Those cheap square plug in timers do. Now, timers that an electrician can hardwire in line, I'm not sure of. That would be a good question to ask him. It might also be able to be placed in a way that is easy to switch out.
Electrical timers
- Thread starter Anyfoot
- Start date
JohnnyB65
Well-Known Member
Ok I was under the impression that all the lights were to come on and off with a single timer which has nothing to do with the power strip, but I guess it sounds like the lights are going on an off at different times which would mean either a number of timers plugged into a single power strip or have an electrician hard wire in a sequential timer with multi circuits.
I know of no timer that will run multiple circuits like this. Your electrician would be the one to ask.
You could make this work with a separate digital timer for each bulb, but you will likely have to adjust them a few times a year and have a bit more over lap.
Personally, even though this sounds kind of neat, it really isn't necessary. You could just hang a lamp or two in one spot and it should suit the tortoises just fine.
You could make this work with a separate digital timer for each bulb, but you will likely have to adjust them a few times a year and have a bit more over lap.
Personally, even though this sounds kind of neat, it really isn't necessary. You could just hang a lamp or two in one spot and it should suit the tortoises just fine.
Your idea sounds neat and I like your idea of moving it like the sun but I think you would have to plug each light into its own timer and set them each to come on and off as wanted. I built a large enclosure and found out real quick how costly it would be to light the entire thing with UVB lights. I ended up running just shop lights (the tube kind) the whole length of the enclosure to provide light in entire enclosure and then hung UVB lights (tube kind) in 2/3 of enclosure,centered, and then I also used a UVB bulb for basking area (just to ensure he gets enough UVB). I have my tube lights set to one timer and my basking light set to another, I have my basking light set to come on 15 minutes earlier then tube lights and to go off 15 minutes after my tubes, to kinda simulate the sun coming up and down. I know it's not exactly the same but my guys do start getting themselves headed to their sleep spots when their tube light pops off. Now during the warm months when we can go outside I unplug my UVB tube lights, I just run the shop lights and basking bulb, we go outside almost daily so they get their UVB from that. I change the UVB bulbs in the fall right before I start using them again so I know their good. This is what I did to cut down on cost and extension cords/timers.
Someone on here, it may have been Tom, suggested a while ago to use the UVB light during the middle of the day, and when it's not in use to use regular incandescent bulbs the rest of the time.
(Excuse me if this has already been mentioned. It just came to me and I was too lazy to go back and re-read the whole thread)
(Excuse me if this has already been mentioned. It just came to me and I was too lazy to go back and re-read the whole thread)
Thank you all. I will digest your thoughts and decide what to do. My electrician reckons he can build me a mini PLC for cheap. I also wanted the uv spread around to help the plant life grow.
Tom. Do you have any more photos of your avatar. That tort looks amazing.
I think this would be a good way to go in most cases, but it will depend on how much UV these bulbs are producing, and the person's climate I think. Anyfoot is in the UK, so indoor UV is much more critical for him than it is for you or I, due to his climate and the lack of warm sunny days for real sunshine outdoors. I started doing this "only use the UV mid day" thing because my Arcadia 12% HO bulbs produce very high UVB levels, so they don't need it all day long as they might with the lower UV levels produced by some other bulbs.
@Anyfoot ,
you are going to need a good UV meter if you don't already have one.
Thanks Tom. I got in touch with the mega zoo bulb supplier in the UK. Says he can sell me them cheaper in bulk. Also told me I must buy a top end uv tester with the bulbs. Which I was going to get anyway. Ive forget the make and model. Got it saved in my emails somewhere. I'll have a look for you to check out for me. The uv tester I have now is like something you get out of cereal box. Cheap and nasty.
Here's the link to the bulbs, I think Tom you have seen this before. Note UV up to 8ft not the standard 3ft.
http://www.megaray.co.uk/mega-ray-160w-zoo-p-128.html
Here are the solarmeters, are these ok and what is the difference between the 2 ?
http://www.megaray.co.uk/solarmeters-c-63.html
Thanks.
http://www.megaray.co.uk/mega-ray-160w-zoo-p-128.html
Here are the solarmeters, are these ok and what is the difference between the 2 ?
http://www.megaray.co.uk/solarmeters-c-63.html
Thanks.
