc.com/flapp.htm

Regards,
Kevin

[bguile]

I apologize, I didn't mean the 430. I have two 250W IceCap Ballasts. They are the only things plugged into this timer. Is that too much? Does everyone use seperate timers for each ballast?? I didn't read anything about "heavy duty" on these. I just picked them up from Harbor Frieght for $5 each after the Coralife Power Centers got blown out. If these aren't good enough, does anyone have any recommendations to control these?

[Poseidon]

I use seperate timers for each of my ballasts and have had ZERO issues. I also recommend the "heavy Duty" ones. Easy to tell, they have the ground plug in them.

[charlie]

I use seperate timers for each of my ballasts and have had ZERO issues. I also recommend the "heavy Duty" ones. Easy to tell, they have the ground plug in them.

Me too

[bguile]

Yeah. These all had ground plugs in them. Just too much draw I guess. The Power Center were supposed to be designed to handle these...they failed. Is there some type of rating the timers should have to be heavy duty?

[TROY182]

I think standard timers are 10Amp timers heavy duty are 15 amp timers. I run 3 400 watt PFO on thier own 10Amp timers. my magnetic ballast say 4.8 amps per bulb max draw. If I remember correctly.