Customer Reviews

Aube TI032-3W/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, White

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Note this particular time WILL NOT WORK unless the load is at least 40W- which could be a problem with CCFL bulbs. I ordered the timer, and this warning is prominent on the back of the package, but not clear in the Amazon product description.

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.

This is a high-quality timer, well-designed with all the features you would want. Easy to program, and easy to override the program. But make sure to read the fine print before ordering. There are several similar models, but they differ in wattage requirements and neutral-wiring requirements. You have to dig deep into the product details to discover this.

I have had 4 of these switches installed for over a year now, and they have been simply excellent. They are straightforward to program, and they have worked flawlessly. They also look great.

I bought these insted of the intermatics, which are simply AWFUL units. The Intermatics use mechanical timers, and they burn out all the time (I have many friends who moan about them regularly). These units are MUCH better, being digital. No problems, no complaints. An unconditional recommendation.

This is a very easy to install timer. It installs in a two wire arrangement, where there is a hot wire, and a wire coming from the light fixture, and each one comes to the switch. This is how 99% of the switches are wired in the US, so if you aren't sure which of the timer models, this is the model to buy first.

It will also install on a three-way circuit. Such circuits are common at either end of a hallway, where two switches operate the same light fixture. In that case, there are three wires running to each of the two switches. Note that if you are installing a brand new circuit, you only need one timer, and the second switch need only be an inexpensive single pole switch, the cheapest you can buy, as the second switch just signals this unit to turn the fixture on or off.

As other posters have noted, the minimum wattage is 40 watts. If you have a single fluorescent bulb on the circuit, this timer probably won't work, unless the bulb is 4' long tube. Maximum is 500 watts, and the instructions say it will get very warm at 500 watts, so that may be pushing it.

Once installed, the instructions step you through setting the clock, and then programming the settings. Programming is simple, but note that the programming leaves a little to be desired. The reason is this: each of the 7 settings (one setting includes an on time and an off time) either is used for a single day, or all 7 days. There is no option to set a single program entry for Monday - Friday or Saturday-Sunday. If you want the lights to come on in the early morning, go back off, come back on in the evening and go back off in the late evening, but only M-F and stay off on weekends, you're out of luck. That would require ten program settings (2 for each of the 5 days) and you only get 7.

However, there is a clever way around this if you don't mind the lights being on for 2 minutes twice per day on Saturday and Sunday. What you can do is have it come on in the morning all 7 days and go off in the late morning on program 1. Then have it come on in the evening and go off in the late evening all seven days in program 2. Program 3 comes on one minute after the start of program 1 and then shuts off one minute later, Saturday only. Program 4 does the same thing on Sunday. Program 5 comes on one minute after program 2 and shuts off one minute later on Saturday. Program 6 does the same thing on Sunday. And woo hoo, that does the whole job with one program to spare! Saturday and Sunday will have lights on for two minutes twice per day, but I can live with that. I tested this and it works. So I kept my rating at 5 stars.

Note that the programming of on and off times allows different days for on and off. If you want the light to come on Tuesday morning and off Thursday evening, that only counts as one program. You cannot reverse the order of on and off in a single program.

This is not a countdown timer. You can't press a button and have it go off a set amount of time later.

Programming is protected during power outages by a rechargeable battery that is supplied. The lights will not work nor will the clock display during an outage, but programming is held. Why they didn't just use memory that doesn't erase is beyond me. I didn't see any instructions on replacing the rechargeable battery, so I assume this function will only work for the first 4-5 years until the battery conks out and then it will lose programming at a power outage. The programming is fast and easy - not a big issue.

The plate under the clock can be pressed to turn the fixture on or off while the program is running. At the next program event, on or off, the switch will take over again. There is a setting to suspend operation of the program without losing the programming, so that you can operate it manually and the program will not take back over at the next event.

Instructions are extremely clear.

The clock is not lit, so you can't use the unit as a night light.

The white version I ordered does not exactly match the color of the switchplates you can buy for this product. So be aware it won't look perfect, though it's close enough.

Others have had problems with the competing brand, Intermatic. They say that competing brand doesn't last. Time will tell if this is an improvement. I have half a dozen of the competing brand's timers for years and I haven't had any problems with them.

Nowhere in the description does it say this product is incompatible with CFL, but it's front and center on the package. It is therefore mostly useless to me. I would have liked to have known that before I purchased it. So, thanks for nothing.

My husband installed this to program our front porch lights. It works great so far and does exactly what we need to do...turn on and off at the times set.

It works flawlessly. I installed 3 with no issue. Fitted perfect in the box, wiring was easy and is easy to program. Great for lights coming on/off when you are away or arrive/depart in the dark.

I have some exterior lights that I wanted to put on a timer. Despite having a newer home (2004), there was no provision for neutral wiring. All of the digital timers I found in the local stores required a neutral wire. I was happy to find this timer on Amazon that did not require a neutral line.

I found the installation to be very simple. For me I connected the hot wire to the properly labeled wire on the timer and the wire that goes to the lights to the also appropriately labeled wire. If your wiring isn't color coded (as mine was not) you will want to use a multimeter to determine which wire is hot. There is a third wire coming from this timer that is labeled "common". This is NOT for the neutral line nor is it for a ground. In my installation, this wire was to be twisted with the hot wire. In a situation where you have multiple switches to a single light source, the product will come with a jumper to suite that situation. My existing mechanical switch had a ground connection, but that is not available on this timer so it went unused.

The only complaints I have is that the build quality of the access door and the switches themselves are very low. Fortunately as a timer you should basically set it and not really have to touch it again. If this required constant adjustment I think it wouldn't last. The only other complaint is the lack of a light on the display. You will need another light source in order to be able to see the display to set it. However, again this isn't a task you likely will need to do perhaps more than a few times over the life of the switch.

I knocked one star off the review due to the build quality, but it otherwise works perfectly. Given how hard it is to find a digital timer without a neutral line requirement, and your options are limited if this is your issue. If this is not your issue, I am quite certain you will find other timers with better build quality and features (random security timing, display light, etc.)

Not to be preachy, but please remember to switch the power off at the fuse panel prior to installation!

We have these all over our house and they work wonderfully. The programming is straightforward and flexible.

Just be careful to order the correct unit. This one is for situations where the common wire is not in the box. The other unit can ONLY be used if the common is in the box.