(Part 2) Best plug-in timers according to redditors

A $10 digital light timer would do the trick...

iPower 7 Day Programmable Digital Electric Timer, Dual Outlet, Grounded https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FX6Q8D4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8uk6Ab0BA20NA

I'm also not aware of programmable individual solar-powered lights.

I have a decent-sized solar system on my coop, and 12V LED lights for coop lighting. I have 200W of panels and 100 Ah of battery storage, because I also have a automatic coop door, a solar heater, and eventually an electric fence energizer. That said, I have a 24x24 building and 100 hens, which I will be fencing into 160x160 paddocks come spring.

I don't have a timer yet, but I could get a 12V timer if I thought I needed one. They are $12 on Amazon. I turn on the lights when I go out there in the dark and turn them off when I leave the coop.

Is your coop somewhere where you could run AC power? I didn't have that option, which is why I invested so much in 12V and solar.

Christmas light timer. Just set the time to +8 hrs or more. Some have infinite time setting.

https://www.amazon.com/Century-Outdoor-Photocell-Weatherproof-Grounded/dp/B01MAWA81Q/ref=zg_bs_6291363011_9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3RQ1DR5APRE6PYAMB5VB

​

OR

This one would work with your drawing. You would need to gang the junction box and use a coax / outlet cover plate

https://www.amazon.com/Woods-59408WD-Outdoor-Hard-Wired-Photocell/dp/B003Z4ECKC?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

​

https://www.amazon.com/RiteAV-Power-Outlet-F-Type-Decora/dp/B00I14X66W/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=double+gang+cover+plate+coaxial+and+outlet&qid=1563385905&s=gateway&sr=8-7

• No sand in the tank, or any other loose substrate. Use tile, reptile mats, rubber shower mats, or even newspaper.
  
• No red heat lamps.
  
• No heat lamps at night (they like it dark to sleep). We use a day/night timer so he has light during the day (12-14 hours) and his heat disk at night. https://www.amazon.com/Zilla-Reptile-Habitat-Lighting-Terrarium/dp/B000Y1DSQS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1474419482&sr=8-4&keywords=reptile+timer
  
• No coiled UVB bulbs (use a Reptisun 10.0 tube bulb). Change the bulb every 6 months because they wear out. If you have a screen on the top of the tank, the bulb needs to go inside the tank, under the screen.
  
• No bugs from the yard (they're full of parasites)
  
• Don't feed anything bigger than the space between his eyes. Until they reach adulthood they have a crooked intestinal tract and big bugs will cause them to get impacted, which can be really bad or even fatal.
  
• When checking temps you want the surface temp, not the air temp. Young ones like 105 - 110 degrees where they bask. Get a cheap infrared thermometer to check the temps in your tank. If he does the thing where he looks like he's smiling with his mouth open, it means you've got it right. https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474419339&sr=8-3&keywords=infrared+thermometer
  
• Make sure you read up on calcium and vitamins. You want calcium without D3 in it, and vitamins with D3.

I mean something like this :)

Couldn't you use a normal time-dependent timer between the inkbird and your kegerator? That way your kegerator will only kick on during the times you tell it to.

Edit: Not that easy. Power needs to be supplied 24/7.

Double Edit: They make ones with a battery back up.

This is basically what I use...

The basics:

• Tote for your res
  
  
• Digital timer
  
  
• Pump
  
  
• Manifold (has an assortment of flow rate inserts so you can set it up how you want)
  
  
• fitting to attach hose from pump to manifold
  
  
• pump-to-manifold tubing
  
  
• Drip tubing
  
  Extras, that make things nice and easy:
  
  
• FloraFlex cap for even distribution through the medium
  
  
• Floraflex clips to hold the drip lines in place
  
  
  If you feed drain-to-waste, you'll want to come up with some way to collect runoff. Maybe something like THIS small HD tote, with a few holes drilled through the top. Just set your plant on top and it will collect all your runoff.

Many slow cooking recipes have two options of how you can cook the recipe: a longer cooking time on low heat, or a shorter cooking time on high heat. From what I've seen, it's often something like 3-5 hours on high or 8 hours on low.



