Home Automation - Problem with Intermatic T107-30 Timer

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Problem with Intermatic T107-30 Timer - Running Slow

Spam Catcher

2006-12-16, 1:25 pm

Hi all,

We have an old mechanical Intermatic T107-30 timer which controls our
landscape lighting. In the last few weeks, the timer started acting up - it
is running extremely slow.

Basically for every hour, the timer will only run ~2 minutes.

Is it worth getting this timer repaired? Does anyone know if there is a
simple fix for this issue?

If not, can anyone recommend a timer which will:

1. Control ~1000 - 1500W of lamps
2. Sunset programming AND turn off the lamps at a fixed time (i.e. 3:00am).
3. Multiple programs (turn on at sunset and turn on around 5:00am?).

Since this is for residential use... something cheap + reliable would be
ideal ;-)

Thanks!

Art

2006-12-16, 5:25 pm

I had an old Intermatic mechanical used indoors for controlling a light.
When it started running slow I sprayed the internals with WD40. That was 20
years ago. Still working since but I only use it on vacations.

"Spam Catcher" <spamhoneypot@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Xns989B8F47F5CEEusenethoneypotrogers@127.0.0.1...
> Hi all,
>
> We have an old mechanical Intermatic T107-30 timer which controls our
> landscape lighting. In the last few weeks, the timer started acting up -
> it
> is running extremely slow.
>
> Basically for every hour, the timer will only run ~2 minutes.
>
> Is it worth getting this timer repaired? Does anyone know if there is a
> simple fix for this issue?
>
> If not, can anyone recommend a timer which will:
>
> 1. Control ~1000 - 1500W of lamps
> 2. Sunset programming AND turn off the lamps at a fixed time (i.e.
> 3:00am).
> 3. Multiple programs (turn on at sunset and turn on around 5:00am?).
>
> Since this is for residential use... something cheap + reliable would be
> ideal ;-)
>
> Thanks!

bob kater

2006-12-16, 5:25 pm

how abt a photo cell??
"Art" <begunaNOSPAMPLEASE@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:f1Ygh.228$w91.104@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>I had an old Intermatic mechanical used indoors for controlling a light.
>When it started running slow I sprayed the internals with WD40. That was
>20 years ago. Still working since but I only use it on vacations.
>
>
>
> "Spam Catcher" <spamhoneypot@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns989B8F47F5CEEusenethoneypotrogers@127.0.0.1...
>
>

Richard J Kinch

2006-12-16, 5:25 pm

Spam Catcher writes:

> Is it worth getting this timer repaired? Does anyone know if there is a
> simple fix for this issue?

Typically this is caused by the bearings in the synchronous AC motor
wearing out. Some suppliers stock the replacement motors.

However, if you are running a kilowatt of lighting, you are spending $100s
per year on power controlled by this thing, and it would be worth it to buy
something more precise in timing versus sunset. An hour a day will save
you $50 per year. The Intermatic Web site will help you.

furious.0@hotmail.com

2006-12-16, 5:25 pm

Spam Catcher wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We have an old mechanical Intermatic T107-30 timer which controls our
> landscape lighting. In the last few weeks, the timer started acting up - it
> is running extremely slow.
>
> Basically for every hour, the timer will only run ~2 minutes.
>
> Is it worth getting this timer repaired? Does anyone know if there is a
> simple fix for this issue?
>
> If not, can anyone recommend a timer which will:
>
> 1. Control ~1000 - 1500W of lamps
> 2. Sunset programming AND turn off the lamps at a fixed time (i.e. 3:00am).
> 3. Multiple programs (turn on at sunset and turn on around 5:00am?).
>
> Since this is for residential use... something cheap + reliable would be
> ideal ;-)
>
> Thanks!

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Pop`

2006-12-16, 5:25 pm

bob kater wrote:[color=darkred]
> how abt a photo cell??
> "Art" <begunaNOSPAMPLEASE@mindspring.com> wrote in message
> news:f1Ygh.228$w91.104@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...

WD-40 is often a good way to get those old mechanical timers working again.
Follow it with a coat of some good silicon or other thin lubricant. It
tends to wash out whatever lubricant might have originally been there.

A couple good blasts from an air hose are handy, too.

Pop`

Spam Catcher

2006-12-17, 5:25 pm

Richard J Kinch <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in
news:Xns989B9E0E79FB1someconundrum@216.196.97.131:

> However, if you are running a kilowatt of lighting, you are spending
> $100s per year on power controlled by this thing, and it would be
> worth it to buy something more precise in timing versus sunset. An
> hour a day will save you $50 per year. The Intermatic Web site will
> help you.

Yes, that's what we're thinking too - buying a digital timer with some more
smarts in it.

I did some recalculations, we're probably closer to 600 watts, so a
kilowatt was a bit of an over estimation.

In anycase, thanks everyone for their suggestion, I'll give the good old
WD-40 a try :-)

Spam Catcher

2006-12-17, 5:25 pm

"bob kater" <bkater@nc.rr.com> wrote in news:4584557e$0$4920
$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:

> how abt a photo cell??

Yes, I thought about that too - but I failed to mention the wiring for the
box is located inside our garage. So if I were to use a photocell, I'll
have to rewire.

Also, a photocell will run the lights all night? I sort of want a device
that is smart enough to turn on after dark till some fixed time (i.e.
1:00am), and then turn back on around 6:00am before work till sunrise ;-)

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