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I use these Intermatic timers to replace three in-wall digital timers I've used for many years, as well as some X-10 based switches. These older timers had not failed, but they became unreliable with the switch to LED and fluorescent light bulbs. They both depended on the small amount of current that the filaments of the old incandescent bulbs could pass without it causing the bulbs to light up. This current is what the internal timers ran on in the case of the older digital timers and in the X-10 switches the filaments allowed a path for the signal the X-10 hubs send out to cause the switches to turn off-and-on. So no filaments, no current; no current, no path. The newer fluorescent and LED bulbs don't allow any current to pass through them; they're either off or on, based on the switches being used. Enter these newer Intermatic timers, which have internal timers that run on a small lithium battery cell. The circuitry Intermatic designed, operates by using the current from the battery to keep the timer running, and that in-turn provides the needed control of the power to operate the LED and fluorescent bulbs. Intermatic went beyond simple timers with these switches by providing a program in them that tracks the time of year combined with allowances for location, so that the timers follow the seasons and thus adjust when the lights go on-and-off in time with sunrise and sunset. Intermatic even provided a programed schedule to do this in a random manner so that it appears someone is at home operating the lights, i.e. they still follow the season, but change up their switching times a few minutes each way daily so it doesn't appear so regimented. These switches have solved all of the issues I've experienced since switching out our lighting. They have allowed us to benefit from the reduced operating costs the newer lights provide, along with their better light and longer reliability. This has really been brought home, as we still have a few "decorative" incandescent bulbs in use in a Tiffany-style lamp, and I realize now that I've been replacing those bulbs at least twice a year since we bought the lamp over 20 years ago. That didn't used to seem excessive, but I just replaced the first LED bulb I installed in our garage. It was a large bulb, with the equivalent output of 200 watts incandescent-equivalent. That bulb lasted 13 years! It lasted through thousands and thousands of on-off cycles during that time. That's service! Yeah, these Intermatic switches weren't cheap to buy, but using them to operate quality LED bulbs makes for a great light system that is really energy and money saving. And, buying them on eBay saved me $15.00 a switch. So, what's not to love?Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Installation was straightforward. Instructions were clear. This product replaced an earlier version that had worked well for 20 years. In addition to replicating the functionality or the older unit, this had a feature that allowed the user to use on/off settings based on dusk or dawn times that will vary through the year. This means that the unit no longer needs to be reset at different seasons.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Hard to program, Some features like program 1,2 and 3"s independent roles ore just not explainded and it takes quite an imagination to figure out that each one is a single function. Like single pole switch.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Set it to come on at Dusk and turn off at Dawn! This is my second Intermatic astronomic Timer. Use the Intermatic You Tube video to help you program it. Once it’s set using the astronomic setting you’re done fooling with it for many years. I would have given 5 stars but they need to improve the programing steps.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
After going through a few different timers that will work with LED bulbs I've finally got one that works! I had an Intermatic timer already but it is 20 years old and LED bulbs won't work with it. So I had to purchase another one. Bought one at Lowes, it didn't work. Swapped it for another one. It also failed within 5 minutes. So I just began a search for another Intermatic branded one here on ebay and found this one. It works just as it's supposed to. Buy a name brand one for the best results.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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