Good Quality timers ?

[Sanjay]

Any suggestions on good quality digital timers. I am looking for some to replace the ones I currently have to control the lights. I have been using the cheapo ones in the past but they do not seem to last.

sanjay.

[spazz]

get digital ones. but dont get the intermatic ones. they burn out easy. they have some kind of motor in them. i got some from walmart that work great. ben using them for 2 yrs with no problems.

[Sanjay]

Which brand of digital ones does not have the motor in them ?

Which brand did you get.

sanjay.

[Stile2]

I would love to find a solid state timer.

Any that people know of?
Keith

[springerhd]

Depends on how many amps you want to run through them. Intermatic makes good ones rated up to 4A that do not have the motor in them and seem to work real well. Work just like the bigger ones with the motor (which are rated up to 15A) but are flush to the wall plate like a contemporary wall switch. Some people have luck with the 15A timers, others not. Kind of hit or miss. Never seen any at walmart though so I'm curious.

[Stile2]

The problem with the intermatic 4A timers is that they say Do not use with PC lighting, or other electronic ballasts.

[springerhd]

oops. Was planning to use one on my VHOs, guess not. They should still work on MH with a magnetic ballast though.

[spf9992001]

I've been looking too and found this thread right here on Reef Central

[wave_happy]

Sanjay,

I have been using the "heavy duty" digital timers for a while now with no problems. No problems with the mechanical ones either. I like the granularity of the digital units. They can be set to the minute. Other features that I find as a real plus are that they have a battery back up for memory and they have a grounded plug. The better ones cost about $20 a piece. I will post name brand information tomorrow.

[sales weasel]

I have an Intermatic model #DT17 7-day Digital Programmable Timer. It is also called a "Heavy Duty" timer on the package. I was using it on a nano cube and it didn't work well with my lighting. I think it may have been the ballast now that I have read this thread. The lights would turn off and on just as programmed. However, when the power to the lights was off, it would flash on intermittently. I almost threw it away, but now I'm going to try it on a standard incandescent lamp. I just hope I can find the programming instructions.

[wave_happy]

Same as above, DT 17 digital timer Rated at 15 amps with grounded plug.

I have been using them to control water pumps so I have no experience on their performance with lighting.

sales weasel - Some hints on programming the timer . . .

1) RESET all of the settings before you start. Use the end of a paperclip to push the reset switch.

2) Think out what settings you want to use. That way you can program the ON/OFF cycles in a logical manner. With 14 program settings, this makes it easier to make modifications in the future.

3) After that you will need the instructions

I started to write out the instructions but I am sure that they can be found somewhere online.

[wave_happy]

I just got off of the phone with a technical support person from Intermatic . I specifically asked about using the 7 Day Heavy-Duty Grounded Digital Timer DT17C with VHO and/or MH electronic ballasts. According to tech support, as long as the amperage draw of the device does not exceed the rating of the timer there should not be a problem.

Instructions for programming the timer are also available on the site.

[GreshamH]

Sanjay, look into Aube timers, they run about $30 for the cheaper model. They're much better quality then Intermatic, and can handle what we are doing.

[Sanjay]

Since I am going to be doing some rewireing for the tank, how about using these.

http://www.intermatic.com/?action=subcat&sid=154

I could use 2 of these to control 4 outlets... and mount them in the standard electrical boxes.

Anything I should watch out for ?



sanjay.

[wave_happy]

I saw those too, they look nice. The down side to them is their lack of backup memory (when power goes out the timer must be reset - not really a big deal) and the minimum control setting of 20 minutes.

Obviously, depending on how precise you need the timing to be (replicating solar/lunar cycles for instance) you may need to consider either a digital timer or a programmable controller $$$.

So far I am up to 5 timers, 4 digital. I am on the "hairy edge" of needing a controller.

[Sanjay]

I purposely would like to keep it simple. I have a PLC that I could think of using.. but then it would be difficult for someone else to work with it especially when I am away.

I found these electronic ones...that might be OK.

http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=9085


Does Aube make something similar. the only ones I seemed to find on thier website were in big grey boxes :-). Where are those $30 ones ?

sanjay.

[wave_happy]

Oooooo!! It does D.C. too!!

"Special applications
Because of it’s unique “hard contact� switch feature, your timer may be used for applications not previously possible
for electronic wall timers, such as use with dimmers, use without utility power, use on circuits other than 120 volts,
controlling relays or contactors, or to control DC voltage (for example in recreational vehicles). See instructions
above for dimmer applications. For DC and high voltage applications please note the reduced load ratings on product
label. Consult factory for application details."

[philipm]

I have gone through quite a few of the cheapo intermatic timers over the years. I switched to cheapo timex timers and didn't have a problem. Then I got an Aquacontroller and have been happy. I have been lucky with x10 thus far (knocking on wood).

[chrisguy]

I have a couple of the Intermatic SS8 Series http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=196

Seems a lot of people use these (available at Home Depot and the like).

[Sparky0028]

Sanjay

Try this link

http://www.aubetech.com/products/lis...mille=5&app=13

here is another
http://www.electricco.com/product_in...roducts_id=358

Rich

[GreshamH]

I've blown thru 8 of those SS8's. After a spell, they won't turn on, or off in some cases. IMO they're untrust worthy for keeping thousands of dollars in coral and livestock

[chrisguy]

GreshamH - So what do you use in their place an aube timer and if so which one(s)?

[robwsup]

I've used this one on 1200w of MH lighting for a couple years. I get them from Home Depot.
Intermatic 500 Watt 120 Volt AC Heavy-Duty PadDigital Timer

[Sanjay]

Originally posted by Sparky0028
Sanjay

Try this link

http://www.aubetech.com/products/lis...mille=5&app=13

here is another
http://www.electricco.com/product_in...roducts_id=358

Rich

Rich:
These looked good, but on checking the specs, they are rated for 500W max. A 400W ballast (esp an HQI) would exceed this capacity.

Has anyone used these successfully with 400W MH ballasts ?

sanjay.

[Sanjay]

OK.. I found one that is rated for 2400W, and should work with all MH lights.

http://www.electricco.com/product_in...d002648ff89698


Any negatives about this one ?

sanjay.