Timers

[accentlighting]

Does anyone know of a good timer, other than a digital or hardwired. I'm in the chicagoland area and using a digital timer won't work due to the extreme cold. I'm currently using hadco's multi-tap with thier standard PC, and your common intermatic heavy duty plug in timer. I've had some issues with the timers not tripping on or off. After playing around with the settings a little, I decided to put all 4 on pieces in a row on the timer, and the same with the off. I did this in case the single piece wasn't tripping the switch. It seemed to work and I haven't had any problems since but I'm always looking for suggestions. Any input would be appreciated.

[sitelights]

Most transformers do not have a grounding receptacle for plug in timers thus it is important to specify the type of receptacle (2 prong or 3 prong) required. Note that timers that have a side mounted timed receptacle may not have sufficient clearance i.e. the transformer plug will not fit into a side mounted type because of the proximity of the side or front of the cover.

The Grasslin G32-658 has the 3 prong timed receptacle on the face of the unit so the only issue is whether or not the plug will clear the face plate of the transformer. Captive trippers (such as the Grasslin) are more convenient to use and are less likely to be lost. These more or less generic plastic trippers (captured or not) from all the manufacturers have a wear resistance factor similar to a Hershey bar. The tripper and the gear it trips wear our equally so the net effect is a head on collision of two vehicles at 60 mph.

There are many "outboard" timers that interface between the power cord of the transformer and the 120v house powered receptacle. These have a "low rent" appearance and invite the owner into the control loop. Note that with mechanical timers the owner is dragged kicking and screaming into the control loop which results in potential service calls.

On this particular topic I must mention the Bronze Age Intermatic mechanical timer in its vintage metal R-3 case. [I admit to a positive animus to the Malibu junk sold by Intermatic which did a great and grave disservice to the low voltage outdoor lighting business some years back but that is another story] The Intermatic time clock to which I refer has been manufactured for 50 years with no changes whatsoever; I have one painted a pale green in my museum of outdated hardware that is circa 1950.

This particular dinosaur is still built to the '50s spec: heavy metal like an old Buick. This item is all stamped steel and the trippers (the weak point of any mechanical timer) with their thumb screw clamp down fitment were and are indestructible. If you want a bullet proof (not to say bomb proof) timer this is it and for chump change.

The downside of these mechanical timers is the lack of memory in case of power outage and the necessity for manual DST changes. Check out the post "dusk to timed off" in this forum.

[accentlighting]

Sitelights,
I have used the Intermatic grey box commercial timers before and I agree, they are almost indestructable and actually perform very well for thier specific function. I have never had any problems with them not turning the systems on and off. The problem I have with them is appearance and the lack of battery back up like you said. The hadco transformers I use have grounded (3 prong) outlets internally for timers. They don't have much front room so a side loaded timer must be used. I use Intermatics plastic counterpart inside the transformer because it gives my systems a much cleaner appearance. I had the issues with the pins performing properly, but have since solved that problem as I stated before. Now the only problem I have is with the battery back up. If I set the client expectations during the sales call about adjusting the timers after a power failure, 99% of my clients are fine with that. It's acceptable to my clients but it just dosen't sit well with me. As everyone knows it creates a service headache for myself and also my clients. So I'm always looking for a good mechanical plug in timer with battery back up, that can be used inside my transformers. I've looked through most of the posts here, and also through retailers all over and am starting to believe that this may be just a glitch in some of my systems that I have to deal with untill the "golden timer" is made.

[sitelights]

Since the mechanical clock drive is essentially a motor it is highly unlikely that battery back up is available on this planet. The trippers activate what is termed an "air gap" switch (a space between the contactors that complete their circuit when the gap is closed) and the mechanical drive to trip the switch would need to develop a modicum of torque.

The resistance encountered when turning the clock dial plus the spring loaded pawl that the tripper must move both require a substantial amount of energy and a large battery. There is the problem of introducing the battery power into the 120v driven motor when a power failure occurs...an almost impossible task...and then switching back to 120v.

Electronic timers also contain an air gap switch (the switch is audible) scaled down to fit in the timer body with a commensurately smaller gap. The gap is opened and closed by moving the contact a very short distance with a magnet.

The type and load rating switched is a function of the size of the components. Thus the old style mechanical timers can handle a nominal 1800w incandescent load but the electronic timers can handle only a third of that or about 500w. One type is robust and reliable; the other is delicate and prone to failure.

After replacing quite a number of electronic timers over the years (the failure rate is very near to 100%) I now stock only mechanical timers that have identical connectors i.e. right-angle quick connects that mate with the terminals of the timer being replaced.

With a photocontrol in the loop the lights still come on at dusk and the clock turns them off at, for example, midnight in the summer and 11 PM in the winter. Now if only DST would be abolished...

