Florescent Tubes and Timers

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 08 Mar 2004, 22:23

can anyone tell me why it says "not suitable for use with florescent tubes" on all the automatic timers that i've been looking at in shops today?? what's the alternative if these can't be used?? can you buy special ones for florescent tubes?

stepchild · Post by **stepchild** » 08 Mar 2004, 22:30

I use timers on all my tank light and never had any trouble with them not turning on or off
Bill

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 08 Mar 2004, 22:32

i wonder why it says not to then?? how long have they been running?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 08 Mar 2004, 22:37

The label should read; "Not Suitable for Fluorescent lights without a rapid start ballast."

Remember the older fixtures where you had to hold the button down to get the light to start? This is the reason for the label.

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 08 Mar 2004, 22:54

Hi!

Paul has it right. I don't know the technical, but you can tell by pulling the plug and plugging back. If it goes back on it will work with a timer. It doesn't concern the 'tubes'.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 09 Mar 2004, 12:14

cheers, i'll go and buy some now.

DeLBoD · Post by **DeLBoD** » 09 Mar 2004, 12:57

Try and get a digital timer with relay switches rather than the cheaper mechanical type.
I have had so many problems with the mechanical timers failing one way or another.
Also if you have a power cut the digital timer will keep its on/off settings backed up by battery.