JamesINla

Looking over grainger now for a bid I am working on. Intermatic 120v SPDT timer to light up 15 1000 watt ballasts. This is a low budget job (shocker) and I was thinking maybe solid state relays, but price is creepin. What is a quality made reliable relay / socket? Each one needs to be 20A as I am doing 2 ballast on each circuit.
Thanks!!

MDShunk

Can't get any cheaper than HVAC compressor contactors. They're around 10 bucks a piece. Your search terms for that contactor will be definite purpose, 2pole, 24 volt coil.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2UTT4

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MDShunk

Ice cube relays will weld shut, no matter their rating. I already tried that one.

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Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
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wirenut1110

Since you'll have 8 circuits, I would consider just (2) 4-pole contactors. This will also reduce your enclosure size.

I've gotten into the habit of using NC contactors or using contactors where the contacts can be changed to NO or NC. This way, if the coil was to fail the lights would be on.

I'd rather get a call during the day and them telling me the lights are staying on, then to get a call in the middle of the night and they tell me the lights are off.

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drsparky

Don't be a tight wad, just to the job right.

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MDShunk

I hear what you're saying, but part of getting a certain amount of work is figuring out a way to get it done at the price they're willing to pay. So much work simply won't get done if it were not for a contractor thinking of a creative way to hold the line on the project cost.

If there were only one "right" way, then you'd be correct. Since there are so many right ways, with attendant prices all over the map, it's up to the salesman to sell the most expensive job he can that the customer will approve. Sometimes that means selling the cheapest, dirtiest possible installation method and materials.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
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B4T

I have used those contactors many times for lighting control.

Some are over 20 years old and have not had one burn out yet

Spending more money does not make a better job, just a more expensive one to fix.

John Valdes

I have not seen any ice cube relays with a 20 amp contact rating. You will need to look at the other types mentioned above.

bobelectric

What are you trying to do?

MDShunk

Square D makes some. I had to get one for a barber chair once.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
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John

I hve use these for electric baseboard heat. Easy to work with and easy to replace.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...=21&submit.y=4

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JamesINla

If I go with http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2UTT4 that Marc mentioned, I can use each pole at 20 amps, therefor with a total 8 20a circuits and two relays (dpdt) will be less expensive and less work to wire. I was however planning on on a line voltage switch, but I can throw in a transformer. Thanks for the heads up on the cube, that was the direction I was heading.

John Valdes

Before you buy a XFMR, check and see if you can get one with 120 volt coil.
Take a look at this: http://www.weg.net/us/Products-Servi...Control-Relays

JamesINla

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2UTT5

this is actually what I ordered. Thanks

B4T

only bad thing with your choice is it only comes with push on terminals

Other relays listed have screw terminals.. one less thing to go wrong IMO