Customer Reviews for Defiant 5-Amp In-Wall Digital Timer with No Neutral Wire

This replaced an older, mechanical version. Serves a good purpose of turning on/off outdoor lights at the proper times. Easily fit in a two switch outlet. And it gave us cause to replace the trim plate and spruce up the appearance with a rocker switch as well.

This timer was easy to install in a three switch box and offers us security by turning on and off the entry and carriage lights at times we designate. We can set the timer for different times on various days of the week making the home appear to be occupied even while we are away. We were amazed at how effective it is and are delighted with the results of this easy installation on a panel housing two other regular switches.

Easy to assemble and does the job it was purchased for. Programming is a little more complicated. YOU MUST HAVE written directions to program or go on line and look them up by Brand name, there is a convenient copy of instructions. First, push pgm button once to set the current time and day. Second, push pgm button twice to set auto on and off times and follow directions for which button to push to set. Don't forget to push 'enter' after each step or you will go around in circles. I suppose the other pgm's 2-4 is if you want other days set different times, for example for INSIDE use. I use mine for OUTSIDE lights only so I only needed to set pgm 1. I would like to set a time for spring and fall but haven't figured out how to do that if its for the same days (7). You can always override the timer by simply push on front shield in like a button, on and off. It's not obvious so I think some of these other reviewers may have been confused or didn't notice 'what is the on and off manual switch', again just simply push on front of unit. And you MUST HAVE THE DIRECTIONS to know 'which buttons' to use in setting time. The instructions are good and easy to follow, but if you just look at the buttons and try to set timer they are not self explanatory. Once its set it's wonderful! I have had mine for 6 months now and still happy with it except for losing the directions how to reset the timer for the now shorter winter days. But I would still recommend this unit for the value and looks.

The device was very easy to install. Three wires and a few twists of the nuts :) and your done. The programming was simple and I was able to complete three settings in a few minutes. The only problem I have is the display. It is quite small and is not back-lit. This makes viewing rather difficult but a magnifying glass will help. I think this is the least of the worries as once you set it you walk away and let it do it's thing. The nice feature is the ability to turn on & off the light by pressing the front panel. I was concerned about that operation and the concern has been nullified.

This a great product, works well. The only fault I have found is that the display is little hard to read. Not bright enought, that is the only reason I put one demerit on Quaility section.

Very easy to use, has many different settings which is nice to have more than just 1 preset time for on and off.

Great concept, poor design. Very hard to program and confusing, thanks to some of the videos online. The timer worked for about 3 months and then continued to burn out bulbs (within minutes of installation). No changes were made at the source or by the switch. Timer is no longer sold at the store, only online (presently out of stock) and can't get my money back. When the timer is back in-stock, find something else.

Heard about this timer a year ago so I bought one to see how it works. Easy install and programming on this timer, and easy to change time for the on time and off time. I need to go back and buy two more.

Big problem is the instructions, they are printed so small one needs a magnify glass to read it, having someone help me since one has to hold instructions and magnifier while one pushes the buttons and see if it works. If so, ok, if not..goes back package open or not! Now I see there are far too many poor reviews, thought Home Depot did better than this!

IT needs additional work to install, since does not match the deep of outlet. Complicated programming. I would like to returnit, but store does not take back after opening. Later we found that our neighbore who is handyman had the same problems. Do not recommend to buy.

I see from the fine print in the programming manual this switch will not work with CFL or LED bulbs, and I understand it should not be used with any electric motor, but this really a useless switch. I tested it and when it is ON, I get 115v at the connected outlet, when it is turned completely off, I get 0v. That parts fine, but when the timer is on, but in an off period, there is 103v. For this reason I'd hesitate to connect it to any electronics. Also the timer doesn't work (no display of even the time) when there is not something plugged into it. Also the programming is needlessly difficult. Don't buy unless you have extra space in your junk drawer.

Installed this timer switch on a dedicated circuit for x-mas lights inside my garage last year and went to use it again this year, flipped the power switch to get started and the x-mas lights started flashing, pushed the on/off button and they stayed solid. There was no read out on the screen, and the timer would not turn off the lights without flipping the power switch. Spend a few extra bucks and save yourself from having to buy another one.

Works for a while, then if you reset it, it fails. I returned it and tried another, same problem. Tried another, same problem.

First one i purchased, the light remained on when in the manual off mode. Exchanged and installed a second one, worked for one day and the same issue showed up.

