lighting timer switches?

[Orionrising]

looking to drop my electric bill a bit. I have a couple outdoor/ porch lights I could switch to timer circuits.

( cant use the photo sensors, because I use cfls, and photo sensors turn on and off too much at dusk killing cfls fast)

any recommendations on timers to replace the switches with?

based on the bulbs/ my electric rates, switching them to be off roughly half the time will save me roughly 13$ a bulb per year.

A quick look at HD revealed a bunch of options, mostly about $20 bucks, anyone used one before?

 

[PaulKTM350]

There are some CFL's that can take the "soft turn on" you get when using the photo cells. Or switch to LEDs that are dimmable and that will work also.

 

[umtallguy01]

I have not seen any reasonably priced outdoor rated LEDs.

Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using Tapatalk

 

[Muzzy]

There are any number of holiday light timers available through amazon.
I use GE model 15114 for Christmas lights, pond lights, grow lamps, and even my crock pot without problem.

Of course, these devices are rated for seasonal use only, and their price reflects that.

For a more robust solution, I would to go to mcmaster-carr and search for timer switches.

 

[Outlander]

I have a couple - pain in the **** sometimes as the frequent power outages wreak havoc with them. They are not young, maybe newer ones are more resilient (battery back ups etc)

 

[Texsun]

I like these, use them for bathroom exhaust fans.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-MA-T51-WH-Maestro-Countdown-Timer/dp/B001EFV1DA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469662794&sr=8-1&keywords=lutron+timers

 

[Chevy-SS]

I like these, use them for bathroom exhaust fans.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-MA-T51-WH-Maestro-Countdown-Timer/dp/B001EFV1DA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469662794&sr=8-1&keywords=lutron+timers

I gotta get some of these.

thanks

 

[AndeiH]

I have an older version of these and I have no complaints.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Astronomic-Digital-In-Wall-Timer-White-ST01K/205478792

kind of expensive but worth it to me, I don't have to worry about turning lights on and off every day.

*** $21 for this one if you have a neutral wire in your switch box

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywell-7-Day-Programmable-Timer-Switch-for-Lights-and-Motors-RPLS730B1000-U/206311889?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-205478792-_-206311889-_-N

 

[dogdog]

I have an older version of these and I have no complaints.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Astronomic-Digital-In-Wall-Timer-White-ST01K/205478792

kind of expensive but worth it to me, I don't have to worry about turning lights on and off every day.

*** $21 for this one if you have a neutral wire in your switch box

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywell-7-Day-Programmable-Timer-Switch-for-Lights-and-Motors-RPLS730B1000-U/206311889?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-205478792-_-206311889-_-N

^^^

these , I have used them and they are ok.... a little hard to program and trouble shoot but works until they have issues..... usually dying battery. I now use WEMO internet connected wifi switch that have a functional timer that I can use the smart phone to program.... I would not recommend them due to support and just plain ****** company and ****** apps and ****** security issues, but I am stuck with them till they worn out... pretty sure there are other companies out there that have these wifi enabled switches with the same functionality and better everything else. All of them would work for CFL or LED, just not dimmable. it's just a relay inside the switch.

Requires Neutral wire, no battery.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I've been using this but their 3-way version for years now to control my outdoor house lights. I never have to do anything other than reprogram it: IE, setting time/date when I flick the breaker off if I am working on things in the garage.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywel...or-Lights-and-Motors-RPLS740B1008-U/206359939

Probably overkill for your situation but I love it.

-Nigel

 

[nadogail]

I use analog clock timers to 1. Control the charging time for my son's electric car. 2. Outside lantern on a post in front of my house. 3. Enable the photo switch that controls the outside lights at a rental. That timer turns the lights off at 2:00 AM. 4. At another rental property the same the same timer has controlled the parking garage and porch lights since '80.

I like those "old school" timers, one I acquired used about 30 years ago for free isn still working fine.

 

[CJ7VFR]

looking to drop my electric bill a bit. I have a couple outdoor/ porch lights I could switch to timer circuits.

( cant use the photo sensors, because I use cfls, and photo sensors turn on and off too much at dusk killing cfls fast)

any recommendations on timers to replace the switches with?

based on the bulbs/ my electric rates, switching them to be off roughly half the time will save me roughly 13$ a bulb per year.

