timer?

[SKRIZ]

I have an icecap 250-mhi running an iwasaki bulb. I bought a "heavy duty" timer from home depot and hooked it up, but the lamp wont fire. a little orange "light" comes on in the lamp and then shuts off. if i hook the ballast directly into the wall, the bulb fires. So, what timers do you guys use? is something wrong with the one I bought (defective) or is it just not good enough (it was the $10 one)? thanks

[jbjints]

Hi,
It wouldn't hurt to try the to see if the timer is defective, I would first exchange it and see if that solves the problem. I usually just buy a 6 or 7 dollar timer, I don't think you need anything expensive.

Joe

[saltjunkie]

I get all my timers from wal-mart. nothing special....

[GregD]

Skriz,

I have the same problem with the same exact light setup...only difference is my timer is a heavy duty radio shack digital timer (not home depot).

Most of the time it is fine and fires up...occasionally though it will seem to start (little orange firing light appears in bulb) and then goes black. In these cases I am able to turn on and off the timer again and it will fire right up. (this is of course if I am around)

Always assumed it had something to do with the cutoff in the ballast not the timer....let me know if you have any luck with this one...I would love to have a little more consistency!


Thanks,
Greg

[SKRIZ]

thanks for all the replies. I went with a digital timer from HD. GregD, I was having the exact same problem (orange light) with the $10 heavy duty timer. I bought a digital one for $16 from HD and it is also a heavy duty one, and it works great. So far, so good, atleast. For $6 extra, it is well worth the digital feature, and as an added bonus...IT WORKS!

[naser]

i use the same timer.. it seems like it doesnt snap on all the way... leaving it almost like half on... we are cheap.. 400 dollar lights and a 10 dollar timer.

[ASH]

From IceCap:
Just in case the problem returns, call Dave in service at 800-742-3227 ext. 25 and go over your situation. It could be the bulb, socket or ballast. If it's the ballast it may be shutting down before it gives the lamp enough time start. If your digital allows for multiple on/offs, program a second start after the first. I have a 2nd start that is set mid-day, in the event there's a short loss of power and when it comes back on the lamp is too hot to re-start, it will at the 2nd start time.
Andy