Melnor Electronic DUO AquaTimer #3060

This is Melnor's most advanced timer, so programming your own watering schedule (instead of using one of the five preset schedules) may take you a few minutes with the aid of the instruction manual. That said, the timer's infinite programmability and ability to water up to six times a day more than compensates for its operational complexity. The timer runs on two AA batteries (not included). Two-year limited warranty.

For large sod installations, this timer is great. If you buy a 4-1 splitter of the main pipe, then attach these timers, then a 2 to 1 splitter, you can run 8 sprinklers on alternating time patters that allow each set of sprinklers to maintain high water pressure. No more moving sprinklers around!

You can set 6 different on/off times during ONE day if you need to. Great for new sod or overseeding a yard. Keeps it wet all day. You can select which days of the week to run or odd/even. It saves 5 different schedules. There's even a schedule that only runs once.

The other feature I love is the elmination of "water hammer." With other timers, you know when it stops because of that loud THUD! This timer has a more gradual open and shutting of the valve that elimnates that loud thud in your pipes.


Be Prepared to Burn Batteries   May 8, 2000
23 out of 26 found this review helpful

This sprinker timer is lousy! It sucks so much juice from the batteries that they go dead in less than a month, and that's with a conservative watering schedule of about every 3 days.If you had to run this thing daily, you'd spend more for batteries in the first 6 months than the whole unit costs!

I've used Gardena in the past and they're much higher quality -- though you should take care of the "O" rings.


Unreliable At Best   June 15, 2000
Andrew Maus (Huntersville, NC)
14 out of 17 found this review helpful

Don't waste your money on a Melnor timer. I purchased a total of 5 of them, and had to bring every one of them back. The electronics would just stop working. And as mentioned here, then do burn batteries way too quickly. Try a Nelson timer. I use mine everyday and I've had the same 2 'C' batteries in it for 2 months.


Only good when it works, which is rarely.   May 30, 2000
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

This thing does burn batteries! Do not trust it when you go out of town, even if you put a fresh pair in before you go. Another downside is that when it does need new batteries, there is no way for you to override the system to water. You must either take the timer off completely or ensure you have a steady supply of batteries on hand during a hot spell. Sometimes it will give you a message to replace the batteries (halting all watering) and then the batteries will be good. Pay close attention to their warning on changing the batteries; you can fry the whole unit, which they won't cover under warranty. It also has a mind of its own: when you turn off the timer to water manually it will turn itself back on two minutes later ...an intermittent problem. I purchased four of these units for different areas of my yard. ALL of them have these problems.


Good product, but need improvement   June 21, 2005
f117b2 (Vernon Hills, IL United States)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I want to give it 3 1/2 stars but can't do it. It works and does the job as it suppose to. The good about this thing, others mentioned already. I believe something Melnor needs to improve for next version.
1) The text on the screen is too small. please make it BIGER.
2) The most thing I hate is the customized timing. After you customized, you have to live with it even you customized incorrectly. It allows 5 customized settings that can't be reset or change. The only way to rest it is to remove the batteries and then reput the batteries. Please make a reset button to allow to reset without removing the batteries.