Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors

Full Overview

The Honeywell RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors helps you save money by ensuring that your lights come on only when you need them. This unit works with incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use. It also works with ceiling fans, bathroom fans, pond pumps, and pool pumps. Featuring three operating modes and seven programs, the 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors allows you to create programs that best suit your lifestyle. Its sleek design fits flush with standard wallplates, while the large screen and backlight provide clear viewing, even at night. Easy to install and equipped with an automatic daylight saving update, this switch works to keep energy costs down even when you're not around.

7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch At a Glance: Seven customizable programs help save money on electricity bills Solar timetable pinpoints local sunrise/sunset times for automated on/off of lights Slim design fits flush with standard wallplates Random mode turns household lights on/off at various times to deter potential break-ins Compatible with motors and all types of lighting

The 7-Day Solar Time Table flexible programming allows you to create up to seven programs per week.

The display features simple and easy to read information at a glance. View larger.

Three Modes Offer Variety and Security
Save money on your energy bills with the Honeywell 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors. With its three different operating modes, you can customize your system to best suit your lighting needs. The automatic mode turns lights on at sunset and off at sunrise using the solar timetable or you can choose fixed hours to avoid having the lights on all night, while the manual setting lets you use it as a conventional switch. For extra security, the random mode works by turning lights on and off inside the house while you're on vacation. This simulates an active household, discouraging potential break-ins and giving you peace of mind while you're away.

Includes Seven Customizable Programs
The 7-Day Solar Time Table flexible programming allows you to create up to seven programs per week. A single program can apply to one day or the entire week. Whether you want living room lights off during the day, or patio lights on after sunset, Honeywell provides you with numerous customizable options for incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting systems.

A handy manual override allows you to turn the light on or off without affecting the current program. For added convenience, this switch also automatically adjusts for daylight saving time so you don't have to worry about reprogramming.

Activate Lights with Solar Timetable Function
When you enter your home's latitude and longitude, the Solar Time Table switch calculates the sunrise and sunset times for each day of the year. The program automatically turns your lights on and off with the daylight, so you always have light when it's most useful. The switch also gives you the option of adjusting lights up to an hour before actual sunrise or sunset, ideal for places where trees block the majority of natural light.

Slim Design and Simple Installation
Thanks to its compact design, the Solar Time Table Programmable Switch adds a sleek and subtle touch to your room. It measures a slim 2-7/10 by 1-7/10 by 1-7/10 inches (H x W x D) for a flush fit in any standard decorative wallplate. The intuitive three-button interface makes it simple to create your programming schedule, providing a wide screen and backlight for easy viewing day or night. An LED offers you quick confirmation of its on/off status. Its large backlit screen comes with the option to stay lit up on low intensity as a nightlight and turns on its high intensity when you press either of the buttons. It installs easily with its line, neutral and load wire connection.

An Way to Save Money
Because the Solar Time Table works automatically, you can save money on your energy bills with the push of a button. The programming limits unnecessary use of lights, giving you more control over how much electricity you consume. Your household becomes more , and you get longer-lasting lights.

Warranty Information
The Honeywell 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors is supported by a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Switch, wire connectors and instructions.

The compact design of the Solar Time Table Programmable Switch adds a sleek and subtle touch to your room.

Technical Details

- Easy installation and flexible seven-day programming
- Designed for versatility the Econoswitch works with motors and all types of lighting
- Easy to install and program, comes with clear instructions and labeled wires
- Easy intuitive 3-button interface, with backlit easy-to-ready display
- Automatic Daylight Saving Time update - no need to reprogram

The Honeywell RPLS740B has some key features I was looking for:

1. Compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs (this timer even works with electric motors).

2. Has the option of turning on or off at either a certain time or at dawn or dusk. It keeps track of the time of year so that it knows when dawn and dusk are.

3. Adjusts for daylight saving time automatically (although it may eventually be a few days off if they change the dates for daylight saving time again).

4. Keeps its programming and the correct time and date during power outages.

5. Has no batteries to wear out (more about this below).

These features let me set it up once and then leave it alone. Of course, it's easy to override it if needed. Just press the main button to turn the lights on or off. The timer will stay programmed and resume automatic operation when it is time to turn on or off automatically again.

Some of the literature on this product says that it has a backup battery to keep the programming set up and the clock running during power outages. At first, I was concerned that the timer might need to be replaced when the backup battery wears out. Even a rechargeable battery only lasts so long. I carefully opened the unit to see if the battery is user-replaceable. I was pleasantly surprised to see that instead of a battery, it has a 0.22-Farad super-capacitor. A super-capacitor substitutes for a battery, but for all practical purposes, doesn't wear out. I wish more electronic devices would use these.

As with any product that has a mountain of features, it takes a little time to read the instructions and set up the timer. However, the menu system is pretty logical, and was easy to catch onto once I had programmed a few settings. I don't even need the instructions now.

Since the timer has been installed for only a week, I can't really be sure about reliability yet. It appears to be well built, inside and out. So far, it works flawlessly and the time is staying accurate.

It is a little expensive, but it's the lowest-priced timer I could find that has the features I want and has good reviews about working reliably. Also, with the super-capacitor instead of a battery, there's no need to worry about battery replacement.