[rick]

Check Eden Lights post under Control Systems/control, control, control. The UPB type technology is the future of Landscape Lighting controls. It has many great features, but the astronomical time clock alone is reason enough to use the system. Do you really want to make a special trip every year to every client just to change the DST setting, batteries or reset manual time clocks that have lost power! Wouldn't it be convenient for a client to push a button inside their residence and turn lights back on after they have gone off for the evening (entertainment, security, etc.). Thanks Eden Lights

[sitelights]

These integrated electronic control systems lack a feature that is of tantamount importance to the servicing of installed work. We have 1348 (12.06) installed projects going back to the mid-80s; about a third of these are still being serviced by us. Without an override accessible to the service technician an appointment must be made to ensure that the lighting will be on in daylight.

Our entire service model is based on taking the client out of the control loop, removing the burden of ownership from the experience of low voltage outdoor lighting by providing automatic operation and "no appointment" i.e. "drop in" servicing.

External mounting of all system components allow pro-active service ("no call") calls that can be made during the course of travel through geographically proximate existing work. If we are doing scheduled work in, for example, zip code 19085 we can also service other in-warranty systems as time permits.

The open ended aspect of servicing a system precludes exact apointments; the time on site is not known in advance. To call a number of clients in the proximate service area to have them turn on their lights on the possiblity that we may come to replace their burnt out lamps is an imposition on their time and focus. At this point the reader should place themself into the client's position: Why is this person calling me to do something I didn't ask them to do and then expressing an uncertainty about the ability to do it?

Clearly low voltage outdoor lighting is a service business that, from the client's standpoint, has nothing whatsoever to do with hardware and everything to do with aesthetics and convenience; hence the need to always coordinate service with the client is an imposition that reduces the perceived value of the product to just another system to be maintained.

The tipping point between reliable operation and the unavoidable necessity of regular maintenance announces itself every time we bring the client into the service loop. Transparency is what the client wants: lighting effects without the need for action. They have already written the check; what more should one ask?

Where is the accessible override button needed to provide service in the client's absence?

[rick]

The required Service Override is as simple as unplugging the module in the transformer and plugging that same plug back into the transformer. Now you can manually turn any/all transformers on/off and perform any necessary service work. There is no need for client involvement unless you allow the client to convince you to install transformers inside which I will not do for safety and maintenance reasons.

[sitelights]

A close reading of Eden Lights' posts (control, control, control) discloses that the control (and the transformer) are mounted inside; the spec gives 30 - 120F (0 - 50C) as the operating range. Eddie works in Tennessee, you work in Maine and I work in Pennsylvania so how likely is it that the device will work reliably outdoors at the temperatures we encounter?

Perhaps it is possible to place a master switch unobtrusively on the exterior of the house to provide override for the proactive, unannounced tech call but that is not stated.

[rick]

The transformers can be inside or out. Most Landscape Lighting transformers are mounted outside. A UPB appliance/lighting module (simply-automated.com UMA module for example) goes inside the transformer. It is 120 VAC +/- 10% 60 Hz and is a contact closure type. It can handle 12 amps and operates between 30-120 F. Most environments in the U.S.A. fall within this temperature range.
The UPB technology uses a signal 10 times stronger than X-10. The rare occasion that one fails would offset servicing other systems and Service calls for controls are seldom. UPB systems help reduce the biggest money drain (maintenance) to a Landscape Lighting company.

[sitelights]

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps illustrate that the low temperatures encountered in Central Tennessee (-10 to -15 F), Southeast Pennsylvania (-10 to -5 F) and Coastal Maine (-5 to 0 F) contradicts the statement about the UPB module being exposed to the specified temperature range in most of the USA.

The failures of the Grasslin Digi 42 module have occurred in installations where the unit is mounted outside. No failures of the Grasslin have occurred in the few instances (less than 12) where the unit is installed indoors. The Grasslin spec lists -20 to 140 F as tne ambient temperature range.

[rick]

The temperatures quoted are the extremes that could be expected in those areas and seldom do they occur. In the coastal Maine area we might have 1 day a year with the temperatures quoted. Since timer modules are an inanimate object they are not affected by windchill. The benefits of UPB technology far outway the possibility of an extremely cold day:
1) Astronomical timers feature sunrise/sunset programs and automatically adjust for DST and leap year. I no longer have to visit clients for these simple maintenance issues nor do I have to carry around a supply of AA batteries for digital timers.
2)The astronomical timer does away with photo cells. It is a never ending job just replacing photocells every 1-3 years. This another waste of time and money for everyone.
3)If clients are entertaining and the lights are normally scheduled to go off at 11:00 pm, they can push a button and turn them back on. Can you imagine how embarassing it would be to be entertaining guests outside in their beautifully illuminated property and then have the lights go off for the evening while they are sitting there!
4) The same timer unit that controls your lights can also turn water features on/off
5)For security purposes a timer could be plugged in next to your bed. This would allow you to turn all lights on instantly. The timer can also be put into vacation mode and randomly turn lights on/off in the evening. The timer does not have a volatile memory and can be unplugged and moved if necessary. Expected battery life is 5 years because it is inside the residence.
These are just some of the major benefits and reasons for choosing UPB systems. With the assistance of an electrician you can even have the timer turn on line voltage lights, motors, appliances etc. All these benefits allow my clients and myself to enjoy lighting systems with minimal maintenance.