Dumping Coralife Light Timers

Nabber86 · 09/25/2006, 03:32 PM

I thought Coralife was having problems with their crummy timers that work for a couple of weeks and then break (or worse yet, catch fire).

Now they are dumping them at a science surplus site:

http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?...5&category=149

(you may have to go to the bottom of the page and hit "More Household Sockets" to get it to come up.)

2 for $9.75. Hope whomever buys them has good insurance.

"Itellegent" power strip. Yeah right.

TWallace · 09/25/2006, 04:08 PM

Those don't look like Coralife timers. Coralife timers have different colored tabs on some of the sockets, indicating if they are timed or not.

Tobman · 09/25/2006, 04:24 PM

I have one of the Coralife timers with the colored plugs. Just got it at Marine Depot less than 3 months ago.

Are they dangerous? What's a better brand? I like the combo timer and surge protector with 8 or more outlets.

This is the one I have.

thor32766 · 09/25/2006, 04:40 PM

i have that one also. anybody?

reefdood · 09/25/2006, 05:08 PM

Any powerstrip labeled "NOT FOR USE IN DAMP LOCATIONS" is a fire hazard in our circumstance.

ambaratur · 09/25/2006, 05:45 PM

There have been a few threads about them catching fire.

And I believe however that not one of those threads said that they had a GFI outlet however. I could be wrong - but I don't remember seeing it.

Lpsfanatic338 · 09/25/2006, 06:34 PM

I have had mine for over a year and it has never stopped working or caught fire

Nabber86 · 09/26/2006, 07:09 AM

I have had 2 of them; a single timer and a double timer. Both of them stuck in the "on" position overnight and almost fried my tank.

Dragon68 · 09/26/2006, 07:23 AM

What would be a better one to use?I have ones that are for TV's and such.I know this is wrong but what would be best?I also have drip loops in all of my cords.

conefree · 09/26/2006, 07:45 AM

I have heard nothing bad about the digitals. I use two of them, each plugged into their own GFCI outlet. If anybody wants pictures of the rig I made, let me know.

As far as the single and dual manual wheel timers, there have been multiple threads on how horrible they are. Several have started fires and done lots of damage.

HowardW · 09/26/2006, 07:59 AM

Ditto..........I believe the problems reported were with the older style non-digital units. I've been using 2 of the newer style digital ones for nearly a year now with no issues.

conefree · 09/26/2006, 08:04 AM

Here is one of the threads, there are probably a couple more:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=580767

Nabber86 · 09/26/2006, 08:11 AM

Yes it is the old-style mechanical ones that are bad.

Every hour at precisely 26 minutes after the hour, I heared a distinct "click" from the tank area. It took me several months to figure out that it was the timer that was still pugged in under the stand (nothing is plugged into it). The timer wheel does not turn and sticks (or clicks) once an hour at that time.

Guess I ought to disconnect it.

conefree · 09/26/2006, 08:33 AM

Yeah don't take any chances. If you really want to keep it, I would definitely advise plugging it into a GFCI outlet.

Tobman · 09/26/2006, 08:45 AM

So can you all recommend better brands, please? With an internet link to where you can purchase them?

HowardW · 09/26/2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tobman
So can you all recommend better brands, please? With an internet link to where you can purchase them?

I think the new style Coralife digital units would be fine, I haven't heard of any problems with them and mine work just fine.

conefree · 09/26/2006, 09:07 AM

I have had both of my digitals for almost a year.

You can get them at:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES01692

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx

http://www.petsolutions.com/Digital+...C-1042-C-.aspx

areze · 09/26/2006, 09:14 AM

plug a regular good power strip into this

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...12725/cid/3389

without question the best purchase Ive made. it just works. no worries at all. though I wouldnt get it wet just like I wouldnt get any powerstrip wet.

conefree · 09/26/2006, 09:16 AM

Those are pretty nice, good price too. Might have to invest in some of those for other timed tasks.

Tobman · 09/26/2006, 09:23 AM

So you all are saying I should ditch the Coralife one I linked to above and get one of the digitals, even though it is fairly new?

