Intermatic DT17C 7-Day Heavy-Duty Grounded Programmable Digital Timer

The watch-type backup batteries are small but last a year or so.
The buttons are small, which is a bit of a pain, but it helps keep the whole thing small.

The display is small & hard to read if you have trouble reading read small text close up. I woul dhave liked a bigger display on the face of the unit. But with the display on top, it's easier to read if it's plugged into a wall outlet.

It has only one plug to control one appliance -- I would have liked two. I also wish it didn't paritally cover a second outlet on many extension cords.

Mechanical electric timer controls are easy to find and much cheaper. They generally allow same-every-day programming only and the clock stops if the power goes out. True digital timers are hard to find and cost much more but they give battery backup & flexible programming.

If you need a timer that keeps time during power losses, this one will serve you well.
I've used a half dozen or so of these since this model first came out a couple of years ago. Never had a any problems. Never had problems with the predecessor models either, but the DT17C-7 is smaller.


Good timer for complex applications   January 28, 2002
R. Kenneally
30 out of 32 found this review helpful

I'm very happy with the DT17C timer. I use it to control a tape recorder for specialty recording applications requiring many on/off programs per day. The timer keeps good time, has effective battery backup, is easy to program and is quite inexpensive for its flexibility.

Only minor complaints - buttons are small for large fingers, and you can't erase one program at a time.

All in all, a reliable product and an excellent value. It has many uses beyond just turning lights on/off.


Great while it lasts   December 20, 2005
Lantana Al (Lantana, TX USA)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

This was wonderful while it worked, then stops working after a few months, even when you put in fresh batteries. At least mine did. And I've had other very unreliable Intermatic products like a wall timer switch which was amazingly unreliable. I was hoping this would be different. It was indeed better than the wall timer switch, but it still breaks after a few months of use (stops being able to turn things on and off- problem with the relay switch inside?).


Fail as expected (Based on other reviews)   June 24, 2006
Roy S. Miller (United States)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

1) Complicated to program - better keep the manual close at hand and know where you keep it for you will need it eventually
2) Unit failed after about six months light use to turn charger for electric toothbrush on and off. Perhaps I gave it the brush off as it expected a better task and it is malperforming out of spite?
3) Anyways after much resetting the unit, reseating backup batteries, reprogramming still won't turn on. I think that I am turned on into seeing how well it works in the trash can. May just need an attitude adjustment if it wants to get back on line?
4) For now a piece of trash.Made in China/Price in Dollars


Unbelievable   December 31, 2006
basspeeps (Seattle, WA USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

4 months - that's exactly how long it took for my unit to stop powering its attached device. The digital screen still works great, but it powers nothing. Unbelievable. The piece of crap is coming soon to a dumpster near you! Don't buy this, seriously. Look at all the negative reviews here. Obviously Intermatic isn't too concerned with customer satisfaction.