outdoor lighting photocell with timer

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Generally there are 4 sides to every structure. Different circuits going different directions. At the very least 2 circuits on different legs. This particular one has 4 circuits, actually 5 if I include the one coming from the sub panel. Normally, 1 photocell per circuit.
 
If I am to assume existing it was done that way because it made sense given the original requirements- on at dusk and off at daybreak. But now you are adding the "off at 3AM" override requirement. I get your thinking- just stick a bunch of time clocks in the hots for each circuit where they come from the panel and call it a day but that's something a handy man would do.

One photocontrol, one time clock (or just an astronomic time clock) and a lighting contactor or contactors with as many poles as you need to switch your lighting circuits. And if this is a new installation there would be no excuse.

-Hal
 
Controls are time consuming to setup. Even though the Home Depot timer is cheap, I still wouldn't carry current in the internal relay with anything for non-residential use. With the right setup, it can be made industrial duty.

Check out the Eaton BA breaker or equivalent needed for your particular panel. You need one per circuit. Current carrying circuit don't get rewired. Every reconfiguration gets done on the 24v side.

The control input needs 3 or 4 conductor CL2 and a basic HVAC 24v transformer. Energize one leg for on, another for off. So you just juggle the 24v with a simple SPDT relay powered from the wall switch. You only need one timer unless you have to have different parts of the lot on different schedule.
 
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I never realized these astronomic time clocks are so versatile. I find it amazing they are preprogrammed with tables to calculate dusk. If it can eliminate the photocell, I'll certainly give it a try.
 
One of our forum members produces a product that replaces the standard twist lock photocell for street lights with a unit that discovers where it is using GPS and then calculates the turn on times from that information. No programming required.
 
I'm testing an Intermatic ST01. The biggest problem is the programming instructions are terrible. So much information is left out of the instructions, I'm watching a you tube video. I still can find the setting to turn on the random feature. We'll see how it goes... If they had a flow chart of the program, it would probably be a 5 star product.
 
spark master said:
I'm testing an Intermatic ST01. The biggest problem is the programming instructions are terrible. So much information is left out of the instructions, I'm watching a you tube video. I still can find the setting to turn on the random feature. We'll see how it goes... If they had a flow chart of the program, it would probably be a 5 star product.
Click to expand...

I've used the Honeywell products for residential applications. You can pretty much program them with your eyes shut. But they need a neutral and they can only cycle on/off once a day.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AP92N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
spark master said:
I'm testing an Intermatic ST01. The biggest problem is the programming instructions are terrible. So much information is left out of the instructions, I'm watching a you tube video. I still can find the setting to turn on the random feature. We'll see how it goes... If they had a flow chart of the program, it would probably be a 5 star product.
Click to expand...

what a crappy manual on their site. Try this one.
http://www.mysoncomfort.com/static_files/int/media/downloads/ST01C Instructions.pdf

I think it's nearly the same computer(firmware) as the Home Depot one.
 
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