Hi,
I've had my reef angel for a while now, but I've run into a problem. I had a brief power outage the other night, less than a second, but one of the relay ports is now stuck on. It had one of my T5 ballasts attached to it.
I'm qualified to replace the relay but I want to leave the system running in the meantime. Can anyone provide a part number and/or source for a replacement?
Thanks in advance.
Relay Replacement Source?
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
was just searching the threads and found this - funny, every place I plug my T5s into it burns up a relay too eventually!!
following so I can find this again easier when I decide to fix the relays
following so I can find this again easier when I decide to fix the relays
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
is it a 12v coil?
-
Sebyte
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
Not sure what your T5 load is but you may find this interesting.
"Electronic ballasts can have inrush currents when energizing that far exceed that of magnetic ballasts, even though their load current is less. Although the duration of inrush current is very short, it can be much greater than operating or steady state current. The level of inrush current for each installation can vary significantly depending on the type and number of ballasts installed on a circuit and the circuit characteristics.
This can exceed the ability of the switch to endure the inrush current. Switches, when controlling electronic ballasts, are subject to the inrush current of the ballast upon energizing. This may damage mechanical switches and contacts. This can occur even when the load current of the ballasts connected is well within the current rating of the switches.
Other switching devices such as relays, contactors and switch rated circuit breakers can also be affected. Manually operated switches are a particular concern since the user’s hands are in contact with the device.
Excessive inrush current can cause switch contacts to wear prematurely, and in some cases arcing across the switch contacts can cause an arc plume to be emitted." February 2013 – The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
To help protect relay contacts and to extend their life a capacitor can be wired across the contacts. This is what Roberto has done on relays 5 & 6 for wave makers. The term for this is "Snubber" and can be used on any circuit that has an inductive load, such as electronic balasts. Anyone with electrical skills should be able to modify any relay in the RA relay box.
I am sure that Roberto could suggest the component values or maybe offer a retrofit service?
If you want more info on snubbers take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snubber
"Electronic ballasts can have inrush currents when energizing that far exceed that of magnetic ballasts, even though their load current is less. Although the duration of inrush current is very short, it can be much greater than operating or steady state current. The level of inrush current for each installation can vary significantly depending on the type and number of ballasts installed on a circuit and the circuit characteristics.
This can exceed the ability of the switch to endure the inrush current. Switches, when controlling electronic ballasts, are subject to the inrush current of the ballast upon energizing. This may damage mechanical switches and contacts. This can occur even when the load current of the ballasts connected is well within the current rating of the switches.
Other switching devices such as relays, contactors and switch rated circuit breakers can also be affected. Manually operated switches are a particular concern since the user’s hands are in contact with the device.
Excessive inrush current can cause switch contacts to wear prematurely, and in some cases arcing across the switch contacts can cause an arc plume to be emitted." February 2013 – The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
To help protect relay contacts and to extend their life a capacitor can be wired across the contacts. This is what Roberto has done on relays 5 & 6 for wave makers. The term for this is "Snubber" and can be used on any circuit that has an inductive load, such as electronic balasts. Anyone with electrical skills should be able to modify any relay in the RA relay box.
I am sure that Roberto could suggest the component values or maybe offer a retrofit service?
If you want more info on snubbers take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snubber
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
Is this an issue with LED drivers?
--Colin
--Colin
Relay Replacement Source?
no, i do not believe it is. led drivers do not require nearly the same amount that metal halide and other standard ballasts do.cosmith71 wrote:Is this an issue with LED drivers?
--Colin
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
one of the things i have done in the past to switch heaver loads with the RA's is to use a 40 amp SSR and a wall wart to turn it on, the SSR then switches an extention cord (pig tails) that is pluged into a wall outlet. the realt on the RA turns the SSR on and the SRR can handled the bigger load. (we did this at Diablo Corals before switching to LED's in the shop) doing this let me run 2 500 watt MHs and have them turn on at the same time.
Just another thought and a cheap way to switch bigger loads..
I have thought about changing the realys out in the RA (modified box) control box with SSR's just to quite the clicking of the relays..
Just another thought and a cheap way to switch bigger loads..
I have thought about changing the realys out in the RA (modified box) control box with SSR's just to quite the clicking of the relays..
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
So would it be wise to use relay 5&6 for my ATI fixture to prolong this from happening?
My other hobby has 450rwhp and eats tires instead of mysis!
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
Those dampening components are only meant for spike generated by pumps when the relay goes from on to off and not the other way around.
If you use a single ballast per port, you should be fine.
If you use a single ballast per port, you should be fine.
Roberto.
Re: Relay Replacement Source?
Ok so any port will be the same. Thanks
My other hobby has 450rwhp and eats tires instead of mysis!