Outdoor lighting timer not working....

[MagicMarker]

Ok. I've found the timer online, but it isn't tripping the lights on/ off. It's a Paragon Timer model 4000. It is attached to a switch. I can manually turn the switch on/ off and it works fine. But when I leave the switch on, the timer works, but the trips don't turn the power on /off.

I just bought this house and figuring out the quirks. Please tell me what you see and if you have any ideas.

and what the heck is that little box over/ attached to the switch box?

 

[The Cobbler]

does the manual switch in the timer work the light?
does the clock face turn when it's powered on?

That little box above is a light sensor

the lampcord wired into your boxes is scary.

 

[MagicMarker]

does the manual switch in the timer work the light?
Not sure.. I guess I haven't tried that yet.

does the clock face turn when it's powered on?
Yes, the clock turns when the light switch is off/ on.

That little box above is a light sensor.
Interesting.. why would there be a light sensor inside the garage?

the lampcord wired into your boxes is scary.
Agreed... you should see the other wires. It's pretty terrible. I'd really love to have an electrician to come in and fix a bunch of things, but I really love to get this timer working.

 

[jhelrey]

You can buy a new one at Menards. Are you on the correct day for it to turn on?

 

[The Cobbler]

Are there are supposed to be pegs on the day-of-week wheel for the on and off trips?

only to skip a day ( I think)

 

[MagicMarker]

You can buy a new one at Menards. Are you on the correct day for it to turn on?

Yes.. from what I'm able to figure out the day of the week is just to skip.

 

[alfredeneuman]

It could be a weak clock motor.

To test it, don't manually turn the switch on for about an hour past the scheduled time.

If you check, it will still be set at the scheduled time after an hour, and too weak to trip the dogs on the timer

 

[cybrdyke]

You might have a conflict with the photo sensor and the timer.
CD

 

[alfredeneuman]

If there was a conflict between the timer and photocell, you wouldn't be able to turn the lights both on and off manually.

The photocell could have nothing to do with the timer.
I still can't figure out why you'd want a photocell in the garage.

 

[cybrdyke]

If there was a conflict between the timer and photocell, you wouldn't be able to turn the lights both on and off manually.

It's possible that the switch can override the photocell. Like my post light with a photocell, no matter what time of day or night, I can control the light via switch.

The photocell could have nothing to do with the timer.
I still can't figure out why you'd want a photocell in the garage.

Agreed, that's weird. I'm gonna stay with my theory that you have 3 controls, (switch, photocell, timer) and that they aren't, or cant be, wired correctly to do what you want.
Scrap them all and put an in-wall timer in place of the switch. Or scrap the switch and the photocell and let the timer do it's job.
CD

 

[Zeke]

Open up the switch box and take a close up and pull the switches out to reveal the wiring. Power off, of course. Maybe the photo cell is switching the transformer for some reason. You know that the clip is there to block the sensor, right?

 

[alfredeneuman]

It's possible that the switch can override the photocell. Like my post light with a photocell, no matter what time of day or night, I can control the light via switch.
CD

It's very unlikely the timer is meant to override the photocell. That would be self defeating. Anything is possible though, given this setup
It's usually a switch like the two below the photocell used for overriding the photocell.

The transformer on the right of the box may very well be some sort of low voltage lighting, hence the lamp cords coming out of the bottom of the box.

 

[Mustang51js]

It's a 240 volt timer. Replace it with a 120volt timer. The clock isn't spinning with just 120v hooked to it or e motor went bad

 

[Mustang51js]

Or remove the whole timer and install a switch style in the box

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's a 240 volt timer. Replace it with a 120volt timer. The clock isn't spinning with just 120v hooked to it or e motor went bad

Look at the label again. The motor runs on 120vac.

 

[nehog]

It's a 240 volt timer. Replace it with a 120volt timer. The clock isn't spinning with just 120v hooked to it or e motor went bad

No it's not. It is 120 Volts.

