Equipment Review and Discussion :: light timer malfunction

[laurapa]

Oliver's light is on a timer--the kind that has a big round clock dial with one green switch and one red switch that you can move around.

The timer is attached to a clamp lamp that has its own switch (which is always set to "on") and it is loaded with a UVA/UVB bulb.

For the past three mornings, at 8:30 when his light is supposed to come on, I've heard the loud CLICK of the green switch being triggered, but the light doesn't turn on. I have to walk over to the tank, turn the clamp lamp's switch to "off" and then back to "on", and poof, the light comes on.

The light turns off on schedule just fine.

Has anybody else had this problem? Is it the timer or the lamp or what? Thanks for your help!

[TheComputerGremlin]

That sounds like the lamp, not the time. Do you have a heat lamp? Does it turn on as well? I have my timer set for both a UVB fixture and a heat fixture, so I know they are both turning on. You can try moving another lamp onto the timer and seeing if it works. It's possible that your clamp lamp just has a short in it, that's what it sounds like.

[Chrisbarnett]

Yeah I agree with compgremlin. Purchase a whole new clamp lamp, thats what I would do. I would be worried about it shorting more than the lamp and causing a fire.

[steve]

Before purchasing a new lamp, I'd want to make sure what was actually wrong. Check to see if that green little tab is seated properly.

[marisa]

I think it's more the timer than the light. The red and green switches make me think you're using an Intermatic timer(?). I'm using one on a MVB light, and the click and timing of the light turning off and going on don't always happen at the same time. Check the green tab as noted and see if it's pushed in all the way.

[laurapa]

Of course! A controlled experiment! Thanks for reminding me to use my head!

I plugged in the filter to the timer and then spun the clock dial around past the red tab and past the green tab. The filter turned off and then back on like it should have.

So it's the lamp.

Oh well, off to the pet store. Thanks for the help!