Outdoor lighting controls

[Greg Pack]

There are lighting grade contactors that are rated for constant power-up of the coil. They'll last longer and won't buzz like HVAC relays will.

I changed from photocell to an astronomic timer (Like you mentioned I had trouble with the lights not shutting off if it stayed overcast). It's been completely trouble-free, I just change the batteries on the first of every even-numbered year.

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/3381/ELEC-ET8215CR.html

I couldn't help myself MEP! $193 at zoro plus the ever present discount will get it below $160
https://www.zoro.com/intermatic-timer-7-day-spst-120-to-277vac-30a-et8215cr/i/G6403144/?q=Intermatic+ET8215CR


I had an astronomic in the past that was quite complicated to program. I think it was a 365 day model. This would be much easier to program. I keep waiting for my photocell to die so I can replace it with an astronomic but in all honesty with a little help from some electrical tape it works almost perfectly. It still comes on during some really dark rainy days though.

 

[MEP001]

I didn't have any trouble setting it, it would have been impossible to figure out without the instructions since you have to set your approximate latitude but the on/off times are easy to set and adjust. I had the majority of the lights come on 20 minutes before sunset and off at sunrise, and the back row of bay lights on at sunset and off at midnight. That part was simple.

I think I paid $160 for it from 1000bulbs about six years ago.