Mine is plugged into a GFCI outlet.

conefree · 09/26/2006, 09:36 AM

At the very least, ditch any coralife with the mechanical timer. I have heard nothing bad about the digital. I love both of mine, they do a great job of maintaining my photo period and powerheads. There are other options out there, but the digital coralife is a good option because of its options and size. HTH

Tobman · 09/26/2006, 10:37 AM

Thank you!

Snakebyt · 09/26/2006, 11:03 AM

here is the one i used, Picked it up a while back at Lowes for $14.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/Intermatic-8-Out...QQcmdZViewItem

madchad86 · 10/06/2006, 09:26 PM

i was wondering...

if i buy the coral life digital, can i have both the timed outlets (day and night) on at the same time, because i would like to do the dawn/dusk effect, but to my understanding you can only have either the day or the night on.

thanks

namdrib2 · 10/07/2006, 04:20 AM

I used the Coralife Dual Power Center and IMO the thing sucks. The clock mechanism gets caught on one of the dials. I have tried two with the same problem developing on them. So I have replaced the one unit with three made by Intermatic that I got at a Home Depot. The clocks are digital and battery operated so they don't reset on the loss of power. the down side is that they only have two outlets each. I got them for $10/ea and they are working great.

09/25/2006, 03:32 PM	#1
Nabber86 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stalewater Kansas Posts: 408	Dumping Coralife Light Timers I thought Coralife was having problems with their crummy timers that work for a couple of weeks and then break (or worse yet, catch fire). Now they are dumping them at a science surplus site: http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?...5&category=149 (you may have to go to the bottom of the page and hit "More Household Sockets" to get it to come up.) 2 for $9.75. Hope whomever buys them has good insurance. "Itellegent" power strip. Yeah right.

09/25/2006, 04:24 PM	#3
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	I have one of the Coralife timers with the colored plugs. Just got it at Marine Depot less than 3 months ago. Are they dangerous? What's a better brand? I like the combo timer and surge protector with 8 or more outlets. This is the one I have. __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

09/25/2006, 04:40 PM	#4
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	i have that one also. anybody? __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

09/25/2006, 05:08 PM	#5
reefdood Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 1,553	Any powerstrip labeled "NOT FOR USE IN DAMP LOCATIONS" is a fire hazard in our circumstance. __________________ ~I am Fragholio!~ ~I need species for my fraghole!~ Current Tank Info: 30g drilled display with a 20g sump, modded CPR skimmer in sump, Mag7 return, 1/4 hp chiller, Ranco DS, 175w Hamilton, (3) 3' VHO, IC 660, (2) hacksawed MJ 900's on a Waveaster Pro, LED moonlights, and an inch of sand.

09/25/2006, 05:45 PM	#6
ambaratur Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 776	There have been a few threads about them catching fire. And I believe however that not one of those threads said that they had a GFI outlet however. I could be wrong - but I don't remember seeing it. __________________ "God is dead." - Nietzsche "Nietzsche is dead." - God Click my red house for my 125 gal. tank build thread. Member of Northern Arizona Marine Aquarium Society (NAMAS) Current Tank Info: 125g AGA MegaFlow - 150lbs Fiji live rock - 50g DIY sump/fuge - Tunze 9010/9015 Skimmer - Eheim 1260 - 2x Seio 1500 - 5x 80w IceCap T5 Retro - PhosBan Reactor 150 - AC Jr. Controller - Typhoon III RO/DI - Mixed Reef

09/25/2006, 04:08 PM	#2
TWallace Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,464	Those don't look like Coralife timers. Coralife timers have different colored tabs on some of the sockets, indicating if they are timed or not.

09/25/2006, 06:34 PM	#7
Lpsfanatic338 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oceanside, New York Posts: 364	I have had mine for over a year and it has never stopped working or caught fire

09/26/2006, 07:09 AM	#8
Nabber86 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stalewater Kansas Posts: 408	I have had 2 of them; a single timer and a double timer. Both of them stuck in the "on" position overnight and almost fried my tank.

