For lights, I do prefer a mechanical timer like the one in the link you posted in your first post. For everything else, I use digital. I’ve never used smart timers, so I can’t compare.
No matter what you pick, just make sure you don’t exceed the amperage rating of the timer. That’s how you have failures and fires.
I use mechanical. Always have
Mechanical have never let me down so until they do thats my choice
And when they do let you down, at least they do it GLORIOUSLY.
Mine decided that dark time was merely a suggestion the other day and turned itself on!
That’s what I’m worried about as well,thing turning itself on
I’ve only used mechanical so can’t comment to compare. But I do need to get a digital one that can be programmed in “seconds” increments for watering purposes.
It was turning off randomly and I thought it was my bulb or ballast at first. Then I switched timers and it worked to come on but didn’t go off when it was supposed to. Spun it slightly (further towards the dark period) and got it off and then it randomly turned itself off on a few hours later when firmly in the lights out portion. Not worth it in flower, specially not halfway through.
So what happens if light gets into your tent during dark period
I have some light leaks in my tents I’ve never had any plants go hermie
I live in an area where my power goes out 1-2 times a month. Got tired of resetting the mechanical ones so I use digital even on my pond.
Yeah but we’re not talking a light leak in this case, we’re talking the sun as far as these plants know! lol
315 CMH directly above them coming on 2 hours into their sleep time, and worse I don’t know how long it was on before I caught it. They seem ok, albeit some other issues I don’t believe the light caused.
Controlling seconds is not a common feature for a digital timer, but they certainly exist. You could spend a lot, but here’s one that might work for you (and if you’re in the States, there’s a 5% coupon available). The current price is $16.99US, which also includes a $1 discount, but doesn’t include the 5% coupon:
I had 2 angry autos my last grow don’t know what got into them 2 plants they where fed the same as my other plants,leaves went yellow real quick on them I couldn’t track down what was going on
Ph was good and the run off was good,I ended up flushing them ,but the thing with autos they never really get over it since they have such a short life span lol
One thing photos gives you is time to correct. Autos are great when they chug ahead fine but not so much when they chug themselves right off a cliff.
My ph is perfect but my runoff is high and I think I have a potassium deficiency going on as well unfortunately. The strain is long flowering though so plenty of time to pull up on this nosedive.
I use these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_BM7Q76DEQMQRPC9C8SW4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 they work, can’t imagine trying to do it manually.
I use the cheap digital ones. Never had a problem.
I do replace them periodically and keep them plugged in when not in use.
They only ever have to carry more than 300w
I find mechanicals start to lose time over time. I use digital. I think they have a battery back up because they don’t lose time when you unplug them
Mine loses like 15min/week. I just readjust it. But I should probably swap it out for the new one in my storage bin.
It’s just on the bottom somewhere and I don’t feel like digging through it.
I just go around once a month and make sure they arent hot. Seen many of timers burn up.