Light Timers

[bwiechman]

I'm looking for a good light timer that has a switch override and also a photocell to turn the light off during daylight hours.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[muddler6]

I used one of the ones that you set to turn on and off with the timer on it. It was much less expensive and worked fine. I got mine at Lowe's or Walmart, that I can't remember for sure, but it was around $5.00.

 

[patandchickens]

What you're looking for probably exists, but it would save you a whole lot of hunting and doubtless a buncha money too if you would be willing to just use a timer period (no photocell). You would just adjust it every month or so as the seasons advance. All the 'plain ole timers' I've ever owned have indeed had a manual override so that aspect should be no problem.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Heather J]

One thing to remember if you use one of those timers with the little colored tabs that turn it on and off: Last year I hooked one up in my coop and in less than a day my chickens had pecked all the tabs out of it.

:cdIf you are going to use one of those (and I think I'm going to invest again this fall) make sure the birds can't get to it.

 

[spottedtail]

bweichman, if you're from MN you can get nice timers from any Menards. Non-photocell type.
Definitely choose the outdoor model!

To really do it right, you'll need two.
If you want timer schedules for our MN latitude, let me know.

spot

 

[LynneP]

I bought a little timer at our hardware store for $10, set it to come on at 4 am and go off around 9 am. Very easy to manage- it plugs into an outlet and the light (LED bar) plugs into it.

 

[Nemo]

You don't need an all-in-one... Just string a couple pieces together.

Get a regular, cheap timer and stick it in a plug. Get a photocell lamp, and wire it to an extension cord that plugs into the timer. That way, the timer will supply power during the scheduled times, but the light will only come on and use the electricity if there isn't enough light to override it.

That's my plan, if I ever get some windows in my coop.