09/26/2006, 07:23 AM	#9
Dragon68 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: east Tn Posts: 192	What would be a better one to use?I have ones that are for TV's and such.I know this is wrong but what would be best?I also have drip loops in all of my cords. __________________ Live every day like it was your last because one day you will be right! Current Tank Info: 125 Gal fresh,55 gal salt FOWLR 3" sand bed,css 220 skimmer, Seio 820 PH,2 Emperor 400 filter with phos-ban in the baskets,2 50/50 no 48" lights,25lb lr more to come,2 turbo snails,1 Clown for now

09/26/2006, 07:45 AM	#10
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	I have heard nothing bad about the digitals. I use two of them, each plugged into their own GFCI outlet. If anybody wants pictures of the rig I made, let me know. As far as the single and dual manual wheel timers, there have been multiple threads on how horrible they are. Several have started fires and done lots of damage. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

09/26/2006, 07:59 AM	#11
HowardW Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 1,763	Ditto..........I believe the problems reported were with the older style non-digital units. I've been using 2 of the newer style digital ones for nearly a year now with no issues. __________________ Florida live rock addict

09/26/2006, 08:04 AM	#12
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	Here is one of the threads, there are probably a couple more: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=580767 __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

09/26/2006, 08:11 AM	#13
Nabber86 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stalewater Kansas Posts: 408	Yes it is the old-style mechanical ones that are bad. Every hour at precisely 26 minutes after the hour, I heared a distinct "click" from the tank area. It took me several months to figure out that it was the timer that was still pugged in under the stand (nothing is plugged into it). The timer wheel does not turn and sticks (or clicks) once an hour at that time. Guess I ought to disconnect it.

09/26/2006, 08:33 AM	#14
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	Yeah don't take any chances. If you really want to keep it, I would definitely advise plugging it into a GFCI outlet. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

09/26/2006, 08:45 AM	#15
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	So can you all recommend better brands, please? With an internet link to where you can purchase them? __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

09/26/2006, 09:07 AM	#17
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	I have had both of my digitals for almost a year. You can get them at: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES01692 http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx http://www.petsolutions.com/Digital+...C-1042-C-.aspx __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

09/26/2006, 09:14 AM	#18
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	plug a regular good power strip into this http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...12725/cid/3389 without question the best purchase Ive made. it just works. no worries at all. though I wouldnt get it wet just like I wouldnt get any powerstrip wet. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

09/26/2006, 09:16 AM	#19
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	Those are pretty nice, good price too. Might have to invest in some of those for other timed tasks. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

09/26/2006, 09:23 AM	#20
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	So you all are saying I should ditch the Coralife one I linked to above and get one of the digitals, even though it is fairly new? Mine is plugged into a GFCI outlet. __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

09/26/2006, 09:36 AM	#21
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	At the very least, ditch any coralife with the mechanical timer. I have heard nothing bad about the digital. I love both of mine, they do a great job of maintaining my photo period and powerheads. There are other options out there, but the digital coralife is a good option because of its options and size. HTH __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

09/26/2006, 10:37 AM	#22
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	Thank you! __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

09/26/2006, 11:03 AM	#23
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	here is the one i used, Picked it up a while back at Lowes for $14.99 http://cgi.ebay.com/Intermatic-8-Out...QQcmdZViewItem

10/06/2006, 09:26 PM	#24
madchad86 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1	i was wondering... if i buy the coral life digital, can i have both the timed outlets (day and night) on at the same time, because i would like to do the dawn/dusk effect, but to my understanding you can only have either the day or the night on. thanks

10/07/2006, 04:20 AM	#25
namdrib2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norwood MA Posts: 131	I used the Coralife Dual Power Center and IMO the thing sucks. The clock mechanism gets caught on one of the dials. I have tried two with the same problem developing on them. So I have replaced the one unit with three made by Intermatic that I got at a Home Depot. The clocks are digital and battery operated so they don't reset on the loss of power. the down side is that they only have two outlets each. I got them for $10/ea and they are working great.