{"product_id":"maxibright-sentinel-8-way-control-switch","title":"Maxibright Sentinel 8 Way Control Switch – Contactor Timer","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSwitch Eight Grow Lights From One Timer, Safely\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMaxibright Sentinel 8 Way Control Switch\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cstrong\u003econtactor timer\u003c\/strong\u003e for grow rooms running several lights at once. A \u003cstrong\u003eGrässlin\u003c\/strong\u003e segment timer drives a heavy-duty \u003cstrong\u003eGE contactor\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the contactor carries the load to \u003cstrong\u003eeight individually switched UK sockets\u003c\/strong\u003e, so every ballast or LED driver comes on and goes off at exactly the same moment. A separate \u003cstrong\u003eheater socket\u003c\/strong\u003e sits alongside the light sockets, and the whole unit is rated at \u003cstrong\u003e26A\u003c\/strong\u003e and housed in a powder-coated metal enclosure built in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContactor switching\u003c\/strong\u003e – the timer only operates the contactor, so the start-up surge of several lights never runs through the timer's own contacts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEight switched sockets\u003c\/strong\u003e with illuminated switches – take one light out of the circuit without unplugging it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDedicated heater socket\u003c\/strong\u003e so the grow room heater plugs in at the same control point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e26A rated\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a GE contactor and a Grässlin precision timer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowder-coated metal enclosure\u003c\/strong\u003e with a hanging bracket for a wall or a grow tent pole\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy a Plug-In Timer Struggles With Grow Lights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA household plug-in timer is rated for a table lamp, not a bank of HID ballasts or LED drivers. When several lights strike together, the inrush current can weld the timer's contacts, leaving lights stuck on or off and throwing the photoperiod out – one of the quickest ways to stress plants and stall flowering. A contactor puts that load on a switch built for it, keeps every light in step, and leaves the timer with nothing more to do than tell the contactor when to close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount it\u003c\/strong\u003e on a wall or tent pole using the bracket, off the floor and well away from water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet the timer\u003c\/strong\u003e by pushing in the segments for the hours you want the lights on, then turn the dial to the current time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlug in each light\u003c\/strong\u003e – one per switched socket – and keep the combined draw within the \u003cstrong\u003e26A\u003c\/strong\u003e rating; the current is printed on every ballast and driver label\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlug the heater\u003c\/strong\u003e into the heater socket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlug the two supply leads\u003c\/strong\u003e into separate wall sockets – not into an extension lead – then switch on the sockets you are using\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-specs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maxibright\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sentinel 8 Way Control Switch with heater socket (CS8)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight sockets:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 x UK 3-pin, individually switched with illuminated switches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtra outlet:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x heater socket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContactor:\u003c\/strong\u003e GE\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grässlin mechanical segment timer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRating:\u003c\/strong\u003e 26A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Powder-coated metal with hanging bracket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wall or grow tent pole\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e United Kingdom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\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;\"\u003eHow many lights can I run from it?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eEight – one per switched socket – as long as the total current stays within the unit's 26A rating. Add up the amps printed on each ballast or LED driver before you plug them in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\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;\"\u003eDoes it work with LED grow lights?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eYes. LED drivers draw an inrush current at switch-on just as HID ballasts do, so a contactor is the right way to switch several of them together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\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;\"\u003eCan it go inside a grow tent?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eThe bracket hangs on a wall or a tent pole. Keep it above floor level and away from reservoirs, spray and humidifier mist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorks Well With\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-related\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin:12px 0 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/maxibright-varidrive-600w-dimmable-ballast\" 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\/maxibright-varidrive-600w-dimmable-ballast-1.jpg?v=1790169765\u0026amp;width=160\" alt=\"Maxibright Varidrive 600W Dimmable Ballast\" 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;\"\u003eMaxibright Varidrive 600W Dimmable Ballast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#008d37;\"\u003e600W ballast to run from each socket\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Maxibright","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53930852811018,"sku":"LGT-MAX2-044-01","price":54.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/maxibright-sentinel-8-way-control-switch-default-title-1.jpg?v=1792275646","url":"https:\/\/hydrocropshop.co.uk\/products\/maxibright-sentinel-8-way-control-switch","provider":"Hydro Crop Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}