 

[Mustang51js]

Try swapping black and blue wires

 

[MagicMarker]

I'll have to open up the switch and show you guys the mess the previous owner created.. It's kinda scary what people think is OK to do.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Try swapping black and blue wires

If the black & blue wires are switch the clock motor won't work at all.

See where the clock motor is tapped off from?

 

[404]

I'll have to open up the switch and show you guys the mess the previous owner created.. It's kinda scary what people think is OK to do.

People die in house fires because of jacklegs like your previous owner.

Previous owner of my house used masking tape instead of wire nuts inside boxes..

Guy nearby wired his basement outlets with lamp cord and then put up studs and paneling. Argued with me that it was just as good as using the proper wire.

That lamp cord insulation can get brittle and fall off the wire.. also screw terminals on switches are for solid wire only.

If that was my house I would look in every outlet and switch box to see what other treats were inside.

Good Luck,
Regards,
404

 

[Mustang51js]

Personally I would get an updated timeclock and replace it,they are about $50. Something must be broken off that moves the switch on and off, or someone put in wrong pins

 

[Mustang51js]

If the black & blue wires are switch the clock motor won't work at all.

See where the clock motor is tapped off from?

I misread the first time, I thought he said motor wasn't spinning and lights only worked when turning on switch

 

[MagicMarker]

People die in house fires because of jacklegs like your previous owner.

Previous owner of my house used masking tape instead of wire nuts inside boxes..

Guy nearby wired his basement outlets with lamp cord and then put up studs and paneling. Argued with me that it was just as good as using the proper wire.

That lamp cord insulation can get brittle and fall off the wire.. also screw terminals on switches are for solid wire only.

If that was my house I would look in every outlet and switch box to see what other treats were inside.

Good Luck,
Regards,
404

I think I'm just going to have an electrician come out and correct it.

Of course while messing around in the house, I found that one of the sump pumps isn't working. It makes noise when I trip the float, but no water is ejected... ugh.. home ownership.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Try the switch inside the timer, it is the silver lever just below and to the left of the dial, with the down pointing arrow stamped into it. It slides left and right to operate, the on and off trips on the dial should also make the manual switch lever move on and off.

Charles

 

[404]

I think I'm just going to have an electrician come out and correct it.

Of course while messing around in the house, I found that one of the sump pumps isn't working. It makes noise when I trip the float, but no water is ejected... ugh.. home ownership.

I hope it works out not too expensive for you.

One gets used to home ownership.. it gets fun after a while.. basement spring flooding.. winter pipes freezing... roof replacement.. It has made me into the person I am today.

 

[MagicMarker]

Try the switch inside the timer, it is the silver lever just below and to the left of the dial, with the down pointing arrow stamped into it. It slides left and right to operate, the on and off trips on the dial should also make the manual switch lever move on and off.

Charles

Tried that and nothing happened. Do I just try to replace the guts of the timer or replace the whole unit to something digital?

 

[MagicMarker]

I hope it works out not too expensive for you.

One gets used to home ownership.. it gets fun after a while.. basement spring flooding.. winter pipes freezing... roof replacement.. It has made me into the person I am today.

I have a plumber coming out next week to replace the sump.

I'm sure that I'll enjoy the house more once some of these little issues are fixed.

 

[Cmreschke]

Question about the lamp cords, are these lights your operating low voltage (12-24 volts )?

If so that wiring is pretty standard for those lights thinking landscape lighting. If this is the case maybe check that the transformer is working. Are you able to turn the lights on and off with just the switch?

 

[404]

I have a plumber coming out next week to replace the sump.

I'm sure that I'll enjoy the house more once some of these little issues are fixed.

Oh it certainly is better than renting, or being in a condo. You are master of your domain. Sorry if it sounded like I was against houses, I was serious when I said sometimes it is fun dealing with challenges.

Regards,
404