Features:

  • Controls LED and CFL lights
  • 24-hour or 7-day digital timer with up to 20 ON/OFF events
  • Astronomic feature, random feature, auto daylight saving time adjustment
  • No neutral wire - perfect for retrofits and remodel projects
  • For single and 3-way applications
AFTER USING AN ASTRONOMIC TIMER, YOU WON'T USE ANYTHING ELSE

As an electrical professional, I have installed this Intermatic, ST01K ,Astronomic Digital timer in numerous locations. They are fantastic. The fact that they turn off and on with the sunrise and sunset times instead of at set times of day, is a great convenience. One has to repeatedly reset typical light timers or they will soon find their lights going off and on at the wrong time. This one you can set and forget. It will reset itself to the current sunrise and sunset time automatically. One can also manually turn their lights off and on with this timer by simply pushing on the center of the timer cover. This manual off and on feature does not interfere with the programmed timer settings. I also prefer this timer to photo cell lights because they are less problematic. Photocells will often turn your lights on when it is only overcast outside. Photocells also have problems with the lenses getting dirty and other nuisance factors. This timer is a quick transition/ replacement for any typical light switch. It will work on either a single switch or a three way setup. The install instructions are simple and straight forward. The initial setup of the digital timer can be a bit confusing but once you go through it with the instructions in hand, it is not that complicated. After using many of these, I would offer a few suggestions: First, if you plan to use this in an outdoor setting, be sure that it is installed in a rain proof receptacle box with a rain proof enclosure/cover. I have found it to work well, even in cold conditions, but it will not tolerate getting wet. Second, be sure not to confuse this model number with another similar model that is also made by Intermatic. This "ST01K" model offers a complete shutoff, just like a light switch. For that reason it can be used with compact florescent lights, etc. The other, often less expensive models, simply dim the light until one can no longer see it. That model cannot be used with all types of light bulbs. The clock in this timer is maintained by a battery. If one has a problem with this timer not working properly, the first thing to check is the battery. I have usually had the battery last for a few years without needing to be replaced. However, I have also installed some where the included battery was bad right out of the package. The battery is simple to replace from the front of the unit. One does not have to remove the timer from the electrical box housing to do so. Don't hesitate, these timers are great. I hope this is Helpful, DB Leesburg, Florida

Easy to setup, but a VERY tight fit

Some tips ... 1) insert the battery before doing anything else, there's a video on how to open the battery door at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frnz6x9ULE4. 2) Setup the programming BEFORE you mount this on the wall, it is now powered by the battery. For dusk to dawn every day of the week, follow these instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCUtMHI7Lnc could not be easier (well, yes it could, but this isn't hard). When doing the initial RESET, be sure to follow the instructions and keep pressing the ON/OFF button for 3 seconds after you release the RESET button... it's easy to miss that step. The hardest part of this was getting the unit flush with the wall, because with all the wires and wire nuts there's no room for the unit in the box. So, I removed the wire nuts from the RED and GREEN wires (which were not needed for single pole installation), I clipped the exposed wire ends and applied shrink tubing around the ends to keep the wires from making any contact. Even with this mod the unit was almost impossible to get into the box. I don't know how this compares to other units, but a good thing about this one is that it does not require a neutral connection or a ground connection; if it did, it would not have fit due to the additional wire nuts that would have been required.

No Neutral Wire? Grab This Timer

Since I have an older home with no neutral wire, I was pretty limited as far as timer switch options. This Intermatic seemed to be my best bet. Installation was pretty straight-forward. Programming could've been easier, but if you follow the instructions you'll get it. The astronomic stuff was a bit iffy for me- the shut off was just about right, but the automatic turn on time was a bit off for my taste (it's already super dark when it would turn on.) So I ended up creating my own programs for turn on/off. The battery tray is a little funky- I couldn't quite figure out how to open it at first and thought I was going to break it. Hopefully the battery lasts for a while so I'm not messing with that too often. All in all, it's a solid device and I'd definitely recommend it if you need a timer and have an older home/no neutral wire.