The timer has no manual On/OFF mode. Once setup, it has to be "automatic" all the time. I use this timer for the light of my front porch. I want the light to be OFF during the holiday season. I have to delete the programs to keep it from turning ON the light automatically and re-program the timer after holiday season. This is considered a serious design failure as all automatic devices should have a manual mode when you want to control things by yourself.

Easy to install just follow the printed directions to set timer.Now have the lights coming on when needed.

If you live in a home that doesn't have grounded outlets, this product is great.

If you are looking for a timer, look no further! This is very easy to install and setup. My only problem with the device (and it is a minimal problem) is that the characters are so small that, unless you are sitting in front of it, it is hard to program correctly. Otherwise, turns on and off when I want it to. It looks great and can even set up two switches on just one timer. Good stuff!

This switch worked for about 2 weeks and then the light was lit dimly only, like it was partially on. Had to buy another switch. Also there is no backlight or feedback to know if the light was turned on when you do it manually. Found that many times you push the button and the light would not work, had to keep pushing so if you cannot see it you have to go look each time to verify it is on. Spent $33 and bought a Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B. Thought I was saving money buying the $19 Defiant, never again! Honeywell is backlit, has a nice blue indicator when on, audible click when turned on, and automatic longitude/latitude setting for sunset makes it fool proof since it is the default setting.

We bought 2 switches for our 2nd home where we spend couple of days a week. The programming is extremely difficult and with a toothpick and it loses the programming if the power is lost for more than 60 minutes. I am in computer programming field and it was difficult for me to set it up. I can't imagine for average person, how difficult this would be. Random function should work with one push and it should turn on and off between the hours of 6pm and 10pm to make it easier for average person. Display is extremely hard to read, should have had back lit screen.

If you have an outlet that has no neutral wire this is the timer for you. The only thing I don't like is the digital readout is tiny so bring a magnifying glass.

The timer works but if you lose power it tends to malfunction. Life expectancy is about a year.

Do not buy this product. I bought two of this timer over a year ago. After installing the timers, my wife noticed the lights were not as bright. At that time I did not bother to check it further. Couple of weeks ago my wife noticed one of the timers felt hot after the lights were turned on for a while. I put my hand on the face plate of the timer and sure it was hot. I took out the volt meter and measured the voltage drop across the timer from line side to load side and it measured a 30 volt drop. You make this measurement when the lights are on. This means the light bulbs were only getting around 80 volt AC on a 110 volt line. The timer is wasting and dissipating about 27% of the electricity that is passing through it. No wonder the lights were not as bright and the timer gets hot. I have one of the timers connected to about 260 watts of incandescent bulbs in one room and the other timer connected to a 60 watt light bulb in the kitchen. Both measured 30 volt drop across the timer so this is by design and not one defective timer. The one with 260 watt load (well within the product spec) was noticeable hot. I replaced both timers with a different brand and rechecked with the volt meter. The new timers work well with no noticeable voltage drop across it and the lights are brighter. This Defiant timer is rated for 5 amps. If you really have a 5 amp load, with a 30 volt drop, it means the timer would be dissipating about 150 watts. You know how hot a 150 watt light bulb gets and that's how hot this timer can get. This timer can potentially be a fire hazard. Defiant should recall this defectively designed timer.

Don't buy this item. It is a cheap knockoff of the in telematic. The screen is very dim which I called customer support on and they said yes, they get that comment a lot. It does not keep time or programming ) which is very difficult) with lost power. Also the buttons are extremely small... This item is a bust!

The print is very small & in the bright sun light even harder to see while setting.

Glad I stumbled upon this product as I didn't know these existed. Replaced my D2D sensor with this more reliable product. Only been 7 days but couldn't be happier.

I have had 2 of these timers running Cree LED porch lights for nearly 2 years without issue.

I have been trying to program this thing for three days and it finally began working but at the wrong time. The instructions do not explain how to run only program 1. It does not show what program is running. What a waste of time. I'm giving it a week if it does not work I'm returning it.

I purchased and installed this timer. The light would not turn on automatically. And when turned on manually would only stay on for about 30 seconds. Home Depot customer service explained it would not work for my CFL light or for LED's. I did not find that limitation on the packaging anywhere.

Most of the bad reviews of this timer were written by people who bought the wrong timer for the wrong thing. This timer DOES NOT work with CFL bulbs. You can't use it to power a fountain pump, or any kind of motor! If you take a quick look at the instructions on the Home Depot site, you will see: "This timer will only operate with incandescent, halogen, or xenon bulbs.Do not use this timer with CFL or LED bulbs." I might add, don't try to use it with any kind of electrical motor, including fountain pumps. If you don't know what kind of timer to use with motors, it is probably best if you hire out your electrical work.