List Price: $29.95
Sale Price: $29.50
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Note this particular time WILL NOT WORK unless the load is at least 40Wwhich could be a problem with CCFL bulbs. I ordered the timer, and this warning is prominent on the back of the package, but not clear in the Amazon product description.
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This is a high-quality timer, well-designed with all the features you would want. Easy to program, and easy to override the program. But make sure to read the fine print before ordering. There are several similar models, but they differ in wattage requirements and neutral-wiring requirements. You have to dig deep into the product details to discover this.Best Deals for Aube TI032-3W/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, White
I have had 4 of these switches installed for over a year now, and they have been simply excellent. They are straightforward to program, and they have worked flawlessly. They also look great.I bought these insted of the intermatics, which are simply AWFUL units. The Intermatics use mechanical timers, and they burn out all the time (I have many friends who moan about them regularly). These units are MUCH better, being digital. No problems, no complaints. An unconditional recommendation.
Honest reviews on Aube TI032-3W/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, White
This is a very easy to install timer. It installs in a two wire arrangement, where there is a hot wire, and a wire coming from the light fixture, and each one comes to the switch. This is how 99% of the switches are wired in the US, so if you aren't sure which of the timer models, this is the model to buy first.It will also install on a three-way circuit. Such circuits are common at either end of a hallway, where two switches operate the same light fixture. In that case, there are three wires running to each of the two switches. Note that if you are installing a brand new circuit, you only need one timer, and the second switch need only be an inexpensive single pole switch, the cheapest you can buy, as the second switch just signals this unit to turn the fixture on or off.
As other posters have noted, the minimum wattage is 40 watts. If you have a single fluorescent bulb on the circuit, this timer probably won't work, unless the bulb is 4' long tube. Maximum is 500 watts, and the instructions say it will get very warm at 500 watts, so that may be pushing it.
Once installed, the instructions step you through setting the clock, and then programming the settings. Programming is simple, but note that the programming leaves a little to be desired. The reason is this: each of the 7 settings (one setting includes an on time and an off time) either is used for a single day, or all 7 days. There is no option to set a single program entry for Monday Friday or Saturday-Sunday. If you want the lights to come on in the early morning, go back off, come back on in the evening and go back off in the late evening, but only M-F and stay off on weekends, you're out of luck. That would require ten program settings (2 for each of the 5 days) and you only get 7.
However, there is a clever way around this if you don't mind the lights being on for 2 minutes twice per day on Saturday and Sunday. What you can do is have it come on in the morning all 7 days and go off in the late morning on program 1. Then have it come on in the evening and go off in the late evening all seven days in program 2. Program 3 comes on one minute after the start of program 1 and then shuts off one minute later, Saturday only. Program 4 does the same thing on Sunday. Program 5 comes on one minute after program 2 and shuts off one minute later on Saturday. Program 6 does the same thing on Sunday. And woo hoo, that does the whole job with one program to spare! Saturday and Sunday will have lights on for two minutes twice per day, but I can live with that. I tested this and it works. So I kept my rating at 5 stars.
Note that the programming of on and off times allows different days for on and off. If you want the light to come on Tuesday morning and off Thursday evening, that only counts as one program. You cannot reverse the order of on and off in a single program.
This is not a countdown timer. You can't press a button and have it go off a set amount of time later.
Programming is protected during power outages by a rechargeable battery that is supplied. The lights will not work nor will the clock display during an outage, but programming is held. Why they didn't just use memory that doesn't erase is beyond me. I didn't see any instructions on replacing the rechargeable battery, so I assume this function will only work for the first 4-5 years until the battery conks out and then it will lose programming at a power outage. The programming is fast and easy not a big issue.
The plate under the clock can be pressed to turn the fixture on or off while the program is running. At the next program event, on or off, the switch will take over again. There is a setting to suspend operation of the program without losing the programming, so that you can operate it manually and the program will not take back over at the next event.
Instructions are extremely clear.
The clock is not lit, so you can't use the unit as a night light.
The white version I ordered does not exactly match the color of the switchplates you can buy for this product. So be aware it won't look perfect, though it's close enough.
Others have had problems with the competing brand, Intermatic. They say that competing brand doesn't last. Time will tell if this is an improvement (UPDATE: 3 years later, it's still working fine). I have half a dozen of the competing brand's timers for years and I haven't had any problems with them.
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