Intermatic EJ500C Flush Mount Programmable 24 Hour Timer

Customer Reviews

I love this product

2008-01-14
The installation instructions were easy to understand, and went smoothly and quickly. This product controls my front porch light in a way I've wanted and needed to for years, and works perfectly.

Hours, yes hours to program...

2008-01-12
This is a real piece of junk. First, I spent several hours attempting to program it. One of the difficulties is the LCD screen is damn near impossible to read particularly if the timer is in the wall at light switch level. Then, you'll need to bend over and have a bright light source. Second,the programming buttons are so small I had to use a stylus. Finally, if there was an easy way to override the program in an emergency, I didn't find it mentioned in the instructions.

genius product...

2008-01-07
Needed a timer for an outside light that comes on for 12 hrs at a time. This is the perfect product for that purpose. Tried using a light sensor on the light, but it doesn't work that well. This is pretty good product so far, a little hard to fit in old wiring boxes but it eventually fits and haven't let me down yet.

programable timer

2007-12-31
I still haven't gotten this product figured out even with the instructions. The key pad to enter the program is VERY small and hard to see. Went through the complete instruction list and the light still needs to be turned on manually. So much for being able to program to turn on while we are away, which is what I wanted it for.

Timer Review

2007-12-31
Easy to program (don't loose the instructions!!) and works great. I like the feature of automatically adjusting to shortening and lengthening days.

It simply doesn't work

2008-06-27
Way overcomplicated which one could deal with but the difficult-to-set Astro setting supposed to calculate sunup and sunset simply doesn't work.

Not perfect

2008-02-18
The instructions were a bit difficult. It takes a larger than normal receptacle. I haven't had it long enough to say if I'm sold but so far so good.

Excellent timer

2008-02-08
I purchased two of these timers, they are easy to install and program, plus they were a great price. They are great for having outside lights come on automatically including holidays lights during December. Changing a program is very simple, you can have the same light(s) go on & off several times during a 24 hour period. Having purchased some from the local hardware chain which never worked great, these are a dream.

Hint/Warning for fluorescnet applications

2008-01-26
The way this (and the GE model I've used) work, they will NOT operate in a strictly fluorescent application. If however, you're turning on a light that has two bulbs, or has a whole row of bulbs (porch), you can use this. For a single fixture with two bulbs, the mix of fluorescent and incandescent is handy since one puts out lots of light if you turn it on in the dark, as we might do very late at night after the timer has shut it off. The key however is, you must have one incandescent bulb in the circuit. The reason is rather ingenious. They "trickle" electricity thru the incandescent bulb to complete the circuit that runs the timer. Since some switches and 3-ways don't even have the other leg available at the switch, this is slick.

The form factor on this one (industrial design) is way better than the GE one. We run ours for a few hours in the evening, one in the morning, and it works great for us.

Good product, inadequate description

2008-01-20
My husband installed this on our garage lights and I love it. One thing that is not mentioned in the description is that it is not recommended for use with fluorescent bulbs. Since we are trying to reduce energy consumption and using fluorescents throught out the home I am not happy about that. So far no real problems, but it says it can damage the switch so I am probably going to switch to using regular bulbs for the gagarge lights. So if you are using fluorescents don't buy this switch. Otherwise its great!