You can still use the slow cooker function if you're gone along period of time using one of those programmable timer. There exist analog ones or digital ones.


I've only ever used the analog ones and they were fine. Basically, if you've never seen one of these before, you plug in whatever electronic device you want into it, and you program the timer to shut off electricity to the device at a certain time. This is basically the same sort of thing people use to make their TVs or lights turn on at certain times of day as a sort of burglar deterrent when they're away on vacation. I used one of these timers to to turn on the lights in the morning half an hour before I woke up - like a super cheap, DIY gradual wake-up sun lamp.

Anyway, the way you can use this with your Aroma cooker is: if you leave at 9am for 8 hours, and you only want your Aroma cooker to cook for 3 hours, you plus the Aroma cooker into that timer, let it start cooking on high, set the timer to turn off at 12. It'll then only cook for 3 hours.

On certain devices like lamps, TVs, and simple coffee machines, you may also be able to use the timer to get the device to turn on at a specified time. I'm not sure what your Aroma cooker is like - if it's something where you can flip a switch even when the device is unplugged to have it start slow cooking, where it's just waiting for a power source in order to start cooking, then you can use the timer to program it to start cooking after a certain time past, say, 9am in our example. That way, you wont have to worry about the food getting too cold for recipes that have a shorter cooking time. Hope this makes sense. Feel free to ask for clarification.

Basically, you need a tank, a regulator some airline, a bubble checker would be good to have and a diffuser. Also, you'd like a timer of some sort as you really do not need to have co2 running 24/7 nor would you probably want to.

My setup:

• 24oz Paintball co2 tank: $30 at paintball shop filled with co2.
  $23 dollars on Amazon - though I would have still needed to get it filled at paintball shop for $5 which brings it $28. $2 more - i think it's better at that to support the local shop and plus I didn't want to wait for the tank to come to my house as that would have arrived later than anything else.
  
  
• Adapater to utilize paintball co2 tank - $9 on Amazon
  
  
• Bubble Counter - $10 on Amazon I know the regulator has a bubble counter, however with the paintball tank it would not work as it'll be horizontal instead of vertical - you can choose cheaper ones. I just liked this $10 one. Btw a bubble counter will show you how much co2 you're adding or at least how fast as not every bubble counter counts it at the same pace but a good gauge to see how much you are adding - ie. you really cannot ask how many bubbles per second you should be running. the 1-2 bps that I run might be different on your bubble counter)
  
  
• CO2 Regulator - $60 on Amazon
  
  Price for this setup: $109
  
  If you need a timer, there's plenty of options. I already had one, but you can find them on Amazon.
  
  
• I was able to get this one as an add-on for $3.54 for something else though now it's $14.50 :/ and ironically I switched to a smart switch idea for my build anyways.
  
  
• Got this smart switch to control my autodoser and some other things -if it works it's a good $20 spent.
  
  Though in the end, you would need a timer and if you already have one then you won't have to buy one. Or if you have extra smart switches either that you can set a schedule on.
  
  Other tanks:
  
  Instead of the paintball tank you can get a regular co2 tank:
  
  
• 5lb from Amazon - $62 + ~$20 to fill at an air place It would have brought my setup to $141 if I went that route. It might be $50 more than the paintball tank, but it only increases price by $40 because you don't need the adapter nor the bubble counter. Pros: It could be cheaper. 24oz paintball is $5 to fill(in most places) a 5lb which is ~80oz can be anywhere from $10-$20. If it's on the lower end of that range where you live it's cheaper. Other pro is that less often you need to fill it. Negative: Larger and harder to hide. It won't fit in my setup or how I have my tank setup.
  
  Of course, that's just buying the stuff to build the system.
  
  You can watch videos about it on Youtube like Aquarium Co-Op's Co2 guide but I can still try to break it down.
  
  Get tank and properly secure it to the regulator.(I'd recommend watching a video on that as the regulator does need to be open for this part apparently). If using the paintball tank, secure the adapter to regulator first. DO NOT secure it on the paintball tank first. If you do it with the way the adapter is built, I'm guessing you'd be losing a bit of co2. Though, I haven't tried it, I'm logically thinking that it ain't good. If you use a 5lb tank or larger, there's something about some disc or gasket or something that is supposed to help keep it from leaking. I'm going to refer you to youtube on that one. I didn't use any on my paintball setup except for the gasket already on the tank. I did use some plumbers tape on the adapter to regulator though. I'm just hoping I don't have a leak and I'd be pretty confident to assume that I don't as I still have CO2 in my tank after a couple of weeks.
  