Nice Switch, No Neutral Req'd, Fits in Standard 2 Gang Box

I bought this timer to control a porch light. Here are my few things of note: 1.) It doesn't need a neutral wire for installation. Because of this, it does need a battery to power the internal processor but the battery is supposed to last two years and the batteries are easily found and cheap. 2.) It is astronomic and automatically knows when dawn and dusk is. You can operate it manually but I'm using it to power a porch light with two 8w LED bulbs so the dawn/dusk "set and forget" is best for me. 3.) The installation is easy IF you are comfortable working around electricity. If you are NOT comfortable, call an electrician. House line power is enough to seriously injure or kill. Working around electricity isn't like messing with a caulk gun. I turned off power at the service panel, used a non-contact tester to double-triple-check no power was present in the box, then went about attaching the wires using the included diagram. It does fit into a standard 4" square box with another switch. If you have to pigtail, it will be tight. 4.) Make sure you follow the instructions for setting the device exactly. The screen is very small and the buttons on the control panel need to be pressed exactly and in a timely fashion. All told I would buy this again but there are many more options available to you if you have a neutral wire available. it's worth it to not have to constantly be turning on and off the porch light.

Bullet proof - simple - reliable - Great design from a great company

Works great with all kinds of lightbulbs – I tried a couple of others and did not have good results with my LED lightbulbs. Intermatic is the original best mechanical timer – this heritage of using a mechanical type off/on (this switch “clicks” when the internal control goes from on to off) is the reason this timer works with all kinds of bulbs. Unlike some electronic timers – when the Intermatic switches to off the circuit is totally dead. Plus does not need a neutral wire – many older homes like mine do not have a neutral at the switch wiring - so can be used for almost any application. Switches which require a neutral do so because they are using some of the power to operate to switch program - instead this uses an internal lithium battery. The astronomic feature is terrific - it adjusts the dusk and dawn time based on your generic location. Programming is easy – watch the company YouTube. You can program each day or program for “all” days. Then it is just a matter of setting event 1 - which is when you want the switch to turn on - event 2 is when you want thw switch to turn off. In my case I chose on at dusk and off at dawn for some outside lights. Scrolling through the menu is just a matter of hitting the on/off switch . Some revieww comment about the battery – this is a good feature because the battery maintains the programming – if the power goes off the switch still has the programming. The battery is a great advantage and part of the design because this timer switch makes the circuit absolutely dead and does not use the house power to keep the switch programming. I have not had the switch long enough to have a battery go out – the lithium battery should last several years and another great feature is that when the battery is getting weak the switch gives you a low battery warning. Battery replacement is simple from the front cover without removing the switch on the wall. When you do change the battery you do not lose the programming because it has internal memory for a few minutes without a battery installed Another great part of the design is that pressing the cover changes the switch from automatic to manual to random. So you do not have to flip the cover open to get at the small program buttons to make a simple and more frequent choice – for example when I’m gone I click it to random for a couple of rooms - The timer then varies the preset times - For example rather than going on at 9 o’clock it might not turn on until 915 and instead of going off at the set time of 1100 - It might switch off at 10:45 - so it has more of a somebody is home look. The switches are simple you set it and forget it – the wireless/hub type switches are usually a problem for older homes which just have the hot wire and load wire at the switchbox without a neutral and/or ground . Plus when it comes to appropriate technology – I really don’t want to get on my phone and go through an app and play around with lights all the time LOL. I now have four of these in my home - hope they are like my last Intermatic mechanical timer switch - It worked every day for 40 years - This is a brand which I trust. So I totally recommend these timer switches.

Perfect for these dark winter days.

I leave for work in the dark, and arrive home in the dark. I hated leaving my lights on all day, and this programmable switch has just been great. It's only been a few weeks, so not able to determine longevity yet. Programming instructions were a little difficult to follow, so I found an excellent video on YouTube with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. So far I am pleased with this product. I will say the customer care folks also were responsive and quick to resolve a minor issue (the original battery was nearly dead and I wasn't able to program the device initially). Issue was quickly resolved, and now I have nice lighting for leaving and arriving.

