Have a client who wants to run 2 sets of outdoor lights (one low
voltage, the other line voltage) from a single timer. Rather than just
getting the ordinary mechanical timer, I thought it might be nice to get
a simple, reliable electronic timer instead. The advantage would be not
having the timer knocked out of time in case of a power outage (this
assumes the timer has battery backup).

I found some timers on Intermatic's site that look like they'd work
(http://www.intermatic.com/?action=subcat&sid=80), but they look like
overkill for my application (both because of features I don't need and
also because they look difficult to program for my older clients). Does
anyone know of any other electronic timers available?


--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

On Sep 28, 4:57*pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
Have a client who wants to run 2 sets of outdoor lights (one low
voltage, the other line voltage) from a single timer. Rather than just
getting the ordinary mechanical timer, I thought it might be nice to get
a simple, reliable electronic timer instead. The advantage would be not
having the timer knocked out of time in case of a power outage (this
assumes the timer has battery backup).

I found some timers on Intermatic's site that look like they'd work
(http://www.intermatic.com/?action=subcat&sid=80), but they look like
overkill for my application (both because of features I don't need and
also because they look difficult to program for my older clients). Does
anyone know of any other electronic timers available?

--
* Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

My experience has been that electronic timers, though cool & feature
rich, tend to be a pain to program & maintain unless the user has
decent skill level.

Like my mom's sprinkler timer......she's never going to learn how to
operate or reprogram it.......so I switched it out to be identical to
mine (no separate learning curve)

In your application, I would suggest a T101 or T103 (if
needed).....switch the high V to the low V transformer & switch the
high V directly.
Not a good idea to mix high V & low V in the same timer, so best to
switch the high V to the transformer.



My super cool Aube Solar Timer Switch, which automatically knows the
length of the solar day, turned on & off my porch light as programed
relative to dusk & dawn. Worked flawlessly for 9 months but now is
not working......so instead of just opening the box & resetting the
clock, I've got to get out the manual, relearn the programing &
trouble shoot the unit.

Way more than an older user can do.....unless you can charge for maint
visits.....I'd go mechanical.

In your app, an accessibly mounted T101 (or 103) can be easily reset
by pulling out the clock wheel & rotating to the correct time.
Can't get much simpler than that.


cheers
Bob

On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:57:51 -0700, David Nebenzahl
wrote:

Have a client who wants to run 2 sets of outdoor lights (one low
voltage, the other line voltage) from a single timer. Rather than just
getting the ordinary mechanical timer, I thought it might be nice to get
a simple, reliable electronic timer instead. The advantage would be not
having the timer knocked out of time in case of a power outage (this
assumes the timer has battery backup).

I found some timers on Intermatic's site that look like they'd work
(http://www.intermatic.com/?action=subcat&sid=80), but they look like
overkill for my application (both because of features I don't need and
also because they look difficult to program for my older clients). Does
anyone know of any other electronic timers available?

The timer I use to control my holiday lights is an Intermatic TB121CL
(see
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...CL&lpage=none).
It's digital, but has relatively simple controls (2 on/off times, but
no additional features).
--
87 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."