smallcrpt Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I need to control about 1000 watts of blowmolds. I've been reading up a SSR, but I can't find enough information on the right one to buy.I've read ebay has good ones, but I'm not positive which style to get.If I can't figure this out. I'm going to rig it with a timer attached to a photovoltaic timer set dusk to dawn, with a LOR channel dedicated to a light bulb in a dark room.How is that for rigging?hopefully someone can point me into the right direction, because I really don't want to do my other option...-chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khawes Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 have you checked out these:http://www.lightorama.com/DigitalIO.htmlThe DIO32 Motherboard coupled with a few "DIO8RLY 8 Channels of Relays Daughterboard"s would give you a bunch of relays at your command.-- Food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hi Chris,I use one like this for my blow molds http://www.ebay.com/itm/25A-AA-Solid-state-relay-SSR-AC-80-250V-control-24-380VAC-/320768266738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaf4751f2#ht_2203wt_905With this one, the input can be 120vac so you do not need a transformer. The load side is rated at 25 amps, you only need about 8.5 so you are fine with that. I recommend mounting it in a metal box so the box can be used as a heatsink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallcrpt Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 cool, i like the LOR product, but i think i'll try the ebay way first thanks...chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott T Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I'm going to use a HVAC contactor/relay powered by a small transformer. The power to the contactor input/output is completely independent from the transformer that energizes the contactor/relay. I use one LOR channel to turn on the contactor/relay for my static display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallcrpt Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 you have a link to one of those or atleast the specs of one? i have heard of that working the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Scott T wrote: I'm going to use a HVAC contactor/relay powered by a small transformer. The power to the contactor input/output is completely independent from the transformer that energizes the contactor/relay. I use one LOR channel to turn on the contactor/relay for my static display.Wow, I dont think you fully understand why the op is going to use a SSR to control the blower motor. Anything other than a light bulb that uses a filament or an LED is going to be inductive load. Such as the blower motor or a transformer. Triacs do not like inductive loads without the proper suppression circuits installed. As it is, the LOR AC boards where never meant to control inductive loads. So people attach a SSR to work around this issue. If I am reading your post correctly. You plan to attach a transformer to one of the outputs of the AC board. Well that just aint going to be any different than attaching a blower motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott T Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Max-Paul wrote:Scott T wrote: I'm going to use a HVAC contactor/relay powered by a small transformer. The power to the contactor input/output is completely independent from the transformer that energizes the contactor/relay. I use one LOR channel to turn on the contactor/relay for my static display.Wow, I dont think you fully understand why the op is going to use a SSR to control the blower motor. Anything other than a light bulb that uses a filament or an LED is going to be inductive load. Such as the blower motor or a transformer. Triacs do not like inductive loads without the proper suppression circuits installed. As it is, the LOR AC boards where never meant to control inductive loads. So people attach a SSR to work around this issue. If I am reading your post correctly. You plan to attach a transformer to one of the outputs of the AC board. Well that just aint going to be any different than attaching a blower motor.What I find amazing is the condescending and "know it all" attitude comments of SOME of the veteran contributors. "Wow, I dont think you fully understand"-Max-Paul. I have seen a big different this year in the spirit of helping and belittling those of us that are simply offering suggestions. There are right ways and arrogant ways to respond to other people suggestions.I not sure that if there is a divide because some have been chosen to the "inter-circle" with the beta program or if it is just the personality of a few. What ever the reason, I find more and more reasons to stop offering my experiences because there is someone else that might have a more perfect answer or solution.I will continue to provide my community the gift of my family's Christmas Light show, but may limit the time I spend here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeH Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Max-Paul wrote: Scott T wrote: I'm going to use a HVAC contactor/relay powered by a small transformer. The power to the contactor input/output is completely independent from the transformer that energizes the contactor/relay. I use one LOR channel to turn on the contactor/relay for my static display.Wow, I dont think you fully understand why the op is going to use a SSR to control the blower motor. Anything other than a light bulb that uses a filament or an LED is going to be inductive load. Such as the blower motor or a transformer. Triacs do not like inductive loads without the proper suppression circuits installed. As it is, the LOR AC boards where never meant to control inductive loads. So people attach a SSR to work around this issue. If I am reading your post correctly. You plan to attach a transformer to one of the outputs of the AC board. Well that just aint going to be any different than attaching a blower motor.I don't think the OP mentioned anything