Lights and Ballast help needed

redvicki · 07/27/2008, 01:59 PM

I want to put my lights on a timer. I have the Coralife Aqua Pro. The timer I have is the Coralife Aqualight Power center. I can't figure this thing out. It keeps turning so after I set the time of day and move on to set the timer for the lights my time of day moves. I think I am suppose to do something to the little pieces on the outside to the dial but I'm not sure what. I don't want to break it. Can someone please help? Thanks.

Also what is the correct way to turn on my MH? Switch then ballast, ballast then switch? Does one ballast need to be switched on first or does it make any difference?

Playa-1 · 07/27/2008, 02:17 PM

Coralife Power Center
Instructions:
Push up timer-tabs (located at the edges of the timer-dial) toward the center of the dial to turn yellow outlets on and blue outlets off. Push the timer-tabs down to turn blue outlets on and yellow outlets off. Each timer-tab represents a 15-minute interval. The white outlets provide constant power controlled by the on/off switch. The on/off switch controls power to all outlets and the timer.

Setting the timer:

Turn the manual control switch to the timer-on position.
Set the current time of day by turning the timer-dial clockwise until the correct time faces the arrowhead.
Set the times that you want the yellow and blue outlets to turn on and off by using the timer-tabs.
Manual control:
Bypass the timer by using the manual control switch. To activate the yellow outlets continuously, turn the switch to the yellow-on position. To activate the blue outlets continuously, turn the switch to the blue-on position.

Day-night timer instructions:

Turn the manual control switch to the timer-on position. Set the timer to the current time of day.
Pick the time of day you want the daytime lights turned on and push timer-tabs up to turn on yellow outlets for daytime applications.
Continue pushing the timer-tabs up until you reach the time of day that you want the daytime lights turned off.
When the daytime timer is set, the nighttime timer is automatically set by leaving the remaining timer-tabs down to turn on the blue outlet.
Warning:
Designed for indoor use only. This device should not be installed in wet or damp areas. If installed in a wet or damp area, this device must be plugged into a receptacle controlled by a GFI (ground fault interrupter) circuit breaker. Device must be properly connected to a grounded three-prong receptacle.

Time Setting Instruction for the Dual Power Center

Alternating Timer Instructions:

Turn the manual control switch to the timer "ON" position. Set the timer to the current time of day.
To set the time for when the Actinic Blue outlets (actinic cycle) will turn on, the timer tabs must be in the down position at the desired starting time.
Continue around the timer dial in the sequential order (verifying that all the tabs in the actinic cycle are in the down position) until reaching the end of the cycle where the Actinic Blue outlets will be turned off.
Push up the timer tabs at the end of the desired actinic cycle to turn on the Lunar Light outlets.
Continue pushing the tabs up until reaching the starting time of the actinic cycle.
Note: Actinic Blue and Lunar Light outlets alternate power. Both outlets cannot be on at the same time (i.e. when Lunar Light outlets are on, the Actinic Blue outlets are off).

Day-shift Timer Instructions

Turn the manual control switch to the timer "ON" position. Set the timer to the current time of day.
To set the timer for when the 10000K Daylight outlets day-shift cycle) will turn on, the timer tabs must be in the down position at the desired starting time.
Continue around the timer dial in the sequential order (verifying that all the tabs in the day-shift cycle are in the down position) until reaching the end of the cycle where the 10000K Daylight outlets will be turned off.
Push up the timer tabs at the end of the desired day-shift cycle to turn off the 10000K Daylight outlets.
Continue pushing the tabs up until reaching the starting time of the day-shift cycle.
Note: Each timer tab represents a 15-minute interval.

Wave-Maker Timer Instructions

Turn the manual control switch on the Alternating Timer to the timer "ON" position.
Push up every other timer tab to the "UP" position to alternate power between the Actinic Blue outlets and the Lunar Light outlets.
Continue around the timer dial until all the timer tabs are interchanged consecutively (1 Up + 1 Down).
Wave-Maker Installation

Place up to 4 water pumps in desired locations in the aquarium to create multiple currents.
Plug two water pumps into Actinic Blue (blue) outlets and two water pumps into the Lunar Light (black) outlets.
Plug Power Center into a grounded three-prong receptacle controlled by a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuit breaker.
Turn on the Power Center On/Off switch (red light is visible when power is ON).
Digital Power Center Instructions
Safety Feature: Slide out Safety Cover before using unit.

