One advantage of indoor hydroponic gardening is the close proximity to electrical outlets. This makes it easy to power grow lights, pumps, and other equipment.
Timers are an important tool for hydroponic gardeners. Once you’ve dialed in successful lighting and feeding schedules, timers make it possible to repeat that success, grow after grow. This helps maximize the productivity and health of your plants.
I prefer mechanical timers because they’re inexpensive and they last a long time. If you’ve never set a mechanical timer before it can be a little confusing at first. These simple steps will help you get up to speed quickly.
How Mechanical Timers Work
Normally, mechanical timers have 48 pins that can be set to the on or off position. One pin for each clock hour, and one pin for every half hour. If you need a higher level of control, there are 96 pin mechanical timers. These timers can be set in 15-minute intervals.
Each pin is a two-position switch. This means each pin has an up and down position. The up position is off, and the down position is on.
Most mechanical timers also have override switches. If you need to turn a light or pump on, slide the override switch to the ON position. When you’re ready to go back onto the timer schedule, slide the switch back to the TIMER position. The timer will continue keeping accurate time while in the ON position, and will immediately start functioning based on the current time settings.
How to Read the Time on a Mechanical Timer
Some timers have misleading arrows and other markings on the face that make it hard to tell the difference between AM and PM. Forget about the arrows and markings.
All mechanical timers have a color difference for AM and PM. The lighter side of the dial is AM, and the darker side of the dial is PM. The BN-LINK mechanical timer in the photo has a black half for PM and a white half for AM.
There is one important arrow on the face of the timer. The current time arrow. It’s normally located on the top portion of the inner ring. In the photo above, the current time arrow is bright green. To set the current time, rotate the dial until the current time arrow is pointing at the correct time.
- Unplug the timer from electrical power.
- Make sure all pins are in the up (OFF) position.
- Rotate the dial until the inner arrow is pointing at the current time.
- Push down pins at the times you want the device powered on.
- Make sure the selector switch is set to TIMER.
- Plug the timer into a wall outlet or surge protector.
- Plug the device into the timer.
Download the First Grow Cheat Sheet for step-by-step instructions, DIY templates, and shopping lists that will take your first grow to the next level!
Setting Multiple Timer Intervals
If you’re powering hydroponic pumps that run at scheduled intervals throughout the day, you can program those intervals into the timer. For example, the picture below shows a timer set to run in 30-minute intervals at 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.
Being able to set multiple intervals adds a lot of flexibility to your hydroponic gardening.
Make Sure the Power Switch on the Light or Pump is ON
This little tip might save you some troubleshooting time! If the light or pump has an ON/OFF switch, make sure it’s in the ON position. The timer can’t turn the light on if it’s turned off at the switch. I know because I’ve done it!
What Happens to a Mechanical Timer When the Power Goes Out?
Mechanical timers are simple devices. They don’t have any kind of control chip or memory. If the power goes out for say 2 hours, the device time will be behind by 2 hours.
It’s a good idea to check the time on your timers every few days to make sure it’s accurate. Occasionally, the power may go out in the middle of the night and you might forget to reset the current time on the timer in the morning.
Making this part of your gardening routine will help insure against pumps and lights running at the wrong times.
Surge Protectors with a Mechanical Timer
If you need to plug in more than one device, you might prefer a power supply with a timer. Most surge protectors with timers have 3 or 4 outlets that work on the timer, and 3 or 4 outlets that are always on.
- 4 Timed Outlets
- 4 Always On Outlets
This is convenient if you need to run an aerator 24×7, but want to grow lights to run on a schedule.
Why Mechanical (Analog) Over Digital?
Digital timers are great. Most of them have onboard memory enabling them to retain programmed settings after a power outage. Better yet, many of them also have a small battery that keeps the time on the timer correct during a power outage.
Digital timers sound great, why are we even talking about mechanical timers? Because mechanical timers last longer. I’ve had several of my mechanical timers for close to a decade, and they still work flawlessly.
If you prefer the convenience of a digital timer, BN-LINK makes a good digital power strip that’s only a few dollars more than the mechanical version.
- 4 Outlets Timed
- 4 Outlets Always On
Download the First Grow Cheat Sheet for step-by-step instructions, DIY templates, and shopping lists that will take your first grow to the next level!