  All you need to do now is to attach the airline hose(some people will say to use co2-proof hose to prevent co2 loss, but I decided to skip that and you can decide what you wish to do as I might be right or wrong on that part along with other people who claim airline tube is sufficient) to the regulator. So after you attach the hose to the regulator, attach the bubble counter somewhere along the line before the aquarium(I think I did that right). Of course, if you use the 5lb or larger tank, you should be able to use the bubble counter that came with the regulator as it would stand vertical. The line eventually gets connected to a co2 diffuser which will break up the co2 into smaller bubbles to easily be dissolved better into your water. Of course, there are other ways to get the co2 into your tank, but this is the way I do it. Youtube can show you other ways, or other redditors for that matter. One thing to note is that you should also have a check valve to prevent water from going from the aquarium to your system. It should most likely be closer to the water than the co2 system. The bubble counter I use, also has a check valve for whatever that one is worth. Some diffusers come with bubble counters and check valves as well. Speaking of diffusers, i forgot to add that to my price. but that can run anywhere from $5 on up. Also the diffuser might have to be cleaned due to algae once and awhile.
  
  The system should be ran using a timer to coincide with your light cycle and should run basically when the lights are on. I turn my co2 on 1 hour before the lights turn on and turn it off 2 hours before the light turn off. Hypothetically, you can run it 24/7 however it's better not to as the risks are a bit too much for putting something in your tank that is not being used as the plants typically don't use co2 with the lights out and you can risk running into a situation where you deplete the oxygen in your fish.
  
  Overall, I think it's worth it at least for me. But also be cautious that adding too much co2 might be detrimental to your fish. If you are running it and your fish are all gasping for air, you definitely are putting too much in but you should never get it that far which some way to check it would be a good purchase for this. I just use the method of figuring out the ppm of CO2 based on pH and KH. I'm not sure how accurate it might be but it has been stable and my fish are doing fine as well as my plants and the algae is at bay. There's also what's called a CO2 drop checker that you can purchase to measure this.
  
  If you really want to get into this, I'd recommend researching it further yourself and maybe wait on some other more "experienced" redditors to answer as I might and could be wrong on some things. I know I've read some people don't think the ph/kh calculation method is good and to buy a drop checker, but I'm pretty confident in using it for my tank but I might be undosing the co2 for all I know. Though on the flipside, I could be overdosing, though my fish are not showing any signs of symptoms of said overdosing. But I could be wrong on that. If I am, please let me know. :) Definitely do your own research, like you should on anything. :) At least, get a good footing and confirmation from other sources.

If you do amazon, just look up light timers. Usually, they are just plugins that you plug the light into. You might be able to find them cheaper at some of the bigger box stores. I saw an add that you can plug in a light timer and then control it with your phone, but you definitely probably wouldn't need anything high tech. Something like this would definitely work.

I do something similar with a couple of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Capable-Appliance-Indoor-Timer/dp/B004DPIG72/ref=sr_1_2?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1413838643&sr=1-2&keywords=outlets

and something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-Light-Bulb-Fluorescent/dp/B00EZXJ81U/ref=pd_sim_op_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZBGGB992434DDVFWPXP#productDetails

Go buy a 4x4 tent, ideally gorilla but can get cheaper.

https://growershouse.com/gorilla-grow-tent-4-x-4?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o1&scid=scplp6055&sc_intid=6055&gsacid=952890155&keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAw4jvBRCJARIsAHYewPMdnaA3pI_kaqr7hDDtRfQzZ5-nIJ_myYwy_RzlSfPlTYAKJuHyn5MaAotOEALw_wcB#!

