{"product_id":"gavita-master-controller-el1-gen-2","title":"Gavita Master Controller EL1 Gen 2 – Grow Light Controller","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSwitch, dim and protect a whole room of Gavita lights from one box\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eGavita Master Controller EL1 Gen 2\u003c\/strong\u003e is Gavita's entry-level \u003cstrong\u003ecentral lighting controller\u003c\/strong\u003e for grow rooms running \u003cstrong\u003eGavita e-series fixtures\u003c\/strong\u003e. A low-voltage control cable loops from the controller to each fixture, and from then on the EL1 runs the room: it switches up to \u003cstrong\u003e40 fixtures\u003c\/strong\u003e on one channel from its built-in \u003cstrong\u003e24-hour timer\u003c\/strong\u003e, sets their output anywhere from \u003cstrong\u003e50% to 115%\u003c\/strong\u003e, ramps them up and down with a \u003cstrong\u003esunrise and sunset\u003c\/strong\u003e period of up to \u003cstrong\u003e30 minutes\u003c\/strong\u003e, and watches room temperature through its sensor. The second-generation controller adds \u003cstrong\u003enon-volatile memory\u003c\/strong\u003e, so settings survive a power cut, and \u003cstrong\u003eevent logging\u003c\/strong\u003e, so you can see what happened while you were away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplaces timers and contactors\u003c\/strong\u003e – fixtures plug straight into mains sockets and wait on standby for the controller's signal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo switch-on inrush\u003c\/strong\u003e – with every ballast already on standby, there is no surge when the lights come on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCentral dimming and boost\u003c\/strong\u003e – \u003cstrong\u003e50–115%\u003c\/strong\u003e output, shown as a percentage or in watts, for \u003cstrong\u003e400W, 600W, 750W and 1000W\u003c\/strong\u003e ballasts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuto-dim and emergency shutdown\u003c\/strong\u003e – lights dim to hold your set temperature and switch off completely if the room keeps overheating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear interface\u003c\/strong\u003e – OLED display with status LEDs, five buttons, five languages, °C or °F and a 24-hour or AM\/PM clock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGen 2 memory and event log\u003c\/strong\u003e – settings kept through power cuts; auto-dims, temperatures and shutdowns recorded.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHeat Spikes and Switch-On Surges\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the climate system cannot keep up – a heatwave, a failed extractor, a stuck air-conditioning unit – lights left at full power can push a grow room past a safe temperature in minutes, stressing plants and risking real damage. The EL1's temperature probe dims the lights to hold the limit you set and flags it on the display and warning LED, so you know it happened even if you were out; if the temperature keeps climbing it shuts the lights down altogether. Switching a bank of HID ballasts through a contactor also draws a heavy inrush current at lights-on. Because the EL1 keeps every ballast on standby and wakes them with a signal, that surge disappears along with the timer and contactor box.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet each fixture to EXT\u003c\/strong\u003e (external control) on its dial and plug the fixtures directly into the mains.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLoop the control cable\u003c\/strong\u003e from the controller to the first fixture and on from fixture to fixture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlace the temperature sensor\u003c\/strong\u003e at canopy height, out of direct light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgram the controller\u003c\/strong\u003e – on\/off times, ballast wattage, output level, sunrise\/sunset period and your auto-dim and shutdown temperatures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck the event log\u003c\/strong\u003e after any warning to see when, and why, the controller stepped in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-specs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gavita\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Master Controller EL1, second generation (Gen 2)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatible fixtures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gavita e-series (DigiStar and Pro-line e-series), set to EXT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting channels:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFixtures per controller:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40 on a single bus without a booster; up to 500 on a repeater bus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput setting:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50–115%, displayed in % or watts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBallast types:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400W, 600W, 750W, 1000W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimer:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24-hour on\/off\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunrise\/sunset:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0–30 minutes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature protection:\u003c\/strong\u003e auto-dim and auto-shutdown at set temperatures; 1 temperature sensor; sensor calibration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay and controls:\u003c\/strong\u003e OLED display, status LEDs, 5 buttons, 5 languages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMemory:\u003c\/strong\u003e non-volatile, with event logging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnits:\u003c\/strong\u003e °C or °F; 24-hour or AM\/PM clock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e low-voltage control device\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat is the difference between the EL1, EL2 and the F versions?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eThe EL1 has one lighting channel. The EL2 has two, so it can run two rooms on separate or opposite light cycles, and adds outputs for external contactor modules and alarm contacts. Gavita's EL1F and EL2F add EC fan control on top. This listing is the EL1 Gen 2, for lighting control.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWill it work with my lights?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eIt controls Gavita e-series fixtures – DigiStar and Pro-line e-series, such as the Gavita Pro 6\/750e – which have an EXT setting for external control. Check your fixture is an e-series model before buying.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDo I still need a contactor?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eNo. The fixtures plug straight into mains sockets and stay on standby until the controller signals them, so the controller replaces the timer and contactor. Make sure the circuits feeding the sockets are rated for the total load of the lights.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat happens if the power goes off?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eThe Gen 2 controller has non-volatile memory, so your times, output and temperature settings are kept and it carries on when the power returns.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWorks Well With\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-related\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin:12px 0 0;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gavita-pro-6-750-e-series-se-hps-grow-light\" style=\"flex:1 1 240px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;background:#fff;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/g_gavita-6_750-drblooms-500x500-0.jpg?v=1785165927\u0026amp;width=160\" alt=\"Gavita Pro 6\/750 E-Series SE HPS Grow Light\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:64px;height:64px;object-fit:contain;flex:none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.4;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"display:block;\"\u003eGavita Pro 6\/750 E-Series SE HPS Grow Light\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#008d37;\"\u003eAn e-series fixture the EL1 controls\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gavita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53930842063114,"sku":"LGT-GAV1-002-01","price":163.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/gavita-master-controller-el1-gen-2-default-title-1.jpg?v=1792275233","url":"https:\/\/hydrocropshop.co.uk\/products\/gavita-master-controller-el1-gen-2","provider":"Hydro Crop Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}