4 Outlet Light Timer?

[JasonF]

I will be picking up a 4x96 PC retro shortly, that has independant control of all four lights. What I realy need is a timer that will let me use two photo periods for a pair of lights. It's going to need four outlets (or two and buy two of them) and two timers. Anyone know of such an item?

[Sniper308]

I have a GE powerstrip that has a timer built in which controls 4 timed outlets and it also has 4 permenant powered outlets for a total of 8 all together. Of course you could not do a dual time thing on this one unless you bought 2 of them. If you already have timers which control only one outlet just buy a 3 way plug that lets you add more cords to a single outlet.

[Sniper308]

Here is a pic.

[DJU]

Hey Sniper,

I've got a couple of questions about your timer. Does it let you turn on/off each of the four outlets independently or is it all or nothing on the four outlets? Where the heck did you get it!?

Thanks in advance,

DJU

[JasonF]

I too would love to know where you got that. The problem I have run into is all the timers have a warning not to plug them into a power strip and not to plug power strips into them. I live in an apartment, so outlets not what I would call, abundant. Two of that timer you mentioned would take care of the whole tank.

[absolutc]

JasonF:

HEAR ME NOW!!.. you do not want that powerstrip w/built in timer. I have two of them that I am throwing away. They are 2 months old and began having several problems. The timed outlets would not come on anymore due to the trigger that trips them to turn on/off keeps jamming and will either not move at all or will not make full contact. Your best bet is to spend a little extra money and get a digital timer. Does what you want and has up to 7 days programmable on it. Never have to mess with it. IceCap ones are especially the BESTEST ones :) I run 2 of them. JMO

[Sniper308]

I have been using this timer for over a year and have never had any of the problems that absolutc mentions. I am very pleased with the timer and If something were to happen to this one I would probably buy another just like it. I purchased this at Lowes I believe(maybe home depot) and I believe it cost about $9.

Hey DJU,
As far as the outlets go, The timer either turns all four outlets on at the same time or turns all four outlets off at the same time. There is no way to turn a single outlet on at a different time as there is only one timer. The timer however is able to be set to turn the outlets on or off as many times a day as you would like in 15min. incraments. You could have 24 on cycles and 24 off cycles a day if that is what you wanted. I guess it could be used with another timer of same design to make a very basic wavemaker with 15min intervals. There is also a switch on the side so that the timed outlets can be turned on at any time whether it is time or not. Also as mentioned before, there are four outlets with constant power also.

[ReefMole]

The best deal I've found on timers is at Costco (if you're a member and/or have one in your area). They have "Intermatic" brand digital timers in a pack with a light sensor timer. The digital timer accepts a three pronged plug, has a digital display and backup battery, and you can program up to 14 different on/off times. I use one for my PC lights and another with a MaxiJet for a poor man's wavemaker. The light sensor timers are just a bonus...maybe I'll use them for my Christmas lights or something.
The price is $16.99...much better than HomeDepot's price for the crappy mechanical Intermatic appliance timer that they want $39 for. $34 is a pretty good deal for 2 digital timers and 2 optical timers IMO, and they work like a charm!

[Aquariust]

PA sells a digital timer power strip, alittle expensive, but could work for your application.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/thestore/prods/GRASSLIN.html

Here's another:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/bronners/powstripwitt.html

[Don Davis]

Hey Jason, I use the x-10 modules and like them a lot. You can have each light on an individual schedule. You can also turn them on or off easily with a remote control whenever you want without interfering with the schedule. I have used timers in the past and they were bulky and a pain to get to. Now I just grab the remote and turn them on or off. x-10 modules work good for pumps too. You can just turn off the module instead of unplugging the pump when performing any maintenance.

Don