Issue on Theben Timer

[barmby]

Hi,

Is this timer, bought at LFS, able to cut-off 300W of MH lights? I am facing problem as mine doesn't seem to do so consistently. It happened twice, I noticed the timer "triggered" but did not cut-off on time and I got to use my finger to trigger the cut-off. That is when I heard the "tick" sound.

300W MH light (With normal ballast - not eballast) & CO2 System are connected to one timer.

Any advise? Thanks in advance

[crandf]

I had something like that too with my no brand $8.90 timer. I dun think its the wattage causing it. Personally I feel all mechanically geared timers may run into such problem, the gears clog or plastic strain or something. Chk your timer specs, should state the maximum operating wattage.

[RonWill]

Colin,

Perhaps I was lucky but I have no issues with Theben timers. There was a time when I had 300w (2 x 150w) MH lights and solenoid going through it without the problems you mentioned.

I later reconnected the solenoid+1MH and another MH on 2 separate Thebens as I wanted the 2nd MH to light up at a different time.

The Thebens are still with me even though I don't run MH now and yours could be a QC oversight.

Regards,
Ronnie Lee

[vinz]

This issue was brought up before. I can't find the thread as the forum search function is not searching the old threads properly (we're working on the fix).

Anyway, it's due to the high wattage load on it. The actual explanation, I have to leave to the EE guys to explain. I had the same problem occassionally when I was running 432W of PLs plus solenoid for my 6 ft tank. Now I'm at 324W plus solenoid and I haven't had the problem for quite a longtime already. When it did happen before, it was only very occassional.

I have several TheBen timers on different tanks and whenever the problem appeared, I'ld swap them around. The "fresh" timer usually won't have the problem with the high load on the 6ft tank, and the "faulty" one would perform perfectly on a lower W tank.

Are all 300W on one ballast or two? If two, plug them to seperate timers. Else look for a timer that can take a higher load. Another plus point... you can set different timings and simulate sunrise, sunset.

[barmby]

Thank you everyone.

Vinz, I think your problem relate to mine. We are running such high watts for big tanks. We must find industrial timer else 'what happen?' when we are away from home? It would mean 24 hrs day light! Disaster is waiting to happen...

Also, I found the article (without concrete solution). The topic is 'a thing about mh lighting and timer' started by Snr Moderator David. But I don't know how to link it. Somewhere around page 12-13 in this forum section.

Hope AQ can help find a solution on this effect of high loading on TheBen timer. Thank you

[vinz]

Just copy the URL from your browser and then paste it. The forum software will auto-detect and hotlink proper URLs.

The thread by David: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/phpbb...pic.php?t=7529

Related topic running concurrent in the APD:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00353.html

[barmby]

It seem like I have found the solution. I used a RELAY CONTACTOR that link between the timer and the ballast MH (300W). I think it has to do with the back voltage or current that prevent the timer from switching off automatically...

[Green Baron]

[quote:b9988b245e="vinz"]Just copy the URL from your browser and then paste it. The forum software will auto-detect and hotlink proper URLs.

The thread by David: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/phpbb...pic.php?t=7529

Related topic running concurrent in the APD:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00353.html[/quote:b9988b245e]

Vincent,
Maybe we should create a sticky thread for "Known Problems" and keep the link there.