Can there possibly be a harder to operate lamp timer than the Intermatic DT500CL?
I'm so sorry I bought it!
Can there possibly be a harder to operate lamp timer than the Intermatic DT500CL?
I'm so sorry I bought it!
There are a few that look like the same thing with different names on them. I have an Ingraham TE 109 that someone gave me because it's so difficult to program. There is a chance this link may help.
Yup my neighbour gave me two (electronic); cos very difficult to program! Not only that if the power went off they had to be reset! With an electromechanical timer at least it starts again after the power interruption (usually, here, very brief!). In fact it's possible to check how long the power was off by noting later how 'delayed' the setting is!
Hmm, Nothing is hard or difficult unless you don't understand what you are doing. All my timers indoor/outdoor is digital.
I'm actually glad both of you have had "problem" electrical timers given to you; I'm about to mail you mine! :)
I mean, how hard can they make these things to program? Nothing (absolutely nothing) on it is intuitive!
For example, here are the instructions for mine:
Setting the Operating Mode
4h. ¡§SEL¡¨ will show in the TOD display and the DOW icons displayed above ¡§SEL¡¨ reflect the timer¡¦s operating mode setting (Fig. 6, 7 or 8). The three possible modes are: a. The Daily Mode will allow three events per individual day for a total of 21 events all week. Only the current day (MO, TU, etc.) will be displayed above ¡§SEL¡¨. b. The Weekend/Weekday Mode will allow up to 24 weekend events, Either SA SU or MO TU WE TH FR will be displayed above ¡§SEL¡¨, depending on the current day of the week. c. The Weekly Mode will allow up to 48 events, repeated every day of the week. MO TU WE TH FR SA SU will be displayed above ¡§SEL¡¨. 4i. Turn the selector wheel to sequence through these modes. 4j. Press the ON button to set the new operating mode or the TIME button to keep the original operating mode. . NOTE: Changing the Operating Mode will clear all the events currently programmed in the timer. 5 ¡V Set an Initial ON Event Once the time, day and operating mode are set, events can be viewed and programmed. Viewing a DOW¡¦s EventsProgramming an ON Event
And, believe it or not, it goes on and on and on and on like this!
The question is, can you program them w/o having to resort to the instructions?
If you can, you're a genius (did you see the instructions I posted? Theyr'e not intuitive in the least!)
I got one of those maybe 10 years ago, im glad I lost it 10 years ago.
I tossed the electronic timers they are a PIA.
My mechanical ones are very reliable. and dont depend on filament current to operate.
I don't know what filament current is, but mechanical timers, of course, do need motor current. BTW, I gave up on mechanical timers years ago. Even the expensive, wall mounted, wired in units would break down. It was usually the motor/clock gears. I am now using an X10 widget (1132CU) that you program with your computer. It handles power failures well and compensates for sunrise/sunset changes. It does, however, come with its own set of problems, but for the most part, it works.
I was recently looking at swimming pool controlers. One company has one that is supposed to run a pool, spa, waterfalls, lights, conventional heaters, and solar heaters. It has a small LCD display and about 8 buttons, only two of them are marked and those are for temp. No specific button for even turning on the pump. All those functions are done through the LCD display and cryptic buttons like Aux1, Aux2, Menu, etc.
If I was in marketing or product planning and anyone brought me one of those, I'd throw them out of my office. At least with the mechanical wheel type it's obvious how to turn on the pool pump, which is the most basic thing you want to do.
Hmm, Young generation don't have any problem with today's electronic gadgets. I often have to admit I belong to passing generation. Ever watched kids texting plaing with fancy cell phone? When they get new toys, just open the box and they just start using it.
Mine has a Ni-Cad battery backup! Set it, and forget it!
What are you running? A vacuum tube model? Filament?
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