Are plug in timers reliable?

alvintran · May 4, 2013

Are those $4 plug in timers at home depot reliable for LED lights? I'm asking is because I'm going on a vacation in July for a month, and there'll be a person stopping by to feed the animals and let the dogs out, but that's it. So I want to make sure that my led lights will go on a cycle during that time without a hiccup. So has anybody had experience with those cheap timers?

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Aqua fire/medic · May 4, 2013

Yes they are reliable for something like that. I use one for my led strip light

Dtech07 · May 4, 2013

They run my fuge lighting and use to run my main display lighting i never had a issue with them but some people i know have had issue. I like them IMHO

alvintran · May 4, 2013

Aqua fire/medic said:
Yes they are reliable for something like that. I use one for my led strip light

Have they ever failed you before?

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alvintran · May 4, 2013

Dtech07 said:
They run my fuge lighting and use to run my main display lighting i never had a issue with them but some people i know have had issue. I like them IMHO

Why 'used' to run main display? Just wondering.

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mike007 · May 4, 2013

I have never had any issues with them. You might want to educate your carekeeper so they can keep a check on your lighting.

Reefing Madness · May 4, 2013

I use em for my Blue LEDs, Halides, cooling fans and Fuge Lighting. Been using em for years.

alvintran · May 4, 2013

mike007 said:
I have never had any issues with them. You might want to educate your carekeeper so they can keep a check on your lighting.

That's a given. But just to be on the safe side.

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Dtech07 · May 4, 2013

Went to a Apex system and LEDs. But still use for fuge and Phyto farming.

alvintran · May 4, 2013

Awesome!

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alvintran · May 4, 2013

So I have a rapid LED day fixture, and it has a power plug for the dimmer switch and 2 for white and blue LEDs. Is it okay that I leave the 2 color plugs on continuously and plug the dimmer switch into the timer? (When the dinner switch is off, the LEDs go off too)

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alvintran · May 5, 2013

Anyone?

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kindler19 · May 5, 2013

Yes that should be fine to hook it up like that. The ballast are not running until they get the current signal from the dimmer input. This seems to be the case with the type of ballast you are using. Some are a resistance type and would have to be turned on/off by the actual power source.

Steveowhits · May 7, 2013

You should start testing the timer now and make sure it follows the attended schedule. I always try to do experiments during a time I can keep my eyes peeled. good luck

GHill762 · May 7, 2013

I have a brinks digital timer that works great. Beat part is that it keeps on schedule after a power outage because of the battery timer.

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alvintran · May 7, 2013

Steveowhits said:
You should start testing the timer now and make sure it follows the attended schedule. I always try to do experiments during a time I can keep my eyes peeled. good luck

I've started it yesterday. I decided to leave the dimmer plugged in continuously and set a dual timer for the white and blue LEDs. So far so good.

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