Battery Installation

Remove Battery Cover from back of timer.
Remove Battery Seal and reinstall battery ("AG13" Mercury Battery).
Replace Battery Cover onto the Power Center. Note: Battery will activate Display screen and start clock automatically.
Plug Power Center into a grounded three-pronged receptacle controlled by a GFCI.
Turn on Power Center ON/OFF switch (red light is visible when power in on). Note: Battery serves as a backup power for timer setting, Replace battery every 9 months.
Timer Setting for the Digital Power Center

Setting Day and Time

Hold down the "CLK" (clock) button and press:
DAY button to set the day of the week.
HOUR and MIN buttons to set the current time of day.
Setting Timers
Time Cycle ON/OFF
Note: Yellow (daytime) and Blue (nighttime) outlets alternate power. Both outlets cannot be ON at the same time. When Yellow (daytime) outlets are ON, the Blue (nighttime) outlets are OFF. The Blue (nighttime) outlets are switched ON automatically.

Timer Setting

Press PRG button once. Yellow (daytime) outlets are ON.
Press DAY button repeatedly and select desired day(s) the Yellow (daytime) outlets will be turned ON. For example:
Every Day: MO TU WE TH FR SA SU
Single Day: WE
Weekdays: MO TU WE TH FR
Weekends: SA SU
Press HOUR and MIN buttons to set the time of day that t he Yellow (daytime) outlets are turned ON.
Press PRG button once. Yellow (daytime) outlets OFF.
Press DAY Button repeatedly and select desired day(s) that the Yellow (daytime) outlets will turn OFF.
Press HOUR and MIN buttons to set the time of day that the Yellow (daytime) outlets will turn OFF.
To set time cycle, repeat timer setting (Steps 1-6).
When timer settings are complete, press CLK button to exit timer setting program and return to clock display.
Review/Edit Timer Settings

Press the PRG button to check and display timer settings.
To change a Time Cycle Setting, press PRG button to display the incorrect time and press DAY, HOUR, and MIN to edit.
When settings are complete, press CLK button to exit timer setting program and return to clock display.
Deleting Timer Setting

Press the PRG Button to Check and display timer settings.
Locate the time cycle to be deleted.
Hold MODE button down and press PRG button to clear the time cycle.
Activating Time Cycle
Mode Button Functions

Press the MODE button to display:
OFF: Yellow (daytime) outlets OFF
Blue (nighttime) outlets ON
ON: Yellow (daytime) outlets ON
Blue (nighttime) outlets OFF
AUTO: Programmed Time cycle(s) timer settings activated.
RDM: Activate Â± 15 minutes before and after Time Cycle 1 and Time Cycle 2.
Digital Power Center Installation

Once time cycle(s) are set, mount a light fixture onto the aquarium.
Plug Fixture cord into the Digital Power Center.
Plug Digital Power Center into a grounded three-prong receptacle controlled by a GFCI.
Turn on the Digital Power Center ON/OFF switch (red light is visible when power is on).
Typical Timer Setup

Reef Aquariums
Time Cycle 1 Mon-Sun
Daytime Cycle 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Nighttime Cycle 8:00 pm - 8:00 am

redvicki · 07/27/2008, 04:29 PM

Thanks again Playa. I just didn't want to force the tabs down and break something. So this way my tank will never be dark. Is this right? MH for 8 hours, actinics for 12, and lunars for 12.

redvicki · 07/27/2008, 04:30 PM

Oh one more question for now....do I leave my ballasts switched in the on position? I would think so but want to make sure.

Playa-1 · 07/27/2008, 08:33 PM

I just didn't want to force the tabs down and break something. So this way my tank will never be dark. Is this right? MH for 8 hours, actinics for 12, and lunars for 12.
That all depends on how you set it up. But That sounds about right. I would assume your having the actinics kick on 2hrs before and off 2hrs after the MH. Then the lunars run the rest of the time.

Oh one more question for now....do I leave my ballasts switched in the on position? I would think so but want to make sure.
I'm not familiar with that light. I would assume that both switches would stay on all the time and you have one plug going to the timer that will control the power to the light. I don't think your going to hurt anything to play around with it and see how it works. I'm sure that if either of those switches are turned off then it will break the circuit and the light will not work. As far as which one to turn on first, I doubt very seriously if that matters.

