timers for lights

[dbosman@msu.edu]

Keep in mind that timers and extension cords of many types will be on sale everywhere December 26th.

I prefer the mechanical timers to the cheap electronic ones. Part of that may be that I've not seen many inexpensive grounded electronic timers.

[Crob5965]

Originally Posted by m00se

These are the POS I'm talking about:




Worthless

lol yeah these suck but the analog ones for about $6 work fine

[m00se]

Originally Posted by dbosman@msu.edu

Keep in mind that timers and extension cords of many types will be on sale everywhere December 26th.

I prefer the mechanical timers to the cheap electronic ones. Part of that may be that I've not seen many inexpensive grounded electronic timers.

Good tip! Thanks

[AnotherHobby]

I have a cheap Woods digital one, it's $13 from home depot.

It has a battery in it, so it's not affected by power, and you can program it comfortably in your hand (unplugged) before you plug it in. It runs 20 different programs and is quite flexible. I've only had it for about 2 weeks, so I can't speak to long term use or reliability.

They also have a 3 prong grounded one at home depot for $20.

[driftwoodhunter]

oh, I wasn't even considering the digital ones, I've read so many complaints about them here on TPT.
One good thing about working at Walmart - I can return anything I don't like any day of the week without going out of my way - lol (so sad)

[tbonedeluxe]

I have been using two of these timers on
my tank lights for three years with out any issues.You just set them up to turn on and off at your specified times.One timer will run two lights at a time.Nice price too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/lamp-an...mer-40148.html
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...0999/40148.pdf

[parker679]

Originally Posted by tbonedeluxe

I have been using two of these timers on
my tank lights for three years with out any issues.You just set them up to turn on and off at your specified times.One timer will run two lights at a time.Nice price too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/lamp-an...mer-40148.html
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...0999/40148.pdf

This is what I use and have never had a problem. Use a 20% off coupon and it's even cheaper.

[sowNreap]

+1 and +1 for the Harbor Freight timers & using the 20% off coupon for even cheaper price. They're a little harder to push/pull the timer "pins" because they're so narrow but having 2 grounded (3 prong) plugs per timer they do the job at a price I can live with.

Been using 1 for about 7 months now with no problems. Keeps good time and works as it should.

[talontsiawd]

I have yet to have an issue with mechanical timers. I don't really like the ones with a "pin setup", they usually have a green and red insert that trips a switch. If you don't push the pin down enough, it will not trip the switch. Easy to figure out though. I like the ones that have "blocks" you push down.

I have been swapping my mechanical timers out for digital ones. I have had some issues with a few but most are reliable and have battery back up. My one and only reason for this is some mechanical timers can be just loud enough to irritate me. Especially since I have had a tank in the bedroom for a few years. I sleep incredibly light so it went digital, and after that, I started noticing the noise on other tanks, even though it's in the stand.

Also, are aquarium timers the same as what you find elsewhere...yes. You will often find the exact same timers elsewhere, they just re brand them. No problem with that if they cost the same, they are often a few dollars more.

[chad320]

Now is a good time of the year to get the mechanical ones at Walmart. They are in the Xmas light section and are cheaper than usual this time of year. I have used the cheap ones for years w/o too many problems unless I stepped on them

[m00se]

Yea I'm ready to bundle up these 3 and head back to Walmart with them. "Do you have your receipt, sir?"

[freph]

Originally Posted by rcx_sk

I use the digital timer power strips that you can buy from Home Depot - http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1#.UMSCovWPV8E

amazon also sells it for alittle cheaper - http://www.amazon.com/Globe-Electric...er+Strip+Timer

I use one of these for my Mini M. I have yet to have any issues with it so far. Coupled with these lovely little creatures, even transformers aren't an issue.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o09_s00_i00

[MlDukes]

I have 4-5 diff brinks timers. All work and have worked great for years! I recommend spending a little more for a digital timer. The internal memory saves the time during power outages, so no resetting. For me they have been plug and play. Very simple and reliable.

[sowNreap]

I see no problem with mechanical timers when the power goes off to warrant the extra money for digital. All I have to do is spin the dial around to correct time .. takes a few seconds. The "pins" or "blocks" stay in the same "timer" positions .. if they didn't then it would be more of a problem. I spend way more time resetting all the digital clocks in the house .. like the microwaves, stove, etc.

I guess if the power went off in the middle of the night then the lights wouldn't come on at the correct time but I figure a few hours shouldn't hurt anything.

[DogFish]

Cindy - I'm using Titan Controls Timers http://www.titancontrols.net/product.../apollo-7.aspx

I like these as you can run unto 8 on-off cycles per 24hrs

On my aquaponic system. They handle pumps & lights. This model was $15 at my Local Hydroponic shop.