Where to get good and reliable light timers?

[zoombee]

i need 2 light timers but i realised they are quite expensive..

any bros out here can share where to find cheap and reliable light timers?

thanks

[rebbot]

i need 2 light timers but i realised they are quite expensive..

any bros out here can share where to find cheap and reliable light timers?

thanks

Any reason why you need two? I have one for two sets of lights using multi-adapter.

I use "TheBen" I think and it has been reliable. Pricing is in the high tens to low twenties.

Cheers!

[torque6]

depends on whether you want manual or the digital ones, i think the digital ones, which cost around 27- 45, are quite good, saw a few at sin lin enter at SL, cost around 40+, the manual ones, namely theben [can buy from biotope] and taiyo types/powerpac can easily get from carrefour or selfix.

[zoombee]

one for each tank

I am looking at those manual ones as digital ones if there is a blackout everything resets its very troublesome...or do they have "memory" to remember incase of a blackout?

[hc rotala]

Analog one doesn’t but Digital one has integrated a battery cell as keep-up the time ticking once power failure.

[zoombee]

oh then digital sounds interesting for me since it has a battery

[rc311]

oh then digital sounds interesting for me since it has a battery

Hi, I used both analog and digital but do note that digital model can only a few presets. I.e. my digital double plug can only set 4 on/off for input 1 and 3 on/off for input 2 which the analog can set as many as you want...

cheers!
rc311

[zoombee]

thanks for the tip. so you reckon analog ones are more flexible to no limits in the input timing? analog ones cost alot lesser too. so far I have only seen one input ones for analog and never seen multiple inputs for analog ones. care to advise their cost and where can i get some?

[ankank]

I'd like to add that many of the digital ones are not suitable to switch FL lights. I've tried three different makes and two of them would reset every few days, clearing all their program data, regardless of the backup battery. Obviously some makes do have problems switching FL ballasts.

[celticfish]

on another note, i'd like to highlight the following:
the battery will run out eventually, with or without you knowing, and you have to buy a replacement.
every technology has its own "flaws" and "bites" back.
it shouldn't be a problem as long as you go into the technology eyes wide open.

[torque6]

i ve read some of the packaging at the back of the digital ones, seems you can program a few power on/off with just 1 unit.

Works great if you plan to manage algae with a 2 hr break inbetween co2 release and lights.

[hc rotala]

The “Grasslin” or “Thiel” digital timer can programmable for every single day respectively from Monday to Sunday; you can specifically set longer photo-type time on weekend to watch your tank.

As for the back-up battery, I think the manufacturing R&D team should known that what we known. It should last longer than our ordinary PC’s CMOS battery as the battery only keeping up the time while power fail but not trigger the relay coil which need more electricity so until power regain than the relay be switching.

[valice]

There are some digital timers like SoundTech which uses rechargeable batteries inside the timer. So you wouldn't have the problem of having lost memory. And the batteries are charged when the timer is plugged in.

Then again, SoundTech has a bad reputation of dying.

[salexjared]

So far I have used quite a few models of digital and they are working fine (6 months only).

1. They have batteries and so a black out would not reset everything that you have programmed.

2. They usually have >= 8 programmable slots for you with day selection as well

3. I have connect lights and CO2 systems to it and no reset is seen even when I have a 300W lighting set attached to it (so no trip issue)

4. So far the timing is consistent and is not a problem. If the battery goes then replace it. But it should be a long time.

5. I have used analog before but they have died on me 2x. So my experience is that they are not more reliable than digital (depends on whether you get lemon or they were too cheap so got inferior quality. Your luck.

So now I have more digital and less analog ones running. Also need to make sure your analog one are the quite ones (some do make quite a bit of noise in the quite of the night.

[edmchan]

depends on whether you want manual or the digital ones, i think the digital ones, which cost around 27- 45, are quite good, saw a few at sin lin enter at SL, cost around 40+, the manual ones, namely theben [can buy from biotope] and taiyo types/powerpac can easily get from carrefour or selfix.

I bought 2 digital ones from carrefour for $28 each. Works well and allows multiple entries daily and weekly. Anyway, they were the cheapest I found.

[mario tan]

hi, just to infor that i got mine at giant for 6.95 only. working well.

[zoombee]

hi, just to infor that i got mine at giant for 6.95 only. working well.

i presume its analog one?

[zoombee]

just want to share with bros out there..i bought a timer brand "TAIYO" from carrefour suntec cost on promotion now $9.90 with a free multi-plug which is a very decent deal. I have been using it for a week now its been very reliable so far.. worth a try for the price and free gift...there is also a TAIYO extension multi-plug (4 sockets) going at $16.90 with a 4 socket 2pin multi-plug free..very useful too ...i believe its chinese new year promotion as the packaging is Chinese New Year style...

[BFG]

My TheBen timer just conked out. I have used this for my actinic lighting for my marine tank at 3hr per day for a year plus. Woke up to go to work to see the whole hall was still lighted by my actinic lighting. It was 2x54w T5 actinic lighting. Think need to replace it with Thiel brand timer.

[corycat]

Any reason why you need two? I have one for two sets of lights using multi-adapter.

I use "TheBen" I think and it has been reliable. Pricing is in the high tens to low twenties.

Cheers!

Use this "Teben" brand before, think its a German brand Packaing think got one owl face. . Very "power" use for 8 years, no issue. Mine placed at balcony some more, expose to high humidity.
Work very well, cost about $20 to $28, can get at Clementi 328 LFS