How many switches are on the light itself?

07/27/2008, 01:59 PM	#1
redvicki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	Lights and Ballast help needed I want to put my lights on a timer. I have the Coralife Aqua Pro. The timer I have is the Coralife Aqualight Power center. I can't figure this thing out. It keeps turning so after I set the time of day and move on to set the timer for the lights my time of day moves. I think I am suppose to do something to the little pieces on the outside to the dial but I'm not sure what. I don't want to break it. Can someone please help? Thanks. Also what is the correct way to turn on my MH? Switch then ballast, ballast then switch? Does one ballast need to be switched on first or does it make any difference?

07/27/2008, 02:17 PM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Coralife Power Center Instructions: Push up timer-tabs (located at the edges of the timer-dial) toward the center of the dial to turn yellow outlets on and blue outlets off. Push the timer-tabs down to turn blue outlets on and yellow outlets off. Each timer-tab represents a 15-minute interval. The white outlets provide constant power controlled by the on/off switch. The on/off switch controls power to all outlets and the timer. Setting the timer: Turn the manual control switch to the timer-on position. Set the current time of day by turning the timer-dial clockwise until the correct time faces the arrowhead. Set the times that you want the yellow and blue outlets to turn on and off by using the timer-tabs. Manual control: Bypass the timer by using the manual control switch. To activate the yellow outlets continuously, turn the switch to the yellow-on position. To activate the blue outlets continuously, turn the switch to the blue-on position. Day-night timer instructions: Turn the manual control switch to the timer-on position. Set the timer to the current time of day. Pick the time of day you want the daytime lights turned on and push timer-tabs up to turn on yellow outlets for daytime applications. Continue pushing the timer-tabs up until you reach the time of day that you want the daytime lights turned off. When the daytime timer is set, the nighttime timer is automatically set by leaving the remaining timer-tabs down to turn on the blue outlet. Warning: Designed for indoor use only. This device should not be installed in wet or damp areas. If installed in a wet or damp area, this device must be plugged into a receptacle controlled by a GFI (ground fault interrupter) circuit breaker. Device must be properly connected to a grounded three-prong receptacle. Time Setting Instruction for the Dual Power Center Alternating Timer Instructions: Turn the manual control switch to the timer "ON" position. Set the timer to the current time of day. To set the time for when the Actinic Blue outlets (actinic cycle) will turn on, the timer tabs must be in the down position at the desired starting time. Continue around the timer dial in the sequential order (verifying that all the tabs in the actinic cycle are in the down position) until reaching the end of the cycle where the Actinic Blue outlets will be turned off. Push up the timer tabs at the end of the desired actinic cycle to turn on the Lunar Light outlets. Continue pushing the tabs up until reaching the starting time of the actinic cycle. Note: Actinic Blue and Lunar Light outlets alternate power. Both outlets cannot be on at the same time (i.e. when Lunar Light outlets are on, the Actinic Blue outlets are off). Day-shift Timer Instructions Turn the manual control switch to the timer "ON" position. Set the timer to the current time of day. To set the timer for when the 10000K Daylight outlets day-shift cycle) will turn on, the timer tabs must be in the down position at the desired starting time. Continue around the timer dial in the sequential order (verifying that all the tabs in the day-shift cycle are in the down position) until reaching the end of the cycle where the 10000K Daylight outlets will be turned off. Push up the timer tabs at the end of the desired day-shift cycle to turn off the 10000K Daylight outlets. Continue pushing the tabs up until reaching the starting time of the day-shift cycle. Note: Each timer tab represents a 15-minute interval. Wave-Maker Timer Instructions Turn the manual control switch on the Alternating Timer to the timer "ON" position. Push up every other timer tab to the "UP" position to alternate power between the Actinic Blue outlets and the Lunar Light outlets. Continue around the timer dial until all the timer tabs are interchanged consecutively (1 Up + 1 Down). Wave-Maker Installation Place up to 4 water pumps in desired locations in the aquarium to create multiple currents. Plug two water pumps into Actinic Blue (blue) outlets and two water pumps into the Lunar Light (black) outlets. Plug Power Center into a grounded