Programmable wall switch?

[MushCreek]

Any of you guys have experience with programmable wall switches? I have a simple need- I want to control when my Christmas lights come on and off. All of the lights are on a simple dedicated switch, and the load is low because the lights are all LED. I'm just not sure which switch to get. Cheaper is better. I don't need anything Bluetooth enabled with a phone app so I can control my Christmas lights from across the world. It needs to be controlled from the wall switch because there are four different outlets involved, all running off of the one switch.

 

[LeonardY]

You need one with mechanical relay. Otherwise the lights will remain on because they will still get a low level of current.
I use an Intermatic ST01. Works perfectly.

 

[MushCreek]

Will that switch do the following- Come on at sunset, and shut off, say, 6 hours later? I don't really want it on all night. Otherwise, I'd just set it to come on at 5:30 and go off at 11:00. The sunset times don't change all that much in the one month I'll be using it. I might buy a second one to operate sunset/sunrise on my regular outdoor lights. The photosensor I have now comes on on cloudy days.

 

[aka Larry]

I don't need anything Bluetooth enabled with a phone app so I can control my Christmas lights from across the world. It needs to be controlled from the wall switch because there are four different outlets involved, all running off of the one switch.

I had a wall switch like that for my outside security lights once, but DST made using it a PITA so I ditched it.

The BT stuff is pretty cheap, and really handy. I have them plugged into six different outlets with six different schedules if I want. They are controlled via the phone app if I want, but most are just scheduled using the app. I think I bought a pack of four on Amazon for $29.

 

[LeonardY]

Will that switch do the following- Come on at sunset, and shut off, say, 6 hours later? I don't really want it on all night. Otherwise, I'd just set it to come on at 5:30 and go off at 11:00. The sunset times don't change all that much in the one month I'll be using it. I might buy a second one to operate sunset/sunrise on my regular outdoor lights. The photosensor I have now comes on on cloudy days.

I just programmed mine to come on at 4:30 and go off at 10:30. It has DST feature but I don't use it.

I have another on my Main house lights that comes on at Dusk and then I programed it to shut off at 11.
That one will also do random. You set it at a certain times and then it goes on/off within a window of time. For that lived in look.

 

[klassenl]

I use an Intermatic ST01. Works perfectly.

I second this recommendation.

 

[Kenstone1]

I have this switch for my front outside lights and it has worked now for 2 years:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075H1WLJ1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

check it out,
.

 

[carap]

This the switch I used for exactly the same thing. Worked perfectly.

Amazon.com

 

[nadogail]

Those mechanical time switches for water heaters are both inexpensive and reliable.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have used X-10 modules for 30 pus years for my holiday lighting. different circuits,different exterior lamps , everything is on &off at the same time

I have no intention of switching at this stage in my life

 

[dave*99]

I use the intermatic ST01 type in one application. It works well. The buttons are small and programming it takes some careful button presses. Mine has an internal battery that lasts many years.

I have (3) of the Leviton D215S-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Switch (2nd Gen), Works with Hey Google, Alexa, Apple HomeKit/Siri, and Anywhere Companions, No Hub Required, Neutral Wire Required, White in other places. Much easier to use and the cost is just about the same. No battery required.

 

[MushCreek]

I wound up going with the Leviton, and it works well so far.

 

[ddawg16]

If the outlet is controlled by the wall light switch, then for now I'd just use one of those cheap 24 hour timers and just leave the switch on.

the smart switches are getting better....and my son has been doing a ton of research....there is no clear winner yet....so many protocols

 

[Higgins]

Any of you guys have experience with programmable wall switches? I have a simple need- I want to control when my Christmas lights come on and off. All of the lights are on a simple dedicated switch, and the load is low because the lights are all LED. I'm just not sure which switch to get. Cheaper is better. I don't need anything Bluetooth enabled with a phone app so I can control my Christmas lights from across the world. It needs to be controlled from the wall switch because there are four different outlets involved, all running off of the one switch.

Go to your local HW store they have short extension cords with built in mechanical timers starting around $25.

AL

 

[MushCreek]

There are four outlets controlled by the switch, so I'd have to buy and set four timers, or have extension cords running all over my front porch. As I said, I bought and installed the Leviton, and it works fine. After Christmas, I'm going to move it to control my normal outdoor lights. If it works reliably, I'll buy another one next year for the Christmas lights.

 

[dave*99]

I have 3 of the D215S-2RW Leviton units. One controls 5 lights on the front of house. Programmed to turn on at sunset and off at 5 am. You can set it up any way you want in the app.

Amazon.com

They make a wireless remote wall switch (DAWSC-2RW) for it. It is very thin and battery powered. I needed to use one to function like a 3 way. To control the flood light on the back of the house. The wired wall switch for the flood light is in the basement. I added the remote in the den. I had an existing wall switch in the den in a 1 gang box and it controls a light in the den. I used a 2 gang decora cover plate with the wireless remote in one side and the existing wall switch on the other side. So I have a 1 gang box that looks like 2 gang.

Amazon.com

And I can turn the flood light on from my phone when I'm in the yard.

 

[mrVanagon]

If anybody is using an Intermatic ST01 in an outdoor box, I'd suggest making sure the cover for that box is not a clear one. I have a customer who has this setup for his lights and wanted me to think of something different to do because the ST01 units he's been using only last about a year. The display on the front was getting cooked by UV coming through the clear in-use cover he has.

 

[Kenstone1]

If anybody is using an Intermatic ST01 in an outdoor box, I'd suggest making sure the cover for that box is not a clear one. I have a customer who has this setup for his lights and wanted me to think of something different to do because the ST01 units he's been using only last about a year. The display on the front was getting cooked by UV coming through the clear in-use cover he has.

um, spray paint the cover...
just sayin'

 

[alfredeneuman]

Those mechanical time switches for water heaters are both inexpensive and reliable.

Those have a 208-240V clock motor. The 120V version is the Intermatic T-101.

 

[dscheidt]

You need one with mechanical relay. Otherwise the lights will remain on because they will still get a low level of current.
I use an Intermatic ST01. Works perfectly.

I have an ej600, which is the same idea, but is line powered, instead of battery operated. I also have two very similar switches, of unknown branding (what was available locally when I needed them.) Other than being a pain to program, they all work perfectly. One controls my porch light, the other two are for outside outlets, used for holiday lighting. Even if I turn the random offset on dusk/dawn off, they don't agree when to turn lights on or off, but that's not really ap roblem for me.

 

[couch67]

I use a combination of the Intermatic timer for outdoors and a bunch of x10 modules inside to switch Christmas lights. I've thought about getting something more up to date, but meh. This works fine!