Description
Two lights on one timer, switched by a contactor built for the start-up surge
The Green Power Eco-Switch 2 Way Contactor is a compact, wall-mounted switching unit for a grow tent or small grow room: two switched UK sockets and an integral 24-hour Grasslin timer in one tough metal case, on a moulded mains lead. Plug in up to two lighting ballasts or LED drivers, set the photoperiod on the timer, and the contactor does the heavy switching, so the inrush current of the lights never passes through a timer's contacts. The 2 way unit is rated for a total load of 2,000 W — two 1000W ballasts, or two 600W, 400W or 250W units. Green Power units are made in the UK under licence from Canatronics.
Key Benefits
- Protects the timer — the contactor carries the switching load, not the timer contacts
- Integral 24-hour Grasslin timer, so there is no separate plug-in timer to buy
- Two switched sockets, 2,000 W in total — up to two 1000W lights
- Works with HID ballasts and LED drivers — both draw a surge at switch-on
- Tough metal case with a wall bracket and heavy-duty rubberised moulded plug
- Made in the UK under licence from Canatronics
Burnt-Out Timers and Lights That Stick On
Grow light ballasts and LED drivers draw a sharp spike of current the instant they switch on. Pushed through an ordinary plug-in timer every day, that surge pits and eventually welds the timer's contacts, and the lights either stick on or never come on. A broken light cycle is one of the quickest ways to stress plants in flower and stall growth. With a contactor between the timer and the lights, the timer only switches a small control circuit and the contactor takes the full load.
How to Use
- Fix the unit to a wall or board using its bracket, in a dry spot clear of water and spray
- Plug in your ballasts or LED drivers — one per socket, no more than 2,000 W in total
- Set the light cycle on the 24-hour Grasslin timer: push in the segments for the hours the lights should be on
- Plug the unit into a wall socket. Anything plugged into it, a fan included, switches on and off with the lights — keep always-on equipment on a separate supply
Technical Specifications
- Type: contactor with integral timer, 2 way
- Sockets: 2 x switched UK sockets
- Timer: integral 24-hour Grasslin mechanical timer
- Maximum load: 2,000 W in total (2 x 1000W, or 2 x 250W-600W ballasts)
- Compatible with: HID ballasts (HPS, MH, CMH) and LED drivers
- Supply: moulded mains lead with UK plug
- Case: metal, with wall-mounting bracket
- Made in: UK, under licence from Canatronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it work with LED grow lights?
Yes. LED drivers draw an inrush current at switch-on just as HID ballasts do, so a contactor protects the timer either way. Keep the total load within 2,000 W.
Can I run two 1000W lights from it?
Yes — the 2 way unit is rated for 2,000 W, which covers two 1000W ballasts. For more lights, step up to a 4, 6 or 8 way contactor or a contactor board.
Do I need a separate timer?
No. The 24-hour Grasslin timer is built in; set the on and off times on its dial and both sockets switch together.
