The Problem w/Digital Timers

[Tobman]

I have two Coralife digital timers, which are more flexible and supposedly safer than the mechanical ones.

The only problem is, as I found out yesterday, if the power goes out, the timer resets itself to the default settings. Not a big problem if I'm in town, but if I am on vacation or something, the tank would be sitting a long time with a screwed up light cycle.

[michaeldaly]

Some digital timers take batteries to avoid that situation. The mechanical ones timing will be off but it will switch on for the same number of hours every day.

[sjm817]

A decent (not Coralife) timer will have a battery backup.

[Tobman]

So what is a decent timer? Who makes them? I can't believe Coralife would not put a battery backup in their timers, it seems negligent almost.

[Amador]

I am using a digital outdoor timer I bought from HD for about $15. I can't remember the brand name, but it is a heavy duty timer and has a battery backup, and it runs my 250W halides nicely. The only downside is that its two outlets are not independently programmable.

[andyco]

I use intermatic appliance timers.

Not digital, but cheap and reliable.

Ace sells 'em...

-andy

[dkh0331]

I've used these intermatics for years without issue

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20173dt17c.jpg

[Tobman]

If you read the reviews of the Intermatic timer on Amazon, they are almost all negative. People have had many problems with it overheating, melting the plug, etc. Sounds like a fire trap to me. You guys may not have had problems with it, but you are far outnumbered as far as I can tell.

Any other options?

[AndyNarwhal]

The Coralife Digital timers have a battery backup. It's on the back side of the timer. You should check to make sure you removed the little plastic strip that keeps the battery from discharging while on the shelf. If you did then you may want to get a new battery.

Andy

[sjm817]

I've used these with good success. Heavy duty 3 prong, 20 programs, 1 minute interval, built in battery backup. Got them at Target.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00013K2SG.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[namdrib2]

I use Intermatic Outdoor Timers. I got them at Home Depot for 15.99. Only controls two outlets so I use three of them. The clocks have battery backup. They work great. I had a Coarlife manual timer and went through twon in three months both with the same problem, one of the timers would start to malfunction and not keep time it would get stuck at a certain time. Here is a link to Intematic website.

http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=9235&did=3&cid=44&sid=116

[miatawnt2b]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8521853#post8521853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
I've used these with good success. Heavy duty 3 prong, 20 programs, 1 minute interval, built in battery backup. Got them at Target.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00013K2SG.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Too bad these don't do 30 programs... you could run your moonlights in a lunar cycle.
-J

[atvdave]

here's what I use from Lowe's.
There about $15 each and have a battery backup. Works great.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/56970digital_timers.jpg

[Phyxius]

I`m with atvdave with the same timers. I have 6 of them in total on all my tanks and my Kalk Reactor. Easy to use, battery backup, 20+ settings , random mode and etc. Been using them for 2 yrs with no problems on any of them. 1 minute switching on/off intervals and 1 second min countdown settings. Ran my halides off them pre Reefkeeper addition with no problems either

[rkelman]

I have the coralife digital timer. It has a battery but it eats them so fast its not practical to keep replacing them. I get about a month out of a battery which is nuts to run a lcd clock... BTW the timers digital and otherwise are made by intermatic for coralife.

[myakkareef]

Same timer as atv here also, work great, will hold your settingswithout power for a long time. Been running the same ones for close to 6 years now.. Reliable, i would say yes..