GE 15086 Single-Pole/Single-Throw 7-Day Digital Timer, White

I was a little hesitant buying this item because of the many negative reviews. However, I noticed feedback that indicated the negative reviewers may have installed this product incorrectly. So I went on the web and found installation instructions. Due to this product needing constant power, wiring it properly is paramount. The wiring instructions were just fine and having started out my college career in EE felt this would not be a challenge to install. The device itself was straight forward. I have had it installed for 3 weeks and I have not had any issues whatsoever. However, be aware that if this is going into a multi-gang switch box you may be overwhelmed with pigtails and dual current wiring. If you're just replacing a single gang switch, you will probably have no issues. However, if you have a setup like mine, with 2 light switches and switched outlets, and you don't have electrical experience, you may want to get some help. Also, if you do push forward with a triple gang outlet, I would recommend this cover: Leviton 80421-W 2-Toggle 1-Decora/GFCI Device Combination Wallplate

Installed several of these for porch lights, over last 3 years. Two have quit working, twice! They are junk. I have since replaced the timers with regular switches & screw in light sensor sockets. (Now that they have light sensor sockets that work with LED bulbs) The light sensor sockets are available at Home Depot, cost about $8, and work with my LED light porch light bulbs! If you have florescent, or LED bulbs, be sure to buy the right one, as there are different sensors for different types of bulbs. The sun is now my light timer, and requires no monthly re-programming!

The switch comes with an active battery so you can set the date and time before you hook everything up. It would have been nice to have a back light on the display since it's difficult to see the numbers without bright light source. The cover is best removed completely to set the controls. There is a daylight savings feature so get the dates and times set and check that first then install. The buttons are small so pressing two of them at the same time is challenging unless you have smaller helping hands/fingers to press them. Once everything is set up you have a decent switch the works with no assistance. If you manually use it between settings it is supposed to pick up again on the next setting time but I haven't tested that feature yet. It turns on then turns off at the times I set. If you are not comfortable working with electrical wires then do not install. I'd put this at intermediate diy level meaning you know your wires and/or you look at the current switch hookups and can read directions and interpret the pictures on the installation guide to match them. This one uses 5 wire connections so if you are accustomed to the 3 wire switch pick a different item. The cover to the switch (not shown) covers the small on/off buttons on the switch to make it easier to use but you can leave it off (I attached mine). So far no complaints.

I lucked out buying this timer as my first one. My friends have gotten spin offs at Home Depot or something and they were a pain in the rear to program. These GE ones are easy and last a long time. I don't know if they make them anymore, but if you want long lasting and simplicity, buy this one.

The timer works well once you have it set up. Setting it up is difficult and requires surgical precision when pressing the requited buttons which are made of semi-soft rubber that tend to stick. The cover, which acts as a switch, is ill-fitting and also becomes stuck when used to override the timed settings. Once set, it is difficult to reset and the unit will fail(I have replace 2 0f them- my present unit is the third one I have owned)with a power outage. With all its faults, it is still the only affordable alternative I have found.

Works good now had one crap out, lets see what happens with this product.?????

Bought one of these about 7 years ago.....after it quit, I decided to go with the same. It's been going strong for the last 6 months. Not all switches like all fixtures or electrical systems....what works good for some may not for others.....find a good brand and stick with it. On the first switch, I changed the timer setting over 100 times in its 7 year life without ever having a problem. (No daylight savings time in AZ means lots of adjustments.) As stated in other reviews...make sure to wire it correctly or your battery will die in about 30 days leaving you switchless and as with any specialty switch...keep a basic on/off replacement on hand should a problem occur.

Save your money and sanity. This thing worked for 2 weeks and now won't keep its program. Flipped the timer switch to 'off' so I could turn the light on and off by using the tiny override button but that didn't work. I had to leave it on timer without programming it just to switch on the light and now the light turns off at the whim of this Chinese-made junk. I wouldn't give this thing 1 star but it's required to write a review.