Charging Timer?

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Screwup Proofing is why I use a timer.
Infallible reliability is why I chose the Intermatic mechanical windup timer.

Saving a few dollars which destroys a few thousand fails the wisdom test utterly.

For example when I did battery cycle testing, I chose a 12-volt powered OMRON timer that over-rode the voltage limit switches. Destroying a pallet of L16s was not an option.

The fact that the wind up timers work in commercial restrooms is a testament of their reliability and ruggedness.

Are they accurate? Down to the minute? Hell no. Did I need resolution down to the minute? Hell no.

I just needed an absolutely reliable cutoff without being forced to learn c++ programming language.

Wind up timers used to be a pretty easy item to find, now days they are pretty rare to find in big box stores and are more of a electrical supply specialty warehouse item or Internet item.

Granted, they are reliable but now days reliability and availability are issues.

Does anyone "need" to the minute program ability for a battery charger?

No.

But it is a very nice "feature" on advanced digital timers like the DT206 I linked. Digital timers have come a long way from the first one I had bought which was a real bear to program.. The newer timers have made the programming a breeze and battery backup takes care of power outages for keeping time and program.

I used a DT206 to handle my gardening watering system this yr, worked flawless and because of the minute resolution I was able to keep my small roof top garden watered for one week at a time on less than 30 gallons of water per week..

Battery charging is a lot less demanding application, pretty much any timer that offers a one on/off cycle per day and does not lose the program setting if power goes out will easily suffice.. Time? Who cares if it turns on/off in the middle of the night..