Good timer? +rep

[NYCrez]

I've had two timers poop out on me so far, they were both in like the $10 range, from the local hardware store. I'm starting to get annoyed. It may be due to the fact I'm using CFL, which is a no no, but supposedly it's only supposed to affect the life of the bulb. What's a reliable timer? Any advice please post. Thanks.

 

[Vento]

I've had two timers poop out on me so far, they were both in like the $10 range, from the local hardware store. I'm starting to get annoyed. It may be due to the fact I'm using CFL, which is a no no, but supposedly it's only supposed to affect the life of the bulb. What's a reliable timer? Any advice please post. Thanks.

Hey NYC

Timers seem to be an issue for a lot of people , BreakdowNs and burn outs on cheap timers is the cause of maJor probs for new and old growers alike .

Common sence seens to tell me that it's better to go with timers that have no moving parts that can fail and that have good contactors ... So Digital may be a way to go .

I'm at the start of my first grow ( veg stage ) and while building my room i decided i wanted a new Power supply outlet breaker box ... but funds just not allowing i had to settle for extention cords and such for now .. and im told that can be a cause of a lot of timer issues .

My plan is to get a devoted breaker unit in my room and then hook up a Digital Central heating Programmer timer directly to it ... Like this one ..

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Timers_Index/Central_Heating_Programmers/index.html

In my opinion this will be far more robust and fixed so it will not be moved around or dropped .

If cash is an issue .... i still think that a plug in digital may be far less likley to mess up .... They seem expencive ...but i waigh that against time lost if my lights was to stay stuck on for 24/7 when its supposed to be 12 /12

So to sum up ..... Dedicated central heating Programer timer If you have the cash ... If not a digi

Good Luck ... Hope this helps a little

V

 

[trichlone fiend]

...get digital timers, the more amps they have the better. Most digital timers also have a battery powered clock just incase you have a power shutdown, it will keep accurate time. They are all around better and accurate. Good luck.

 

[smoke and coke]

i have a couple of cheap timers that i use on my cfl's for veg and never had a problem as long as you dont exceed the maximum amp rating of the timer. for my HID lighting i use the intermatic timers that are used on pool pumps. they are pricey but will last a long time and have a high amp rating. and if you get the double pole single throw timers you can use them on 220 volt or use 2-115 volt circuits and split up the load if using multiple 115volt MH or HPS lights.

 

[lulutheblack]

someone please link a good digital timer that you have used

 

[NYCrez]

smoke and coke, since you mentioned Intermatic, i'll bring this up: my friend gave me this timer: http://www.intermatic.com/products/timers/consumer%20outdoor%20timers/electromechanical%20timers/hb51rc.aspx

How can I set it for 12/12? It doesn't appear to have any light sensors or anything like that....?

everyone else, thanks for the digital advice, ill pick one up if cant figure out the intermatic

 

[trichlone fiend]

Here's a link to the timers I use, they kick ass dude! http://www.wormsway.com/detail.aspx?sku=SSDDT100&AC=1

 

[lulutheblack]

Here's a link to the timers I use, they kick ass dude! http://www.wormsway.com/detail.aspx?sku=SSDDT100&AC=1

thanks man! +rep to you

 

[smoke and coke]

hi i dont use the one you show but in that link is the t103 timer. that is what i use for my pool and another for the grow op.

http://www.intermatic.com/products/timers/mechanical%20time%20switches/24%20hour%20dial.aspx

 

[darkdestruction420]

I've never had a problem with my 6 dollar timer from walgreens for my veg area, ive had it 2 1/2 years now and it controls about 400w of cfls and has never failed yet. For cfls you shouldnt need a more expensive timer. I'll tell you what brand and model it is when my lights flip on later if you want.

 

[NYCrez]

yeah man anything helps, thanks

 

[darkdestruction420]

I looked man, and the damn thing dont say on it, it says made in china, 24-hour timer
125vac 15a resistive
125vac 1250w tungsten.
Sorry man.

 

[NYCrez]

haha i guess you'd be surprised at some of the things the chinese make

 

[Luger187]

I looked man, and the damn thing dont say on it, it says made in china, 24-hour timer
125vac 15a resistive
125vac 1250w tungsten.
Sorry man.

yet another good quality chinese product....

 

[sixstring2112]

Home depot has a digital timer that i use . It handles my whole op 220 and 110 together. it is just under 50.00 and i run everything on it 15,000 btu ac, 2500 watts of lights, 3 fans, a large air pump, co2, this thing rocks. it does take someone that knows electrical to wire it and it will shut down everything if there is a power surge or low voltage. I dont know the name, but when i got it i just asked the guy there for the best timer they sell.

 

[mr. green thumb 01]

I got a analog timer from homedepo. I couldn't find a heavy duty digital timer and had to settle for the analog. It seems to be working fine. Whats the problem with analog timers?

 

[NYCrez]

Mechanical moving parts are less reliable than all-digital. But I heard digital should not be used with CFL's

 

[Vento]

Mechanical moving parts are less reliable than all-digital. But I heard digital should not be used with CFL's

Hi NYC

Can i ask where you herd that ... or can you give a bit more info on that ?

The reason i ask is this , I switched my light cycle ( Useing CLF ) from 24/0 to 18/6 the other day , And i noticed that my light seemed to be a bit more dim that usual ..... and it made me wonder if the timer was some how effecting it , My timer is a segmetn timer not a digi ... But still would like to know about this a bit more

Thanks

 

[mike.o420]

i got this digital timer from home depot for 20 bucks, and it has 4 outlets that operate on the timer and 4 other outlets that are on 24 hours a day. im running 2 600w lights and 2 fans on the timer side and a 6" inline fan/carbon filter on the 24 hour side and i havent had a single problem with it yet. its rated for 15A and 1875W so it can handle more power then most timers.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhi/R-100685866/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[kronicsmurf]

i have a simple brinks timer from walmart. works great but i'm using cfl's it wouldn't work for those more powerful lights.