The timer came via Amazon Super-saver Shipping, and arrived ahead of schedule in just a few days.

This switch is the Honeywell-labeled replacement for the Aube TI071/U. (Aube, a Canadian corporation, was purchased by Honeywell.) I own the Aube-by-Honeywell-labelled switch.

This is an easy install for a homeowner who is comfortable enough with electrical work to know why the wiring comes in different colors, and can identify which side of a circuit is "line" and which side is "load." Also, you must have a neutral (white) wire in the box where you are installing this, or the switch won't work.

The switch benefits from Aube's years of experience in designing programmable thermostats that are easy to use. The initial setup involves determining your local latitude and longitude, which can be determined from Aube's web site or from using Google Maps. (You only need the degrees [such as 45° N or 75°W], not the minutes or seconds, nor any decimals following the degrees.) The date, time, and location are entered, and your preferences regarding when you want to see the backlight, as well as whether your location is affected by daylight savings time. Once this information is entered, you can program up to eight sets of ON and OFF times.

The twist is in the "Solar Time Table" function. Entering latitude and longitude means that the switch calculates sunrise and sunset times for each day of the year, and those times are fairly accurate for your location. Therefore, you can set fixed on and off times for a program, or set ON and/or OFF to local sunset or sunrise. You can also adjust a time to be offset from sunset or sunrise, in ten-minute increments up to an hour either way. For my holiday lights, I want them to come on in the evening a half hour before sunset because our sunset comes earlier due to a ridge a mile west of our home. This switch allows that.

It is also possible to have the switch turn off the lights a stated number of times at random intervals for a set period (got all that?). This is touted as good for vacation periods, though I have not tried it.

In my experience, so-called "photo eyes" sometimes cause lights to come on during the day, or at times when they are not wanted. This switch will not let that happen.

It is remarkable that Aube/Honeywell built such a degree of flexibility into a small package like this. I think this product is very well thought out, and I recommend it.

I ordered this when Amazon offered it for a special discounted price. I believe that the normal price of $45 is too high for the functionality that this offers. Like a lot of people, I would like an easy way to have my outdoor lights come on and off automatically. Normally the problem with timers is that the lights get turned on too early or too late at different times of year due to longer and shorter days, daylight savings time, etc.

This switch does solve that problem, allowing the user to have the lights come on and shut off at times related to sunset and sunrise. I programmed them to come on at 10 minutes after sundown and shut off at 11:30PM. The nice thing is I no longer have to remember to turn the lights on or off. You can also turn them on and off manually, which is good. There is a chart included with latitudes and longitudes of different US and Canadian cities, you can also quickly look your specific coordinates up on the internet.

The screen on the unit is actually tastefully done, and does not look out of place in the wall box next to another decora switch.

So why four stars instead of five? I have just a few nits with this product worth mentioning.

The size of the switch is quite large, and as you will have to retrieve the neutral wires in your outlet box (typically it's a bundle of white wires tied together with a wire nut) it is quite a tight fit. It does not help that the wire leads from the box are a little on the short side.

Second issue is that when the box is "on" and providing lighting functions there is an extremely bright blue LED in the lower right corner that is lit. This light is so bright that it's a bit obnoxious. The screen itself can be dimmed up or down with three settings but the blue LED is always lit when the lights are on.

Third issue is that the mounting screws that come with the box are garbage. I had to uninstall the box once and repack the wiring and the screws were already stripped with just the use of a high quality flat bladed screwdriver. Forget about using a power screwdriver. I ended up pulling the screws from a $2 outlet switch, they were much better. Considering the premium price it would not kill them to provide better install hardware.

All in all though this is a great product. It even has a capacitor backup to preserve the programming during power outages. Very nice.

Length:: 2:01 Mins

Installation was easy (make sure you have a neutral [white] wire in the switch box). Programming was simple; once you know to push-and-hold the main button for three seconds to enter programming mode, you almost don't need the manual at all -- it's that easy and intuitive.

It lost a star because the screws it ships with were made out of very soft metal -- they stripped easily and if I ever need to remove the switch it will be a pain. But as it is right now, it looks great and works as advertised.

I installed the switch, and after interchanging the "line" and "load" wires, got it to work, and could manually
turn the lights on and off. The tough part was to follow the flow chart in the instructions to get it to turn on at sunset and turn off at sunrise. The flowchart tells you how to turn it on at sunset, but drops you there. I finally reasoned it out and got it to turn off at sunrise (at least I THINK it turns off at sunrise -- I'm a late
sleeper, and am never up at that hour). I'd like it to turn ON about 15 minutes after sunset and off about 15 minutes before sunrise, but I sure do not want to screw up something that works, and the flowchart is blank when it
comes to this.

Mind you, I am a retired Electrical Engineer with about 40 years experience, and my relatives and friends give me
watches to set and TV remotes to set up, so I'm pretty good with this sort of thing. What really gets me, is that
we used to test for this sort of thing when I was in the biz, and revised the directions if and when they didn't cover everything a consumer may want to do. It seems a shame to charge $40 or so for a programmable switch, and then have someone go though the time and trouble to return it just because the 2 cent instructions aren't thorough.

