What is the best 1 plug timer to use with grow lights?

[AussieStoner86]

I'm not sure of what timer to get, I need a reliable timer that I can set either 12-18 hours.

 

How many days will timers run for? Do they need to be reprogramed after so many days?

 

I only need a one plugger.

 

What brand/model is a good timer that won't melt & can cater to my needs that I wont have to reset till I change the hours?

[merl1n]

Hi there AussieStoner86,

 

In simple terms you want a mechanical timer not electronic one. One with a wheel or dial. Some have 15 minute intervals and you press down the lugs for "on time" or one with removable pins that you locate yourself. Don't go electronic, some of these have batteries which go flat or they run off of mains power and when the power goes off they reset themselves and this is a real pain in the ass. Mechanical will stop when the power is out, but they do not reset and just continue ticking over when the power is restored.

If you don't overload them ie more than 10amps, they work fine and don't melt

Personally I replace all my timers every 3rd grow whether they need it or not. I got caught once, never again. Timers are very important for your light cycle, don't piss around and just replace them to be sure. I use Kambrook

Dial timers run on a 24hr clock, so 18/6=24 and 12/12=24. I basically set and forget. I check to make sure they are on but don't have to touch them usually. I know of electronic timers that you can set for 7 day cycle but it's too much fuckn around and they have watch batteries they run on which can be bloody expensive over time, and the batteries die at the most inconvenient times.

 

Just some advice

Merl1n

[flatcat_auz]

Herbs digital timer (available from your local hydro shop-at least that's where I got mine) Have had 1 for 5+yrs never missed a beat. Prior to this had mechanical as describe above, burnt out a few before I was told that my 600w light was burning timer/s out(well that's what the dude at the hydo shop reckons).

Herb's going good.