A quick look at HD revealed a bunch of options, mostly about $20 bucks, anyone used one before?

How long do you want to leave the lights on at night? Do you want them to come on at dusk and then stay on for a few hours and shut off? Or do you want them to come on and go off at the same times every night?

If you want to just be able to turn them on when you want to, and have them stay on for a few minutes up to a few hours, you can use something like this from Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-15-Amp-4-Hour-Countdown-In-Wall-Timer-with-Ground-Terminal-30469/206264395

I just installed this one on my attic exhaust fan. It is about 20 bucks like you said, and it works great. I installed it because my wife would constantly turn the exhaust fan on and forget to shut it off. Sometimes it would stay on all day!! This switch is sold at most local HD stores. You can choose the amount of time you want your item to remain "on" anywhere from 5 minutes up to 4 hours.

If you want a turn on at dusk, and then turn off a few hours later type thing, there are timer switches with light sensors in them that are programmable for on and off times so you can set them and pretty much forget them.

Jim

 

[Orionrising]

Definitely looking at a schedule timer type hardwire switch. Just don't want to buy one that doesn't last long enough to pay off.

Sent from my ALCATEL A564C using Tapatalk

 

[woodzy]

I have 5-6 of these in my house and I can't be any happier. They know dust / dawn times, are very adjustable and look good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AP92N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[dave*99]

I have an older version of these and I have no complaints.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Astronomic-Digital-In-Wall-Timer-White-ST01K/205478792

kind of expensive but worth it to me, I don't have to worry about turning lights on and off every day.

*** $21 for this one if you have a neutral wire in your switch box

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywell-7-Day-Programmable-Timer-Switch-for-Lights-and-Motors-RPLS730B1000-U/206311889?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-205478792-_-206311889-_-N

I have been using the intermatic in the upper link for years. It has a battery backup and has never let me down.

 

[zak77]

I like these, use them for bathroom exhaust fans.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-MA-T51-WH-Maestro-Countdown-Timer/dp/B001EFV1DA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469662794&sr=8-1&keywords=lutron+timers

I put these in my bathrooms for the vent fans and they do work as advertised there are a few quirks about them. I ordered 2 switches and one of them had the printing for the minutes shifted off from where they should be. It still works just something that should've been caught by quality control. When there's 1 minute left the switch shuts off the fan then turn is right back on as a "heads up". I dont see the point in having that at all. Due to the design on the frame for the switch, the screws for the cover plate were hitting the gang box so i had to cut the screws down. Not to mention the cover plates i got(lutrons) were smaller in size so i had to touchup some paint on the wall before installing and they only gave me 4 screws with 1 cover and 2 with the other. Small things but they made the install longer than it should've taken.

 

[dave*99]

I like these, use them for bathroom exhaust fans.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-MA-T51-WH-Maestro-Countdown-Timer/dp/B001EFV1DA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469662794&sr=8-1&keywords=lutron+timers

These are countdown timers. The OP wants a schedule (clock) timer.

 

[strutaeng]

I have been using 2 of the following for about 6 months now:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SOZHXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I had bought some GE ones from THD that drove me nuts: only options were like 6PM-6AM, and some countdown option! Useless.

One note is that these usually require a hot and neutral from the circuit. I tried to put one in my old house and it didn't work because I lacked the neutral.

If there's one thing I wish the Honeywell had is an illuminated backlight screen. It is otherwise flawless in design. Read the amazon reviews. Mine are running LEDs.

Good luck.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I have 5-6 of these in my house and I can't be any happier. They know dust / dawn times, are very adjustable and look good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AP92N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Same one I have but for a 3-way application (believe the part numbers are different but looks identical)

I've had the same one now for 4 years. Works beautiful. Love it!

No need to ever touch the front lights for the front house. They come on when the sun is going down and turn back off when the morning sun start coming up.

w00t w00t

-Nigel

 

[sberry]

I use photos on them, they do not like motions but photo and a timer and some I have timers on. I have a couple others and we figure we would save 3$ a year, not enough to pay for the materials for the time off.

 

[2Big2Ride]

Another vote for astronomic timer switches. We have three of the intermatic versions that use a small Li battery - batteries each have lasted for a few years and replacements can be found at most larger stores. Battery versions don't need the neutral that may or may not be in the switch box of some houses.