Does What It's Supposed To Do

I purchased this ST01K to replace an Intermatic EJ500 timer installed in 2007 that began acting erratically when I switched the outside garage lights to LEDs -- sometimes they would flicker or they would fail to either turn on or turn off. Turns out the EJ500 is intended for incandescent bulbs only and not LEDs. This model cures that. I first followed the written installation instructions but I had some difficulty with them, getting off stride with one too many or one too few On/Off presses during the programming step (see my "Final Note," below). The instructions were also silent on a few items, like the device supports an Auto Random function (in addition to an Auto function) to slightly vary the on and off times for a "lived in" look, but I couldn't find any mention of it. Because the ST01K is battery-operated, it's possible to program the device completely before installing it in a switch box. That's much easier than doing it after installing it, as the keys are small (by necessity) and the narrow readability range of the LCD display means you have to bend over at the waist or sit on a stool to make the characters legible while you're programming it. All while holding and reading a wrinkly page of closely spaced instructions written in small type. Far easier to do at the kitchen table than at the wall switch. My only other difficulty came with recognizing when the switch was on or off (and at the kitchen table there was no light hooked up to tell me it's on or off). The EJ500 had the words "ON" and "OFF" lit on the display for each condition. Not the ST01K. It's got an icon of a light bulb in the upper left corner of the display, whose content is either clear or black. But there's no mention of it in the instructions or the meaning of the clear/black conditions. I guess they figured it's intuitive, but they didn't count on my lack of intuition. A few presses on the On/Off button and a welcoming click from the device and a change in the condition of the icon confirmed the bulb icon indicates the switch is on or off. Fine, but which is it? It took this dummy a while to conclude that when the bulb has a clear center, the switch is on, and when the center is black, it's off (I guess black is "dark" and that means no light. Duh.). A single sentence in the instruction would have avoided my confusion. Other than that, the electrical hook-up in the switch box is straight-forward and shouldn't cause much difficulty. It's installed and working fine and I can go back to ignoring the garage lights. Final Note: You can ignore the written instruction sheet and instead go to "YouTube.com" on the internet and watch an Intermatic employee go through the complete step-by-step programming sequence. At YouTube.com, search for "ST01K Astronomic" to find and play the video. Simple once you see it done. He proceeds slowly enough that you can follow along at the kitchen table programming your device as he programs his. Smart thinking at Intermatic and they get my applause for providing the video.

Much better than mechanical one it replaced

I use this for a small pool pump. The old mechanical timer I had was such a pain to use and could only be set in 15 min increments. It also would be off time in power outages. This one is much better and keeps time when we lose power. I also love the easy on/off feature this has - you just push the part under the LCD in for on/off. The LCD is small and hard to read in certain light conditions, but once it's setup, you never really have to mess with it again.

I was super happy to find this timer

I was super happy to find this timer, and it wasn't easy. I needed a timer switch to control my outside lights and I couldn't use dawn to dusk because they are in the shade and end up being on too much. The problem was that most such timers require a neutral wire for installation. I didn't have (or couldn't find) such a wire and I was not about to call an electrician. Well, this switch needs no such neutral wire, it's easy to install, easy to program and easy to use. It works exactly as needed and I no longer have to mind my outdoor lights, I come home to a well lit house and I have one less security issue on my mind. Good price too.

ASTRONOMIC FEATURE- AUTOMATIC DST- ST PROGRAMMING

I WAS SCEPTIKAL ABOUT USING THIS TO REPLACE A WALL MOUNTED INTERMATIC GRAY TIMECLOCK BUT I GOT TIRED OF ADJUSTING TIMECLOCK'S ON -OFF TRIPPERS AS DAYS LENGTHENED OR SHORTENED ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF THIS WAS A WISE INVESTMENT. OTHER PROBLEM LIGHTNING HOPEFULLY WILL NOT BE A FACOR IN THE DEMISE OF AN OTHERWISE GREAT PRODUCT .CAN BE DIFFFICULT TO PROGRAM BUT GREAT CUSTOMER SUPPORT IF NEEDED JUST CALL IF HAVING PROBLEMS

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