Can You do this with X10 ??

[sMARTY]

Can you control an icecap 660 ballast with 4 96W PC bulbs using standard X10 modules?? I thought that I read at some point that the limit per Lamp device was 300Watts.

 

[Anonymous]

Don’t use lamp modules!! They are for incandescent lights only! (See instructions)
I use the appliance modules for everything including my IC660s.

 

[Sidewinder]

Tszetlea is correct, the appliance modules can handle up to 500 watts. That's what I'm isung for my 400W MH. One per bulb of course. ED

 

[Super Len]

A standard X-10 module (those designed for up to 15 amps) will power your 4 powercompacts just fine.

The reason why some X-10 modules rate their units for 300/500 watts is the way light bulbs (and any other heating element) function. Using Ohm's law of watts=ampsxvolts, a 15 amp module should be able to handle 1650 watts (assuming 110v). And it can. The problem is, when bulbs start up cold, they draw a lot more amps (some say upwards of 10 times) then a bulb running at nominal temperature. So a 300 watt bulb drawing 3 amps when warmed up might draw up to 30 amps on power-up, which the X-10 module isn't designed for.

However, it's my experience that one X-10 module will operate 4 96 Watt PC's just fine, just as it will run a single 400 watt metal halide (with capacitor). If you want to be safe (and meet UL standards), I'd use two X-10 modules: one for your daylights, and one for your actinics.

 

[sMARTY]

Thanks guys, I havent purchased yet, so I can't look at the instructions. I am still researching it. Thanks-A-Many!

 

[Super Len]

BTW, I agree with the two previous recommendations. Don't use the Lamp Module (although it will work, it's not safe). Use the appliance modules, rated for 500 watts.

 

[Macimage1]

I have a light fixture with 3 250 watt MH lights. I was planning on plugging the one cord into an X-10 appliance module, until I read this thread. Will this work??

Thanks, Joyce

 

[AuroraDave]

Can I use an x10 appliance module on a dual ballast for my 2 250watt MH bulbs?

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

The comment about incandecent lights is correct.

The problem you can get is that during the few seconds of high start-up current the contacts in the X-10 module can fuse together (like arc-welding).

It's not really that it's not safe (depending what you're turning on/off), it's that the module won't last long - or - will be converted into an "always on" module.

 

[Super Len]

Joyce & Dave,
2 250W metal halides should operate fine on a X-10 appliance module. Metal halides consumes a lot of amps when fired up. However, MH ballasts use capicators, which helps feed the amp-hungry lamp on start-up. In fact, lamps will not fire if not enough stored current is available(notice MH's requires time in between fire ups).
For Joyce, I'd control the 3 lamps with 2 modules.