I have both of those meters. Everyone was using the 6.2 for a long while. It measures the entire range of UVB. The 6.5 model is what most people have switched to as it measures the part of the UVB spectrum that specifically pertains to our reptiles.
I would just get the 6.5 meter.
Cheers. I'll get the 6.5. I'm also just going to get 1 bulb 1st and test the uv strength at different heights and radial distance from the centre spot, before deciding what's best to do.
Very good plan. That is what I would do too.
I don't want to poo-poo on your plan because I like what you're doing - taking it this far whereas most would settle for so much less. I'd question how effective it would be having the UVB source constantly moving.
Personally, I'd favor setting up the ambient lighting to gradually turn on simulating dawn, and then maybe have multiple MVB grouped together, turning on in series until they are all on for a short time simulating midday brightness and UVB over a basking zone, followed by the same in reverse simulating dusk-to-evening.
A lighting control panel (Blue Box LT for reference) can be a bit pricey especially when you want that many loads controlled separately). You could source the parts and build something if you want to take the time but depending on how you value your time, it might be less cost effective than just buying the panel. Another option may be greenhouse controllers; if you are going to be concerned about humidity at all, this might be a better option since some can be set up to monitor/control that as well.
I think both meters have their merits, and if possible would recommend both when/if you can.
Personally, I'd favor setting up the ambient lighting to gradually turn on simulating dawn, and then maybe have multiple MVB grouped together, turning on in series until they are all on for a short time simulating midday brightness and UVB over a basking zone, followed by the same in reverse simulating dusk-to-evening.
A lighting control panel (Blue Box LT for reference) can be a bit pricey especially when you want that many loads controlled separately). You could source the parts and build something if you want to take the time but depending on how you value your time, it might be less cost effective than just buying the panel. Another option may be greenhouse controllers; if you are going to be concerned about humidity at all, this might be a better option since some can be set up to monitor/control that as well.
I think both meters have their merits, and if possible would recommend both when/if you can.
I would also add that switching the MVBs on for such a short time would probably get you less net usage out of each bulb. The turning on/off is what wears on the bulbs; turning on for 1-2 hours vs 4 hours per cycle would get you 25-50% as many hours of usage for the same number of cycles.
Hi Craig, all far, far beyond me I'm afraid.
Do what I do.
Just pay someone to do it and then go mental if it doesn't work.
Do what I do.
Just pay someone to do it and then go mental if it doesn't work.
I'm just throwing this out there. I don't know what you're set up is exactly like or what kind of tortoises it is for etc. But to cover such a large area and try to get UV throughout most of it wouldn't it be easier to get long fluorescent type bulbs? For instance I use 48 inch high output bulbs and fixtures. That seems to put UVB over a larger area. Yes I still have to do heat bulbs but when I made my enclosures kind of closed chamber like it wasn't too hard to heat. Just wondering.
That works too.
Hi jaizei. Dont worry about pooping on my idea. I need other peoples ideas. I did contact the bulb supplier and asked if it would increase the bulb life because of less usage. Basically he said I would get the same life span. 12 months ish. You are right turning a bulb on and off more reduces the bulb life. The effect of it moving around the room as the sun was just a positive to my method. Not essential. I know torts don't need uv all day every day. The main thing for wanting to spread uv everywhere was for plant growth. I want to have heavy fowlage indoors. Even try to grow weeds. It will basically be an indoor garden with torts wandering about. There will be 3 fixed windows 3x3ft and one window 3x5ft letting natural light in. No sky windows. But to get plant life to thrive I thought they need sufficient uv. I even thought of 1 uv on a track moving around covering all ground however mechanical parts and very high humidity don't mix well. How about 2 or 3 banks of uv that in turn come on every 3rd day. Anything you can think of throw into the pot. Like your idea and will have to sit down and have a good think about it. Cheers.
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Hi. This is an option. However the uv strips would have to be that low to the ground I would be walking around them. Also i plan on having a rain system in there. So all lights must be above the rain system level. If need be I will go to this method. Thanks.
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