Customer Reviews

Aube by Honeywell TI071/U Solar Time Table, Programmable Timer Switch, White

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've actually been pretty lucky with the Interlink SS7C timer switch I was using. I had two of the Interlink SS7C timers located in the house and they both lasted quite over three years which apparently is a lot longer than most folks have had success. However, I had one completely die a few months ago and then had the second one display the typical problems with the "No Op" issue. So, time to replace it!

I researched other Interlink switches and also came across this Aube. The other flush mount Interlink switch that could be an option cannot handle CFL bulbs.

Five huge benefits to the Aube TI071/U vs the Interlink SS7C:

1) It is flush with the wall (the Interlink SS7C sticks out a good inch from the wall)

2) It is quiet turning on and off (the Interlink SS7C is very noisy due to the manual motor it has inside)

3) It is back-lit (the Interlink SS7C is not backlit and has a super small display)

4) It does not require batteries (the Interlink SS7C requires a double-A battery and as you will see in various reviews, it has connection problems and causes the switch to fail often)

5) You can have it auto program based on your latitude and longitude.

I am sure there is a 6th benefit in that it is probably a lot more reliable than the Interlink, but I can't say that currently since I've only had it for a few days.

A 7th benefit (compared to the other Interlink switches) is that this switch can handle any type of light bulb.

Well worth getting this switch and avoiding the Interlink switches.

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Update: 12/28/09

I still love this switch. It has been very reliable -- no problems so far. I also just love the way it looks and operates. I hate ugly looking devices and this one does not disappoint.

I have it set up in "travel" mode and unlike other switches where it will just randomly turn the lights on and off _once_ during a set time period, this switch will randomly turn the lights on and off multiple times during a set time period. This way it is even harder to tell if someone is home. Just realize that if you use this mode and you are in the room during this time period, the light may turn off while you are in the room. ;-)

I use to have several Intermatic solar timers and I really liked then WHEN THEY WORKED, but they were extremely unreliable and had to be trashed.

Pros:
* Looks great
* Easy to install
* Very good design
* No ground wire to hook up
* No minimum wattage required
* Works with fluorescent loads
* Auto-adjustment for daylight savings time (or turn the adjustment off)
* Nice bright blue LED at bottom right of unit lights when circuit is switched on
* No batteries required unlike other timers (like my last Intermatic timer which was junk)
* Good looking backlit LCD display stays constantly lit (can be configured bright, dim, or off)
* Remembers settings and date/time unless there's a 4+ hour power outage then it will forget the date/time (according to manual)
* Can be programmed based on sunrise and sunset based on your own latitude and longitude coordinates - and a optional offset can be specified in 10 minute increments (from -70 to +70 minutes)

Cons:
* Expensive (but worth it)
* Not atomic (doesn't auto set clock) - would be even better if it had this feature!
* Backlighting does not seem even - top left and top right seem darker than the rest of the display

Other:
* Requires neutral (white) wire
* I'm using one as a timer to turn outside fluorescent lights on at sunset and off at sunrise
* I'm using another to turn an outside fluorescent porch light on at sunset+20 minutes and off at 10:30PM

UPDATE 2010-02-09: Working great so far - no problems!

The installation was easy, but YOU HAVE TO HAVE A NEUTRAL WHITE WIRE IN THE SWITCH BOX FOR THIS TIMER TO WORK. I replaced a regular Decora-style on/off switch with Aube by Honeywell TI071/U Solar Programmable Timer Switch, White in about 15 minutes including programming and testing.

The unit's design is beautiful with a large backlit LCD. Programming is easy and intuitive. Note: If you are used to Intermatic timers, the programming for Aube is different. Intermatics have On and Off split into two separate programs, but Aube has On and Off in the same program - I prefer Aube's approach.

TI071 has options that can be customized:
* Mode: Automatic, Manual, Random.
* Program: On at dusk, Off at Dawn, or On at specific time, Off at specific time, or a combination.
* Intensity of backlight: Hi, Lo, Off
* Automatic adjustment for the Daylight Savings time
* Automatic adjustment for the longer/shorter day throughout the year

It also has a built-in backup, so when we had a power outage, it did not lose the programming.

The timer works as most people have already discussed in their reviews, and is great because no other timer I have found will control compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL's).

A distinction that should be clarified between this model (TI071) and the similar TI070 is that the TI070 model must have a load OVER 40 watts in order to function. However, this TI071 model can handle loads less than 40 watts, but, this model requires a neutral wire to be present, which the TI070 model does NOT.

So, to summarize:

TI070 model: Needs a load of at least 40 watts, does NOT need a neutral wire connection
TI071 model: Can handle a smaller load below 40 watts, DOES need a neutral wire connection

Hope this is helpful!

The Aube TI071 totally rocks. Here's my situation:
When I purchased my house 18 months ago, it came with a piece-of-garbage timer switch to turn on the lights flanking my garage door. That hunk of junk was nearly impossible to set, and seemed to reset itself if I looked at it the wrong way, or breathed on it too hard. It finally gave out, which gave me a good reason to upgrade.

