This appears to be the same as the Intermatic DT620CL 15 Amp Indoor Astronomic Digital Timer, which I purchased in 2010 and is still working well. There are many reviews for that.
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.
Secret 5: It may not work immediately after you insert the batteries, causing you to wonder if the batteries are dead or if you inserted them wrong. When it didn't turn on with the batteries in it, I plugged it into the wall socket and pushed some buttons. It came to life and the batteries maintained the display for making the settings after it was removed from the socket.
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. You cannot use the socket next to it if you have a four socket outlet on the wall.
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. The secrets I listed are explained in the directions but obviously a lot of us didn't pick up on them at first reading. Intermatic DT620 Heavy Duty Indoor Digital Plug-In Timer, White
I think the most important thing is to read the entire instruction sheet before you start pushing buttons. When you first start the programming, you are putting in the current time, date, etc. Then you move into your location, daylight savings time, time zone, etc. If you didn't read that far, you are @##%! by that time! So take your time, read the whole set up section, then start pushing buttons.
Another thing....the two plug ins are on the same program. You CANNOT control the two separately. Too bad, I wish I could find a timer that would let you have two devices each on its own program.
All things considered, it's a great timer (I have bought two now and they are working perfectly). It took me 30 minutes to program the first one, but only 5 minutes to program the second one. Once you got it figured out, it's pretty easy to do.
This piece works well and is a real easy set up. Programming the unit it easy and takes a few minutes. I use it to light up a couple of lamps inthe living room every night and its handled that task just fine.
Its a little on the bulky side so it does sap up space on the power strip and wall outlet. You also have to bend down to smack that on/off button if you wanna turn on that lamp any other time. The button should have been a little bigger or placed somewhere else on the unit so you can hit it with your foot. the lcd screen is lit up like an old watch so at night you gotta look at the screen just right or you just see a little yellow light.
overall worth the cash
I do energy studies for Compressed Air Systems. This leads me to question how much electricity is being used by individual appliances in my home. Coffee Makers, Hair Dryers, Small Electric Heaters and some Laser Printers are energy "Hogs" Shutting these off or unplugging them when not in use is a good start. Imagine my surprise when I found the DVR for my Comcast Cable was also an energy "Hog". This unit draws 2.2 Amps of 120v power all of the time. Even when you push the off button.
Intermatic DT620CL 15 Amp Indoor Astronomic Digital Timer The energy draw on this DVR unit can be calculated as follows: 120v x 2.2Amps = 264 watts. 1000 watts equals a Kilowatt, which is how most people pay for there electricity. In one day of operation this DVR will cost: (264 watts x 24 divided by 1000) x .12 cents per KW = $ .76 per day. In a month this unit will cost: $ .76 cents per day x 30 = $ 22.80. I have two of these units in my house. $ 22.80 x 2 = $ 45.60. How many do you have?
Now, obviously the DVR must on in order for us to watch Comcast Cable TV. But, when we are at work or sleeping, it can be unplugged to save energy. That is where this plug-in, timer does it's job. I bought two, one for each unit. They cost about $ 23.00 each. They plug in the existing outlet and will allow two appliances to be plugged in and controled.
I believe that there are up to 28 "On" or "Off" time settings. It was more than enough for me to program the timers to shut off the DVRs for more than 50% of the time during the week. Blocks of time, ex. Weekdays, Weekends can be programmed together or individually. Read the instructions. There are some "Quirks" to the programming, but nothing that is "Rocket" sience.
Bottom line. $ 45.60 x .50 = $ 22.80. This is the electrical savings that I should see with the DVRs on these timers. Simple payback on this purchase for my parameters will be just over two months. The rest of the year is the "Gravy". I have just done the install and am waiting for my next bill. These units are robust enough to handle any small appliance and can be a great "No Brainer" for reducing your electical use on many items. - Indoor Timer - Lamp Timer - Digital Timer - Programmable Timer'
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