Tank Light Timer?

[Qays]

Where can i find tank light timers?

Thanks!

EDIT: Will this work? http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/PLUG-IN-24HR-TIMER-E...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Liam]

Any timer will do, all you need is one that turns on the light and later turns it off,. They sell them in supermarkets or B&Q etc, the one on the ebay link should be fine.

 

[jarmado]

argos.

 

[gizmo001i]

Be careful which timer you buy if you are using flourescent lights as only certain timers can handle the power needed to first start the lights up. If you don't buy one that is suitable for flourescent lights, you may find that the timer will burn out. They are a little more expensive, but well worth it for peace of mind. It should say on the description/packaging if it is suitable.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Ive always used the type that you put a link to and never had any probs.

Have a look in places like IKEA ( really really cheep) or Home base, B&Q Wilkinson's you can get them any where.

Graeme

 

[jarmado]

i have started a topic about flouresecent timers a few months ago:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...143369&hl=timer

i ended up buying from homebase.

 

[gizmo001i]

Honestly, I am an electrician and even though the timers have worked well for you, I wouldn't trust using a normal timer on a flourescent tube where the timer is hidden away. The high current that flourescent tubes take to start up could very well burn out the timer after a time and cause a fire. Fair enough, there will be alot of water around to put the fire out, but I wouldn't take the risk myself.

 

[Qays]

Oh, thats a scary fact.

I have never heard it happen before so "oh well"

 

[jarmado]

Honestly, I am an electrician and even though the timers have worked well for you, I wouldn't trust using a normal timer on a flourescent tube where the timer is hidden away. The high current that flourescent tubes take to start up could very well burn out the timer after a time and cause a fire. Fair enough, there will be alot of water around to put the fire out, but I wouldn't take the risk myself.

would the fuse take care of the overload?

 

[gizmo001i]

No it wouldn't. As the fuse fitted will be enough to cope with the extra load of the tube starting. The fuse will blow if the timer blows, but by then it could already be on fire. Qays contact your local fire station and ask them. They will honestly be able to give you a fair few cercumstances where this has happened. It's like using an extension lead with alot of the cable still wound around the holder. Not alot of people realise that they are sitting on a very likely fire if used like that. Electricity produces an awful lot of heat, even if it isn't an electric fire. No electrical equipment is 100% efficient and most of the waisted electricity is given off in heat. Normal timers aren't built to deal with the heat given off by repeated starts of a flourescent tube. So over time the unit will fail due to the heat produced.

 

[Qays]

Quoted:

THESE ARE BRITISH SAFETY STAMPED BS1363.BE AWARE OF FAKE IMPORTS FOR SALE,EASY TO USE AND PROGRAM IN 15 MINUTE SEGMENTS,FULL INSTRUCTIONS ON,IN PACKAGING,DETAILS ON PACK SAYS 250V-50HZ 250V-13 (2) A,0-3200W,DONT LET THIS PUT YOU OFF IT JUST MEANS YOU CAN USE IT IN YOUR NORMAL HOME AS A DAY TO DAY ITEM

and

ideal for growing plants too

They are obviously going to be designed to take the amount of electricity stated above.
The amount of electricity taken in by the unit is 14watts, this is then stepped up (step up transformer) within the unit, this does not interfer with the plug, the plug just constantly takes 14watts of electricity.

 

[gizmo001i]

Sorry have to disagree there as a transformer still has to get the power from somewhere. Believe me after earning an HND in electromechanical engineering specialising in power and distribution, I do know what i am on about lol.

 

[Qays]

lol. I understand. Would a timer be double insulated or specially fused. It should be safe for growing plants (which are always grown using fluroecent lighting).