Electrical advise needed, 2 circuit 110v clock timer recommendation...

[Cray Paper]

I'm just a dumb carpenter but have a basic understanding of electricity and installed several 110v 20 amp outlets on the exterior of our home to power up Xmas lights. My last home previously was owned by an electrical engineer and he wired up 2 circuits with relays and a cheap Xmas 110v timer to kick the circuits on and off. I loved the simplicity and cut and dry nature of the set up.

I have used 480v mechanical clock timers for deep well pumps on some of my construction projects with great success and thought why go digital when analog is fool proof. Well, my 4 YO TORQ mechanical clock timer is having issues, it started hanging up on shutting off the circuits in December of last year. It bent the shit out of the aluminum clock face. I took it apart and it reluctantly shut the circuits off last winter but is worse now with the Halloween lights.

All the outlets on the exterior of our home run through the clock timer, I take the clock face off after the Xmas lights come down and use the outlets for lots of things in the spring and summer.

Anyone have a 2 digital circuit clock timer recommendation? I really don't like wireless things, but it would be nice for my wife to be able to adjust things on the fly, but that is not a priority unless it the cost is minimal. I just want something reliable.

 

[dspracing]

Is synchronization and simplicity the only thing keeping you from two timers?

Ar e you adverse to a small electrical project? Seems like replacing with a single timer and two relays to switch the two circuits would be quick and easy.

 

[ka0tyk]

Why not just use these in the outlets and plug whatever you want into them?

BN-LINK Heavy Duty Mechanical 24 Hour Timer Dual Outlet 3-Prong Accurate Indoor for Lamps Fans Christmas Lights White AC 1875W 1/2 HP, UL Listed https://a.co/d/42fea2V

 

[Taboma]

Are you looking for something like the Intermatic DT104 ? It's 2PST 24 hour and digital with battery backup.
Looks like $ 47 on Amazon.

 

[coolchange]

This sounds like it’s right up rrrr’s alley.

 

[SoCalDave]

I run these for outdoor lights. $14 to your door.

https://www.amazon.com/Century-Resistant-Photoelectric-Countdown-Photocell/dp/B07FSYJRFM/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3JV219ZIDLSL8&keywords=outdoor%2Bchristmas%2Blight%2Btimer&qid=1696255905&sprefix=outdoor%2Bchristmas%2Blight%2Btimer%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-7&th=1

 

[joecfd1]

Intermatic 30 Amp 7-Day 2xSPST 2-Circuit Electronic Time Switch ET1725C - The Home Depot

Visit The Home Depot to buy Intermatic 30 Amp 7-Day SPST 2-Circuit Electronic Time Switch ET1725C

www.homedepot.com

 

[Taboma]

Intermatic 30 Amp 7-Day 2xSPST 2-Circuit Electronic Time Switch ET1725C - The Home Depot

Visit The Home Depot to buy Intermatic 30 Amp 7-Day SPST 2-Circuit Electronic Time Switch ET1725C

www.homedepot.com

30Amps a bit overkill for outdoor Xmas lights etc. The DT104 is the 20Amp version and for some reason HD has it at $ 189.00
when Amazon Intermatic has it marked down from reg price of $ 66.82 to $ 47.99 !!! What's up with HD ??????????

 

[rrrr]

This sounds like it’s right up rrrr’s alley.

I don't have "30 years +" of experience putting up Christmas lights, so the OP will just dismiss any suggestions I make.

 

[Orange Juice]

Intermatic Electromechanical Timer, 24 Hour, Dpst T103 | Zoro

Order Intermatic Electromechanical Timer, 24 Hour, Dpst, T103 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

I might have one of these in a box at my house ( 1980 vintage)

40 amp. Run the above-ground pool pump in the summer.

Edit, if it's one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Fosmon-Mechanical-Resistance-Grounded/dp/B07NSHQKHM/ref=asc_df_B07NSHQKHM?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539281984888&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138860229153&th=1

It's only rated for 15 amps. Should be good for a bunch of LEDs, but limited if you run power tools through it, and probably over heat it. Over time, the relays take too much heat, and they go resistive.

 

[Icky]

Can't you just use a smart switch to turn the outlets? Assuming they are wire to a switch.

 

[JDKRXW]

https://www.amazon.com/WYZE-Outdoor-Plug-Monitoring-Compatible/dp/B08NXY7WWX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1BC2L3THOLU2E&keywords=wyze%2Bplug%2Boutdoor%2C%2Bdual%2Boutlets&qid=1696343839&sprefix=wyze%2Bplug%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

Done.