about a blower motor. I believe he said he wanted to turn on some blowmolds. Thus, turning on a light bulb (or a few) as you mention.MikeH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Max-Paul wrote: Anything other than a light bulb that uses a filament or an LED is going to be inductive load. Such as the blower motor or a transformer. Triacs do not like inductive loads without the proper suppression circuits installed. As it is, the LOR AC boards where never meant to control inductive loads. So people attach a SSR to work around this issue. If I am reading your post correctly. You plan to attach a transformer to one of the outputs of the AC board. Well that just aint going to be any different than attaching a blower motor.I'm not an expert on triacs by any means, but I can tell you that I do use a 12vdc class 3 .25amp transformer to control one of my SSRs. I used it for all of my inflatables which were either on or off for a song. Either I got real lucky or there is no problem. I’m thinking that inductive loads would be a lot more of a problem if you were trying to blink them to the music rather than a simple on / off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallcrpt Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 jeez, this turned sour... jkI'm trying to control a 13w CFL light bulb inside a hard plastic figurine. So no blowers...I'm hoping someone can just point me a little further in the right direction, i'm on the verge.but thanks so far for the info, i didn't see anything wrong with the posts.thankschris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 smallcrpt wrote:jeez, this turned sour... jkI'm trying to control a 13w CFL light bulb inside a hard plastic figurine. So no blowers...I'm hoping someone can just point me a little further in the right direction, i'm on the verge.but thanks so far for the info, i didn't see anything wrong with the posts.thankschrisThat SSR on eBay is what you want.I use 2 of them to control about 150 blow bolds with CFLs in them. The SSR will also electrical isolate the CFLs from LOR so that the electrical noise does not mess up your controller. I use one channel from lor to control the SSRs and I feed them from their own circuit breakers.note - you can not blink CFLS like you can incandescent or LEDs, they simply do not turn on and off fast enough and will burn out quickly if you try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I have quite a few Blowmolds, but I like to be able to control them with the LOR functions including fading, so I just use 40W incandescant bulbs. To me CFL's just cause to much interference with the controllers. I know you guys are talking about isolating the CFL's with an SSR, but I like it was said CFL's don't respond quick enough and they start out dimmed and build up brightness. JMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Someone on Facebook said he put sets of white LEDS in his blow molds. I do not remember who said it, but it is a brilliant solution.After Christmas I will be grabbing all of white sets I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I ran two 15 amp curcuits off ONE channel 2 years ago to flash (no dimming) a bunch of lights via a relay for under $30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Lots of things work, and sometimes even work quite well, but aren't recommended by the manufacturer. When odd things go wrong, it is really frustrating to all when people don't admit that they don't have everything as recommended by the manufacturer. They have CFL, or they have branches in their RS-485, or they have inductive loads. All these things can create possible problems for the system, and should be the first things people try removing when troubleshooting.For the transformer and contacter, there are several different ways to design a 12 volt plug in power supply, that have different implications for the hardware up stream. Just because it worked for one or more people does not make it as good a technical solution as the SSR.The specs of that SSR make it look like a good choice for the purpose, and one side of it wires right up to a channel, and the other side wires in line with the hot lead of your load circuit. Should be pretty easy. The only question is what quality is it, and does it really meet the specs. If I were doing something like that, I would probably try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Well first off to those who dont know. I am the last person that will be included in the old boys club around here. So, dont let the Beta tester fool you. Second, I'll have that crow with some gray pupon (SP?) Yes I miss read the blowmold for blow up that use a blower. Third, dont know what a class 3 transformer is, but still inductive load and even just turning it off once and the right situation will blow the Triac if not properly filtered and the LOR boards are not filtered. Would have raised the cost. And over the years many of talked about getting strange responces from the LOR boards (things turning off and on yet not programmed to do so) cause there where CFLs either part of the display or in the house. Dont kill the messenger just reporting what others have reported. If it works for you, then dismiss me as a raving idiot as so many of you do any way. As for my "Wow", well I felt that after others had explained, then a comment from who I quoted merited a "Wow". But at least I explained again why one does not want to run an inductive load. Hey like I said, your triac. You pop it, then maybe my words will help you solve the problem. And if it never pops with an inductive load was placed on it. Then you can say I am crazy.BTW how many of you who have po po me about popping the Triac, have heard of CEMF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallcrpt Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 thanks everyone, i believe i'll be going with the ebay one. i'll hopefully report back with my findings-chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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