I'm very happy with the Aube TI071 -- it was a breeze to install, and super easy to program. I'm using the nearly-automatic solar time table mode: you set the current date and time, along with your longitude and latitude, and the switch automatically turns "on" at sunset and "off" at dawn. So far, this is working just great. And I can "override" the program to turn my lights on and off independently. There are a number of other modes that allow you to set specific on/off times, too. But so far, the automatic mode is working just great. The back-lit panel is nice, too.

I purchased this model specifically because it works with compact florescent lights. I'm using 13W (60-watt equivalent) CFLs for my exterior garage lights, with no problems. Some timer switches limit you to a minimum of 40W total load, so if you want to run CFLs, be sure to check the specs.

As far as I know, there is nothing even close to this on the market.

I have had a few of these for many years. None have ever failed. Setup is straightforward and programming is reasonable.

Having the lights automatically adjust for sunrise/sunset is great. If we leave the house at 4pm and come back at 9pm, the front lights are on.

There is a little bug in the programming (TI034). It screws up if it is programmed to turn on before midnight and turn off after midnight. I forget now how it screws up, because I changed mine to turn off just before midnight. I think it just stayed on.

I would like more flexible programming, but that usually comes with complexity. There isn't much space there for a display.

1. Be able to set an offset (sunset +/- nn minutes).

2. A random feature where it would vary the actual on/off times by +/- nn minutes. This is a minor point, because it already vary some because of changing sunset/sunrise times.

3. Automatic adjustment for daylight savings. That may be a problem, because they could change the cutover date, so maybe it's better as it is.
This also allows me to synch the clock twice a year. The timer does not keep perfect time, which is surprising. I would think it could use the 60 Hz from the grid to stay perfectly in time. Maybe an upgraded model could include a received for the time signal from Colorado? :-)

This is one of my favorite gadgets. It used to be very hard to find. I am glad that Amazon is now carrying it. I often give them away as gifts.

07/30/10 Update: Aube makes quite a few models. It took me awhile to figure out the differences and I bought one wrong model. Some of them are designed for more heavy-duty work and controlling motors (033 & 035). I see that they now have a few new models with more programming options and higher wattage ratings. Most of mine are the 034. These are fine for porch lights. Our front porch light is also wired in with the front outside plug so it can control external Christmas lights. The 500 watt max for the 034 is limiting. I may get the new 071 or 072 to replace that one.

Here's a summary of the model from the Aube website (aubetech dot com). Please excuse the (. . .). That's the only way I could find to make a table.

. . Model . . . . . . . . . . . Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Programs
. TI032-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 7 manual
. TI032-3W-5 . .500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 7 manual
. TI034-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . Sunset/sunrise
. TI070-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 7 manual + Sunset/sunrise
. TI073-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 21 manual + Sunset/sunrise
. TI033 . . . . . . 2400 W max., 1 HP @ 120 V . . . . 7 manual
. TI035 . . . . . . 2400 W max., 1 HP @ 120 V . . . . Sunset/sunrise
. TI071 . . . . . . 1800 W @ 120 V, 0 W minimum . . 7 manual + Sunset/sunrise
. TI072-3W . . . 1800 W @ 120 V, 0 W minimum . . 21 manual + Sunset/sunrise

The 3W means 3-way. The -5 is almond color.

Great programmable timer, works exactly as described and easy to install. Looks much nicer than other products, and very easy to use/configure with the display. Looks more high-tech and never needs to replace a battery. Does require a neutral wire (3 total) to be available for install. Even provides a night light from LED screen (if set to high). Very nice, highly recommend it.

This is a great product! I have installed many in my days, and for a timer as powerful as this (both daily time sequences and astronomical timing), it is amazingly easy to program. It is also great looking, set and forget (handles typical timing tasks like on at sunset, off at 2AM, while managing daylight savings time) and doesn't have batteries to maintain (internally keeps time in a power outage for up to 5 hours). It is also virtually silent (unlike many of the relay models) and works with just about any load with no minimum wattage.

I love it! I have installed and programmed 10 of these so far, and am amazed how easy they are to set up.

I am apprehensive about working with electrical wiring, but this was a quick and easy job. The light switch for the front porch and exterior garage lights was in a 3-gang box. Turned the power breaker off, pulled the switch out of the box still connected to the wires; turned the breaker back on; used a simple electrical tester to verify which wire showed power when the switch was turned on; turned the breaker off; connected the TI071 blue wire to the black wire going to the lights; connected the TI071 white wire to the white wires in the box that were all twisted together; connected the TI071 black wire to the black wires in the box that were twisted together. Programming the TI071 took a few minutes but worked first time: on at dusk; off at 11:00 pm; on at 4:00am and off at sunrise. Nice looking product that works!!

This timer is so easy to install and program. I've used a variety of differnt timers over the years and this one is the easiest to program. It also has the backlight that you can leave on at hi or low level or turn off completely. It's a nice feature so you can see the time when you're heading out the door. It also makes for a cool night light. The warranty on this product is 3 years, which should be enough time to determine whether or not the backlight can withstand being on high all the time. I'm not an electrician, so I'm not sure about the lack of a ground wire, but since this is a Honeywell product I'll rely on their wisdom. I love the fact that there is no battery to change for the power outage backup. Per the instructions, if power is out for less than 4 hours, all settings are saved. If out for more than 4 hours, everything is save except for the current time. Not bad.