Timers

For your plants to grow and bloom beautifully, they need a certain schedule. This is ensured by timers, which reliably control switching the lighting on and off for you according to your individual settings. High-quality timers, of which you will of course find a whole range with us, are an indispensable helper in indoor growing and undoubtedly belong to the basic technical equipment of every grower.

• Mechanical can be used from low to high power; their disadvantage is the limited setting option according to the physical lever on the timer for the given interval (usually 15 or 30 minutes). On multi-socket timer units (distribution boards), you will therefore usually find only mechanical timers. They are suitable for switching LED lighting.
• Digital - The setting limitation is in the software programming - so setting is often possible down to the second. A common problem is the limit on the number of cycles per day. Typically, it is possible to set a mode for one day, and with some also for a week ahead. Some can remember different settings for different days. In the event of a power outage, they usually also have a small backup battery, so their switching does not shift within the day. The disadvantage of these solutions is that they are limited by the maximum switched power, so they are usually suitable rather for outputs of up to approx. 700 W and switching irrigation, humidifiers, fans and similar.

The bestseller in this category is digital timers from Great Britain, from the workshop of the prestigious brand Lumatek. You can conveniently programme the socket according to your needs up to a week ahead and you are all set!

The absolute classic is EMOS mechanical timers. 

Mechanical timers can also take a much more sophisticated form. For example, Timer Box II by GSE allows switching twelve ballasts with discharge lamps, and after the lighting is switched off it can also handle 2,000 W of heating.

Which timer should you choose for an LED light?

Digital timers are also suitable for LEDs - their power limit (usually up to approx. 700 W) is enough for a standard LED fixture. For high power or multiple circuits, choose mechanical ones, which can handle a higher load.

Will digital timers withstand a power outage?

Most digital timers have a small backup battery, so after a power outage they keep the time and the set mode does not shift within the day.

How much can timers handle?

It depends on the maximum switched power of the specific model. Digital timers usually up to approx. 700 W, while mechanical and distribution-board solutions such as Timer Box II can handle multiple circuits and heating as well.