Cheap Intermatic ST01C White Self Adjusting Wall Switch Timer

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List Price: $39.00
Sale Price: $28.90
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This purchase was worth every penny. Unbelievable all the features it has wrapped up in such a tiny package. Right now I have two seperate programs going. One program turns it on at dusk, and off at 10:30pm seven days a week. The other program turns it on at 6am, and off at 7:30am Monday thru Friday just for going to work in the mornings. The directions don't explain the multiple programs very well, but it can be done. Once you get your time zone and region set up, it is very simple to program after a few practices. The other cool feature is that you can manually turn it on just by pressing the cover to the controls, then pressing it again for off. The reason I purchased this particular Intermatic model is that it is capable of working with compact Fluorescents without damaging the bulbs mini ballast. There are many timers out there, but if you plan on using them with compact fluorescents, either read the package specifications or call the manufacture to make sure it will work for that application. Hope you find my review helpful.

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I've got it 2 weeks ago to replace EJ500C I was having for 3 months. My biggest problem with EJ500C was that I have fluorescent lights outside and had to use them with a regular incandescent to prevent the lights to constantly glow electronic switch in EJ500C just can't cut the power off completely when there is no ballast I guess. Plus I don't know what EJ500C was doing to the power, but I had to replace that incandescent light every two weeks, which was driving me nuts. ST01C has a "real" mechanical relay inside that electronically controlled but physically switches the power. You can hear a distinctive clicking sound when it goes on and off. My biggest concern is that it's official replacement of disastrous model SS7C, which never lasted more then 6 months. Intermatic claims that ST01C was fixed and problems SS7C had are just impossible. Will live will see. For right now I'm very happy, my 6 CFLs and 300W low voltage circuit work as I want and I have plans to add more lights. I will update my feedback as soon as I have any problems with the switch (knock on wood).

Update (1/22/2009): after all the time passed I have only good things to say about the timer. Since the day one I didn't have to touch the settings, it works just fine. I have to admit that the timer's clock lost about 10 min for 14 months of non-stop work, but it is OK with me no clock is perfect and turning the lights on 10 min earlier is no biggie. I didn't have to replace a single CFL light after starting using the timer. There is nothing to complaint about, 5 stars, honestly deserved by this switch

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I started with the SS7C, it broke after 6 months. I then tried the EJ500C, it started flickering after one week. I now have the ST01C, hopefully it's better than the previous Intermatic junk I've owned.

Feature-wise, it's the best yet. I just worry about the reliability of the unit, given Intermatic's terrible track record.

I gave it 4 stars because the body that fits behind the wall plate is large, and it leaves little room for all the wires, and the wire-nuts etc.

If this thing breaks, then I'll be back to give it one star. Until then, stay tuned.

One more note -the mechnical relay inside the unit makes a snapping noise when the lights go on/off. It's loud enough that my dog goes into "alert" status upon hearing it.

UPDATE ....

I really wanted to like this product. The features are great. I liked the idea of automatic DST adjustment in the spring/fall, and the self-adjusting sunrise and sunset option. And I liked the looks of this unit better than other models. I also liked the fact it's mechanical relay would switch just about any reasonable type of light.

But mine doesn't keep the correct time. The clock gains about a minute per week. THe problem is after a year, it will be off nearly an hour. Kind of makes the automatic DST, and sunrise/sunset adjustment meaningless if one has to adjust the clock for the correct time anyway. I don't expect the accuracy of the atomic clock in Boulder, but These days a $5 digital watch will keep nearly perfect time over a year. So what went wrong with this product?

So, mine is coming out of the wall again today, and getting returned to the store. For now, I'm just going to go back to a manual switch until some better product comes out.

Other than the inaccurate clock, the unit is perfect. I may have just received a lemon, and others may be fine, but after multiple trips to the store with defective Intermatic products, I'm done! I can't adjust my 4 star rating with this update, otherwise I would have adjusted the rating to about a 2 star.

Honest reviews on Intermatic ST01C White Self Adjusting Wall Switch Timer

The timer was not working correctly for me until I figured out what they meant by a "program". I thought they meant one on/off cycle. Each "program" is an off or an on. Once that was figured out, it was easy to program.

This works just fine with compact fluorescent lights I use in my outside fixtures.

It was bit challenging stuffing all wires back into the box because I'm using it with a three way switch.

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I had to replace an earlier model that went belly-up a couple of months ago after working fine for 4 years. The replacement unit that I picked up was the Intermatic Model ST01 series. The engineers had redesigned the unit to use a camera battery (CR-2) instead of the previous models AAA batteries. Bad design!!! The CR-2s only last less than two months. I've gone through 4 batteries in about 7 months. They should never have gotten away from the AAA batteries!!! ...I've got to find another timer that uses a different battery design.