Titan Apollo 8 timer ok to use with Lumatek digital ballasts?

I have two 400 watt lights right now on an Apollo 8 timer. The 2 ballasts are Lumatek 600 watt digital ballasts. The ballasts are adjustable between 600 and 400 watts, right now I obviously have them on the 400 watt setting. The Apollo 8 timer says it is good for 1800 watts, and right now I only am using 800 watts on it. But i'm going to put two 600 watt lights on it once I switch from veg to flowering, therefore using 1200 watts on it. However, the Titan website says not to use the timers with digital/electronic ballasts http://www.titancontrols.net/products/timing/apollo-8.aspx. But I've been using my two 400 watt lights with it no problem so far. Should I be concerned about putting two 600 watt lights on the timer?

I personally dont see how a timer will no whats hooked up to it so i dont think perdonally it would matter but thats my 2 cents

The only timers I have seen with any issues were digitally controlled. RFI caused problems.

on the Titan website, here is why they say not to use the Apollo 8 timer with digital/electronic ballasts: "This timer is not for use with digital or electronic ballasts due to the high in-rush current of the ballast. The in-rush current can be from 10 to 40 times the rated amperage for the product and this burns the contacts inside of the timer making it inoperable. We recommend the use of the Apollo 4 120 Volt ballast timer to operate digital and electronic ballasts."

I know Titan makes that claim but is that an "old" statement that started when digital ballasts first came out? You'd think with all the advancement in digital ballast technology like soft start, etc. this would be wrong on today's Lumatek, Quantum, Galaxy, etc.?

Do the new Lumatek digital ballasts have some sort of "soft start" built in to them?

Worst case the contacts start sticking or arcing. Just go with a better timer.

As far as startup draw I dont see it being any worse than a motor load.

Yes, they do.

Since the new Lumatek ballasts have soft start, I assume I should have no problem using the Apollo 8 timer with two 600 watt ballasts on it?

If you run 2-600's get the Hades 2 from Hydrogalaxy. That thing is the bomb for 2-600's (which is max it can do). I've got 2-Apollo 4's ill sell you so i can get the Hades 2 if you don't want to spend that much. It's new and sweet. I think it's a clone of one of the Sentinel products. Cheap timers do and will fail and that's why i now have Apollo 4's. They are bulletproof. Don't skimp on your timer, actually don't skimp on anything!

acellular said:

If you run 2-600's get the Hades 2 from Hydrogalaxy. That thing is the bomb for 2-600's (which is max it can do). I've got 2-Apollo 4's ill sell you so i can get the Hades 2 if you don't want to spend that much. It's new and sweet. I think it's a clone of one of the Sentinel products. Cheap timers do and will fail and that's why i now have Apollo 4's. They are bulletproof. Don't skimp on your timer, actually don't skimp on anything!

Click to expand...

Have you ever tried the Apollo 8 timer with two 600 watt lights? Is it absolutely necessary that I get a different timer such as the Apollo 4? Or will I be ok with the Apollo 8 because the ballasts have soft start? In the future I eventually want to use two 1000 watt lights, what to use then?

I have not tried the Apollo 8 w/2 600w lights. The funny thing is i have one on the way (for accessories). If you plan to upgrade i'd get 2-Apollo 4's. They have a built in relay and are pretty damn sweet. I'll sell you two that are almost brand new. I just got them and than the Hades 2 came out. 600w are good for me.

acellular said:

I have not tried the Apollo 8 w/2 600w lights. The funny thing is i have one on the way (for accessories). If you plan to upgrade i'd get 2-Apollo 4's. They have a built in relay and are pretty damn sweet. I'll sell you two that are almost brand new. I just got them and than the Hades 2 came out. 600w are good for me.

Click to expand...

I don't wanna buy anything yet. Im just gonna try the Apollo 8 timer first. But how much would you sell the Apollo 4's for? And how long have you had them? And how do you control the time the lights come on with two timers?