MH timers

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Yah...I wouldn't recommend it. Actually, the problem isn't too bad if you switch it on once and leave running forever. The problem is that MH requires about 200V to 400V to start the arc...after which it drops to around 100V or so. So the initial voltage strike can cause arcing within your timer and cause a fire (like a sparkplug or arc welding...but not quite as dramatic). When the timer is off...the ballast will constantly try to start and hits the timer with 400V zaps because it thinks that the MH lost its arc and needs another zap. Of course, the MH lamp isn't there...so it will zap the timer...over and over and over again. Over time...this can become a problem if it is cheap timer.

- Victor.