 

[Taboma]

https://www.amazon.com/WYZE-Outdoor-Plug-Monitoring-Compatible/dp/B08NXY7WWX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1BC2L3THOLU2E&keywords=wyze%2Bplug%2Boutdoor%2C%2Bdual%2Boutlets&qid=1696343839&sprefix=wyze%2Bplug%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

Done.

Since the OP hasn't returned to comment on any reader's suggestions, I'm still up in the air if he's asking for a hardwired time clock, as it seems that's what he's describing --- or a plug in style as you and a few others have suggested.
Seems these electrical question threads always leave much to the imagination or discretion of the reader.

Regardless, viewing your recommendation forces me to question just WTF these Chinese engineers (American ) are thinking when they design products.

In the Amazon ad they show several examples of these being used in an outdoor environment, with one common factor.
What I see is, this device plus two additional extension cords hanging off a bent cord (Which will fatigue and eventually fail), only being supported by the three prongs inserted in the outlet. Which very likely will start to fall out with continued day warming and night cooling.

What I also see is, an "In Use" cover, that clearly can't be closed as it's been designed to do.
A rain with any amount of breeze would easily soak the receptacle causing the GFI (Hoping it's protected) to trip, which might also take out your interior bathroom receptacles.

At the very least a 90* plug would provide a more vertical strain, relieve the pressure on the cord bend and allow the cover to be closed as it's intended (The bottom of the cover has a cord knockout which can be removed allowing for the cover to close over the cord).
Ideally there should also be a simply hanger so the outlet supports the weight, not the cord and receptacle contacts.

Not picking on your particular recommendation, they're almost all like that and I have one myself that's similar, except it does have a 90* plug so I can close the cover.
It's just a pet peeve of mine and an example of the crap we're offered, because, well, let's face it, we all shop prices.
If UL approved this device, shame on them.

Thanks, just had to share that, usually it's my poor wife that suffers my frustrations.

 

[Cray Paper]

Thanks for the replies and sorry for the delay in responding. The house that I bought in 2007 is my ex's now, I bought another after the divorce so I'm relaying on my carpenter skills to figure this out.

The clock timer is a mechanical Torq timer that I ran 2 each 110v 20amp circuits to and it powers about 20 exterior outlets. Back before LEDS were prevalent Xmas lights were incandescent and had a much larger draw. When I wired my latest home I knew I was going to use LED's for Xmas but wanted to be able to use the outlets for yard tools, table and chop saws, lights, small compressors etc. without tripping breakers. The mechanical clock timer was the solution and it should have been be dead reliable, but it an internal issue last fall and is bounds up when the early the AM shut off tab tries to trip it off.

I'm not looking for the cheapest solution, just want something I can replace the Torq timer with. Digital would be cool as long as it doesn't require an app and has a large screen. I can figure out how to wire it, that shit isn't hard to comprehend, just want to use the hard wiring and be reliable.

BTW, the cheap timers are not very accurate and limited to outlets. I planned this out, did the homework, and want this to work like clockwork, not staggered on and off times. Just need the right clock timer for the situation.

 

[Cray Paper]

This what I'm trying to replace.

 

[hallett21]

Do you know the load? They make “decora” switches that are digital timers. They’re typically under 1500 watts.

 

[hallett21]

My first google search

Simple Set 15 Amp 120-Volt 24 Hour Indoor In-Wall Digital Programmable Timer - White

 

[Taboma]

This what I'm trying to replace.

Home Depot still sells the Tork 1109A for $ 69.86

 

[DLC]

Smart outlet $18 bucks ties into your Wi-Fi set time on /off or remote

i have a Wi-Fi switch for wall lights come on & off automatic even when the time changes

 

[SoCalDave]

2 weeks?

 

[Cray Paper]

Home Depot still sells the Tork 1109A for $ 69.86

Dam, that's a lot cheaper then it was about 4 years ago.

 

[Cray Paper]

My first google search

Simple Set 15 Amp 120-Volt 24 Hour Indoor In-Wall Digital Programmable Timer - White

I have something similar controlling the front entry lighting and lights on the house for the driveway that is in the house in the main entry. I'm looking for something to control numerous outlets I've added on the exterior of the house for general use and the strategically placed outlets for Xmas lighting. There are two 120v circuits to control with 20 amp breakers on each.

 

[Cray Paper]

30Amps a bit overkill for outdoor Xmas lights etc. The DT104 is the 20Amp version and for some reason HD has it at $ 189.00
when Amazon Intermatic has it marked down from reg price of $ 66.82 to $ 47.99 !!! What's up with HD ??????????

View attachment 1284739

Sorry Taboma, I missed your post, you seem to grasp what I'm after. I was ready to pull the trigger on this one from HD last night as it seemed to be what I was looking for but didn't. Thank you, going to save more than a hundred for gas money!