Intermatic Timer Model # HB88RC

Intermatic Timer Model # HB88RC

Back in October of 2004, I purchased from Lowe's Hardware in Wilkesboro, NC, an Intermatic digital 7 day / 7 event Outdoor Timer. Said timer was model HB88RC. This timer was purchased to operate a string of low voltage (4 watt) landscape lights made by Malibu.

The timer failed to operate at all. The lights would continue to operate from dusk to dawn as the photocell sensor was designed to do, but the timer would not allow the lights to come on at 6:00 PM and off at 11:00 PM. It also would not turn the lights back on at 5:30 AM and off at 6:10 AM as I had programmed. The unit eventually stopped allowing the lights to come on at all.

I at first thought I had programmed the timer incorrectly, but upon inspection I discovered that the LED read out on the unit was completely blank. I replaced the AA battery in the unit, but the LED readout remained blank. I returned the unit to Lowe's Hardware for replacement, which is not an experience to be relished. Eventually, they exchanged the unit for another model HB88RC timer. I completed the 60 mile round trip from Wilkesboro, programmed the timer and waited to see if this one was going to operate. This one had exactly one cycle in it.

It turned the lights on the first night as programmed. The next evening I checked it, and the clock had stopped at 10:59 PM. I pulled the battery out reset the timer and hooked it back up. The next morning when the lights did not come on, I checked the timer, and every one of the LED s on the clock was lit up, the polar opposite, of a blank timer. I once again made my pilgrimage to Wilkesboro to try and get my money back. They would only allow me to exchange it for another one. I completed the 60-mile round trip once again.

I then programmed the timer and guess what? This one didn't work at all. So I have 180 miles, and $21.97 wrapped up in this stinking timer that I assumed was going to allow me to save a few pennies a month on my electric bill. To say that I am just a little bit peeved would be a gross understatement. I

thought that Intermatic was a very old and well respected company, but evidently actually producing an item which functions is beyond it capabilities. Michael R Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: Email User Consumer