Order the light


https://growershouse.com/horticulture-lighting-group-hlg-600w-qb288-v2-r-spec-led-kit?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o2&scid=scplp15744&sc_intid=15744&gsacid=952890155&keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAw4jvBRCJARIsAHYewPMp8yJqTkQMEmC5Db2_3fMT73eIoyEVEXZMPbEIJIB_wpvPAEW537saAsyFEALw_wcB

Inline fan


AC Infinity CLOUDLINE T6, Quiet 6" Inline Duct Fan with Temperature Humidity Controller - Ventilation Exhaust Fan for Heating Cooling Booster, Grow Tents, Hydroponics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XBXFPD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LMT4Db95YN9QZ

Carbon filter


VIVOSUN 6 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control with Australia Virgin Charcoal for Inline Fan, Grow Tent Odor Scrubber, Pre-Filter Included, Reversible Flange 6"x 18" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01731MLFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HNT4Db23PB3M8

Flex duct

VIVOSUN 6 Inch 25 Feet Non-Insulated Flex Air Aluminum Ducting for HVAC Ventilation w/Two 6 Inch Stainless Steel Clamps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010UCCMW6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yPT4DbNQFABKE

Fan


SPT Wall Mount 16" Fan with Remote Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071Y8CN45/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oQT4DbV2ANXJG

Temp/hygrometer

AcuRite 00613 Indoor Thermometer & Hygrometer with Humidity Gauge, 3" H x 2.5" W x 1.3" D https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013BKDO8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xRT4Db8N3X0K6

Rope hanger

iPower GLROPEX2 2-Pair 1/8 Inch 8-Feet Long Heavy Duty Adjustable Rope Clip Hanger (150lbs Weight Capacity) Reinforced Metal, 2 Pack, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WIOEDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iST4DbF0EQJAK

Light timer

BN-LINK 7 Day Outdoor Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer BND/U78, 125VAC, 60Hz, Dual Outlet, Weatherproof, Heavy Duty, Accurate For Lamps Ponds Christmas Lights 1875W 1/2HP ETL Listed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9RK4VV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wWT4Db5Q74NPA

PH meter

Digital PH Meter, PH Meter 0.01 PH High Accuracy Water Quality Tester with 0-14 PH Measurement Range for Household Drinking, Pool and Aquarium Water PH Tester Design with ATC (2020-Yellow) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08197LX6H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TXT4DbZ8TF1W

Tower of Power

Hydrofarm TMTOP6 Tower of Power https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001WAL58I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_f1T4Db88GD2GE

Loupe

VIVOSUN 30X 60X Illuminated Jewelers Loupe Foldable Magnifier with LED Light for Jewelry Gems Watches Coins Stamps Antiques Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VK1LVKX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_62T4DbR2KDDY4

Measuring cups.

Garden Smart Measuring Glass (1, 1 ounce) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073C6S1LS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_o5T4DbQFTS4FY


Fox Run Brands 4892COM 4-Ounce Mini Measuring Glass, Regular, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N4CQWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_95T4DbTWPWNMP


Get some short heavy gauge cords

Still haven’t said what medium, so I can’t recommend anything there for nutes or pots. Since your new, I’d consider soil and airpots.

You’ve got lots to learn, buy the grow encyclopedia.

The Cannabis Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to Cultivation & Consumption of Medical Marijuana https://www.amazon.com/dp/1878823345/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_9RIDjvgDjnPoc

I’m sure I forgot something, it’s off the top of my head, you’ll always be running and picking up a trinket or two. That said, this will get you far down the path.

Need to decide medium and I can help point you towards genetics. Probably clones to start off.

I’m not OP but I have the same light. My succulents are steadily getting bigger under this guy! I also have this timer from Amazon that’s super easy to work - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H81JLHZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PFa3CbXMBVXF0 - as well as a surge protector that has a timer function!

Get a timer like this.

We have sleep cycles based on the sun coming up and down at predictable times. All animals are the same way.

Glad I could help! I'm looking forward to your pictures. Consider getting a pine canopy and a retrofit kit, along with a 2-stage light timer (for when you eventually decide to put in moonlight LEDs, like I just did :) ). The individual bulb kits are nice, because you can take one out of the fixture if you require low light intensity.

The power strips with integrated timers I've seen only control one row of outlets.

This is timer with two independent outlets that I saw. Seems to suffer from long term reliability issues.

