This is one of the best, most versatile timers I've ever used. The astronomical feature will operate outdoor lighting in sync with sunup and sundown for your particular location. Or it will operate as a regular timer or a random timer (varies your programmed on/off events up to 30 minutes to make your house look more lived in).
There are 28 programmable events for 14 on/off cycles (they can be all on events or all off events, but that wouldn't make much sense). You can have all 28 events on the same day, or program different events on different days of the week. Each event is programmed for the day of the week, the time (hour and minutes), and whether it's an on event or an off event. There are two watch batteries inside that keep the time and run the display. The batteries will keep the time for 3 months if the timer is not plugged into power. This means you can program the timer while holding it, then plug it in when you're done. The on/off events remain in memory without battery power, and if you replace low batteries within one minute, you won't have to reset the clock's time. One very handy feature is the knob used to change all settings. You can go forward or backward for every setting by spinning the knob. Whatever's plugged into the timer's outlets can be turned on or off manually with a button on the front.
If you want to read the operating instructions for this particular timer, you can go to Intermatic.com and download them in PDF format for free. For the features, ease of use, and the price, you absolutely can't beat this timer. Intermatic DT620CL 15 Amp Indoor Astronomic Digital Timer
There are several secrets to programming this device. From reading the reviews you can tell that some people figured them out right away after reading the directions, some had difficulty, and some never figured them out and returned the device as defective.
Secret 1: OK doesn't mean OK. It means cancel the setting I just finished programing. To keep the setting you have to push PROG after setting the minutes.
Secret 2: An event is not an on-off cycle. It is just one time setting. To get an on-off you need to program two events. If you program an on time for event 1 and then an off time for event 1 you will find that the on time is gone. You can do on settings and off settings in any order. The device just executes the change of state when that time is reached for that day.
Secret 3: You have to push the ON/OFF button when you plug it in the first time after programming it. After that it operates by itself.
Secret 4: Dusk and dawn settings override time settings. I didn't set any dusk or dawn events so I didn't figure out the details of this one but if your device isn't going on and off when you expected it to, check your dusk and dawn settings.
If you plug a cord into the bottom half of the outlet it is then possible to plug in this timer at an angle at the top and it will still work. It is too big to go in straight if something else is plugged in. It is wide enough to take up three spaces on a power strip.
There is a three prong outlet on each side of this timer. Both follow the same program.
Once you figure out how to program it, this is an excellent timer. It has only been one day since I got the program working so I have no opinion on the durability of it. The secrets I listed are explained in the directions but obviously a lot of us didn't pick up on them at first reading.
Wanted something to turn the lights on and off in the house without being at the same time of day - mostly to come on for security
Features I really like:
- Considers geographic location for sunset and sunrise times
- Considers Daylight savings for the clock
- Has a random on/off time for even for the sunset/sunrise settings
- Covers only one of the wall outlets
- A small light comes on when it is on - nice to know bulb/fixture is off
- Fairly easy to program
Only had it a week, but I set it up to randomly come on at dusk and off at midnight - if it tracks the dusk changes throughout the year, it will be perfect.
I am using several of these to turn on various lights in our house at different times during the week. They also work great for controlling outdoor christmas lights when you have multiple strings on multiple AC feeds. With two of these things, I can get everything to come on and off at the same time.
The clock seems to be very accurate and I have not noticed any issues with them running slow or fast. All of our units are still synced with the current time over a year after purchase! I find the programming easy once you learn how the system is laid out. The "owners manual supplied" with the unit provided ample instructions and I have no complaints.
I use another one on my cable modem and router to power cycle them every other night at 3AM to keep our network refreshed and optimized.
I have used a lot of various timers over the years, and this one is hands down the best I have come across.
Some have claimed this thing to be difficult to use...
All I can say to that is... If you are one of those technophobes who's VCR has been flashing 12:00 for the last 10 years, you may have issues. ;o)
I wouldn't have purchased more if I wasn't so impressed. I currently own 6 of these.
A very good timer that works well, but i bought mine at the end of June and it craped out the end of October.
I have a second one I bought and havent used and am trying that. The unit gets quite hot which is one possable reason thy it burns out.
THE GOOD:
BUTIONS and DATA ENTRY WHEEL! Only two things that need instructions: Clearing memory (hold on/off while using a paper clip to push reset) and programming where OK returns to menu PROG steps through the programming settings. The rest is very intuitive (no hold button a and push button b 3 times to do one thing and then push button a three times while holding button b to do something else).
Dawn Dusk look up table the dawn/dusk events can be off set or changed by changing location (for a given state you have "N,NE,NW,S,SE,SW,Central) as well as the manual arbitrary offset.
Random is a mode so you don't have to change any programming to use it, just push the mode button for a random add/subtract from the ON/OFF times.
Can set events to every day, week days, week ends or a single day.
Total of 28 events with no limitations as to how many are assigned to a day interval.
The ON/OFF switch changes state until the next event. i.e. pushing ON turns the outlets on until the next event (if its OFF then the outlets turn OFF, if its On then the timer just takes over).
Real useful wattage and two 3 prong outlets.
Reasonable price.
Nice appearance.
THE BAD:
No day by day or event offset when using Dawn/Dusk times. The time can be offset but that applies to all events using Dawn/Dusk. So no way to account for sleeping in on Sun.
Random applies to the timer and all settings as a whole not to an event.
On most outlets, power strips of cords will take 2 outlets and as the sockets are on the side if both are used will potentially take 3.
Doubtfull durability.
Takes 2 expensive L44 batteries (around $4.50 each at Radio Shack).
THE UGLY:
The timer gets warm and stays a bit warm when plugged in even if not programmed. I don't know what the current draw is as I can't find my watt meter.
No real provision for rechargeable batteries.
It would be nice if there was an option to turn an outlet on when the other turned off.
Overall a big improvement over the other timers I have used and I am planning on ordering some more. - Timer - Lamp Timer - Digital Outlet Timer - Digital Timer'
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