three-prong receptacle controlled by a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuit breaker. Turn on the Power Center On/Off switch (red light is visible when power is ON). Digital Power Center Instructions Safety Feature: Slide out Safety Cover before using unit. Battery Installation Remove Battery Cover from back of timer. Remove Battery Seal and reinstall battery ("AG13" Mercury Battery). Replace Battery Cover onto the Power Center. Note: Battery will activate Display screen and start clock automatically. Plug Power Center into a grounded three-pronged receptacle controlled by a GFCI. Turn on Power Center ON/OFF switch (red light is visible when power in on). Note: Battery serves as a backup power for timer setting, Replace battery every 9 months. Timer Setting for the Digital Power Center Setting Day and Time Hold down the "CLK" (clock) button and press: DAY button to set the day of the week. HOUR and MIN buttons to set the current time of day. Setting Timers Time Cycle ON/OFF Note: Yellow (daytime) and Blue (nighttime) outlets alternate power. Both outlets cannot be ON at the same time. When Yellow (daytime) outlets are ON, the Blue (nighttime) outlets are OFF. The Blue (nighttime) outlets are switched ON automatically. Timer Setting Press PRG button once. Yellow (daytime) outlets are ON. Press DAY button repeatedly and select desired day(s) the Yellow (daytime) outlets will be turned ON. For example: Every Day: MO TU WE TH FR SA SU Single Day: WE Weekdays: MO TU WE TH FR Weekends: SA SU Press HOUR and MIN buttons to set the time of day that t he Yellow (daytime) outlets are turned ON. Press PRG button once. Yellow (daytime) outlets OFF. Press DAY Button repeatedly and select desired day(s) that the Yellow (daytime) outlets will turn OFF. Press HOUR and MIN buttons to set the time of day that the Yellow (daytime) outlets will turn OFF. To set time cycle, repeat timer setting (Steps 1-6). When timer settings are complete, press CLK button to exit timer setting program and return to clock display. Review/Edit Timer Settings Press the PRG button to check and display timer settings. To change a Time Cycle Setting, press PRG button to display the incorrect time and press DAY, HOUR, and MIN to edit. When settings are complete, press CLK button to exit timer setting program and return to clock display. Deleting Timer Setting Press the PRG Button to Check and display timer settings. Locate the time cycle to be deleted. Hold MODE button down and press PRG button to clear the time cycle. Activating Time Cycle Mode Button Functions Press the MODE button to display: OFF: Yellow (daytime) outlets OFF Blue (nighttime) outlets ON ON: Yellow (daytime) outlets ON Blue (nighttime) outlets OFF AUTO: Programmed Time cycle(s) timer settings activated. RDM: Activate Â± 15 minutes before and after Time Cycle 1 and Time Cycle 2. Digital Power Center Installation Once time cycle(s) are set, mount a light fixture onto the aquarium. Plug Fixture cord into the Digital Power Center. Plug Digital Power Center into a grounded three-prong receptacle controlled by a GFCI. Turn on the Digital Power Center ON/OFF switch (red light is visible when power is on). Typical Timer Setup Reef Aquariums Time Cycle 1 Mon-Sun Daytime Cycle 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Nighttime Cycle 8:00 pm - 8:00 am

07/27/2008, 04:29 PM	#3
redvicki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	Thanks again Playa. I just didn't want to force the tabs down and break something. So this way my tank will never be dark. Is this right? MH for 8 hours, actinics for 12, and lunars for 12.

07/27/2008, 04:30 PM	#4
redvicki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	Oh one more question for now....do I leave my ballasts switched in the on position? I would think so but want to make sure.

07/27/2008, 08:33 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I just didn't want to force the tabs down and break something. So this way my tank will never be dark. Is this right? MH for 8 hours, actinics for 12, and lunars for 12. That all depends on how you set it up. But That sounds about right. I would assume your having the actinics kick on 2hrs before and off 2hrs after the MH. Then the lunars run the rest of the time. Oh one more question for now....do I leave my ballasts switched in the on position? I would think so but want to make sure. I'm not familiar with that light. I would assume that both switches would stay on all the time and you have one plug going to the timer that will control the power to the light. I don't think your going to hurt anything to play around with it and see how it works. I'm sure that if either of those switches are turned off then it will break the circuit and the light will not work. As far as which one to turn on first, I doubt very seriously if that matters. How many switches are on the light itself?