Try this: https://smile.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Switch-Adjustable-Module-Second/dp/B01DK8NJNI

This might actually work better: https://smile.amazon.com/Adjustable-Switch-Module-Trigger-0-25Seconds/dp/B07DGRQMBM

How you'd want to do it is have the Meross trigger relay feed this device 12v to power it. Don't use the trigger option of this device or it'll actually get more complicated (and potentially open your garage door if the power goes out).

If you wanna go real crazy this is also an option: https://smile.amazon.com/Qianson-Digital-Display-Infinite-Switch/dp/B01LVXEU3M

Alexa, turn on the living room lamp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KZH6L5

You can buy a cheap wireless access point and plug it into a cheap $15 outlet timer from Amazon. I use it for my fish lighting but it supports times for specific days of the week and all that.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Comforday-Digital-Programmable-Electrical-Anti-theft/dp/B07H959M55/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Smart+Digital+Light+Timer&qid=1557703914&s=gateway&sr=8-8

​

Only issue is if they plug it back in...

For lima beans you don't have to get too technical. Grab one of these and do like 30 min on/30 min off

https://www.amazon.com/KMC-24-Hour-Mechanical-3-Prong-Grounded/dp/B07G29K7LB/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=outlet+timer&qid=1573660242&sr=8-16

This is what I used to use for automatic day light / moon light. Its cheap and very reliable:

https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-05152-Digital-Power-Center/dp/B000CMKHR2

You can get cheap blue moon lights on eBay

There are lots of outlet timers:

https://www.amazon.com/Enover-Programmable-Digital-Electrical-Anti-theft/dp/B01DPOFC5U/

I have [these](Enover 15A/1800W 7-day Programmable Plug-in Digital Timer Switch with 3-Prong Outlet, Set of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPOFC5U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_1FMqZoEJbQKpj) and love them. Simple, effective, accurate, and has many options.

Maybe something like this in series: https://www.amazon.com/JVR-Programmable-Digital-Battery-Powered/dp/B00WR0ELCO/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=12v+dc+timer&qid=1566289720&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Damn and those short cycle timers are expensive. Idk how much you paid for your current timer but if it was cheap might be way cheaper to take and add a separate fan and timer to run opposite of the first. Good luck and let us know if you figure it out.

Edit
On second thought something like this should work too.

(Make sure to tag your post-instructions on sidebar if you need help)

Have you considered using a relay module? They have some good ones on AliExpress that are WiFi controlled and even come with an app. There are 32 channel modules but they are a large jump in price and I suggest purchasing two 16 channel boards instead. You could easily setup a timer or even control them with timed relays or an Arduino if you know how to do such programming. A cool thing I realized with this clock kit that I have is that the white connector on the right is actually a variable voltage out connector that is on for 3 seconds when the alarm goes off. I doubt it will work for your purposes but it's neat.

Here's a video and another of a setups similar to what I described.

A simpler option is using 30 of these. I use one for my soldering iron. You push in or pull out the black tabs for 15 minute increments of on or off.

Be sure to use a close-by and easily accessible kill switch(es) for the entire line-that sounds like a lot of energy.

I have this one set to my work schedule and it's glorious

Get a timed plug/outlet for cheap, something like this and set it up so that a radio (or whatever device that can make a sound/wake you up) turns on and a coffee machine as well.

If you want things to be gradual then I guess buy two timer plugs, one that turns the coffee machine 5 minutes before the radio turns on.

You can get a second hand radio for free or very cheap I'm sure - in terms of coffee machine maybe you have one already?

:)

Ya, understandable I think the solenoid was the most expensive single part of my system. But it wasn't horribly expensive. I bought this one for 35$.-->http://www.diyco2regulator.com/clippard-mouse-solenoid-with-manifold

Also bought most of my fittings from them as well. Great site, awesome customer service and reasonable pricing. And I think they ship to Canada.

The timer though I picked up at a local Petsmart or Petco(I forget which), its a Coralife power strip.

How much money did you just lose in fish, not to mention the heart break... The cost of the solenoid is probably less then replacing fish.

If shipping is the main issue, check out local (to you) medical or welding gas supply places. They might have or should be able to get the right size/type solenoid for around the same cost.