Needing to replace aged timers for my home entry lights, I came across the Honeywell as meeting my functional needs and price point. The timers, installed for about a month now, have not disappointed.

We prefer our lights to come on shortly after dusk and turn off about bedtime. The Honeywell tracks the time for sunset and automatically adjusts so the lights come on then; even better, there is a delay option to give some additional flexibility in the programming. The device also tracks the sunrise time, with selectable delay, if you choose to use that in your program. The replaced timer required manual program changes to reflect daylight changes through the year.

Another plus, the timer does not have a minimum wattage, so going to reduced wattage lamps does not affect its operation.

The manual override is somewhat awkward, haven't mastered that yet, nor have I yet tried to impart the timer operation to the spouse (the ultimate test of how simple its operation is).

The install was pretty straightforward, did it myself without any complications. Did need to get a new cover plate for the switches requiring a special trip to the electrical supply house due to the timer configuration. Amazon suggested this purchase with the timer purchase; consider doing this if you want to complete the install in one shot.

The instructions are ok for the install but hard to decipher for the programming, leaving a lot to trial and error. If you're prepared for this, I recommend.

I wanted this because I'm always leaving my outside lights on all day, or forgetting to turn them on at night. It is also useful for peace of mind while away on vacation or if we are out late and not at home to turn the lights on when it gets dark.

My husband and I installed it to replace a switch that controls 4 outdoor lights on CFL bulbs. Although we had no prior knowledge regarding electrical wiring, it was easy to follow the directions and was installed quickly without too much frustration and little research.

This model does require a neutral wire. It is my understanding that the neutral wire charges the back light display/nightlight on the switch. It does NOT have a battery running to it--it is charged through the neutral wire. The plus is there are no batteries to run out.

I don't have a whole lot to add about the quality of this product. It works great and is easy to program. It's well constructed.

I just wanted to put a warning out there for those of you that aren't professional electricians. I've installed a few dimmers, and switches. You have to keep in mind that these timers require quite a bit of depth in the wall box. So if you are trying to install it into a gang of 3 or 4 switches, like I was, it can be pretty difficult to make space in the wall box. You just have to be prepared to redo some of the existing pigtails and wiring in the box.

I thought it might be helpful going in to the project if you had this information. You might be a little better prepared than I was.

Overall, it's a really great product.

I bought this timer switch for four outdoor lights at the front of my house. Each bulb maxing out at 100W, but I currently have CFLs installed.

LIKES

1. I like that you can specify your lat and long coordinates to get precise times for sunrise and sunset. This feature is great since the reason I bought a timer switch is to light up the front of the house when it's dark outside. No need to worry about having the lights turn on too late or too early because of the changing sunrise and sunset times since this thing keeps track of that data. From day 1, it has worked flawlessly. When I come home late from work, the lights are already on lighting up my driveway.

2. Since I live in a community of townhouses, the adjacent buildings often block the sun during sunrise and sunset. Fortunately, this timer has a feature to include an offset in 10 minute increments from the determined sunrise and sunset times. So now I have the lights turn off 10 min after sunrise and 10 min before sunset. Problem solved.

3. It just looks cool. Never thought I would say a light switch was cool, but it is. The build quality seems great. The whole assembly comes in an enclosure so there is no risk in accidental damage to the hardware when you are handling this thing. The interface screen is easy to read and understand. You do have to familiarize yourself with it by reading the instructions.

4. There is a random mode that turns the switch on and off between sunset and sunrise. I haven't used this, but I suppose it adds an extra security factor when you are away from home. It gives the impression that someone is home. Although I don't think it would apply to me since I normally just keep the lights on throughout the night. Having them turn on and off would be abnormal behavior in my case.

5. For the more anal retentive, there is also an option to specify a different setting for each day of the week. A little overkill if you ask me, but more features for extra security. I wonder if I can send a morse code message with this timer.

DISLIKES

1. It is a bit pricey, and it can be argued that you can get by with the less expensive models without all the bells and whistles with this one. If you are a bit anal retentive about when your lights should turn on, then you might not want to compromise. But if you couldn't care less about the extra features, then you will be fine with a cheaper model. I am definitely not using all the features included with this timer, so I may have overpaid.

2. The assembly enclosure is a bit bulky for a normal sized switchbox with a multitude of wires stashed away in the back. You really need to make sure your switchbox is deep enough and to clear the wires behind this switch. I had a two-gang switchbox with a total of 6 wires of each kind (line, load, neutral, and ground). It was a small struggle to get it to fit. I just had to shove all the wires behind the other switch.

CAVEATS

1. My unit's default off time was set to 11:00PM. You have to go to the end of the instruction sheet to set this up to turn off at sunrise if you so desire.
2. You need a neutral wire for this switch to work. This is usually a white wire at the back of the switchbox. The ground wire normally attached to light switches are not required.

RECOMMENDATION
If you plan on using all or at least 90% of the features of this timer switch at some point, then this is the product for you. Otherwise, skip this and save some money with the cheaper models.

This 3 wire timer was really easy to install and I was able to consolidate 2 outdoor switches into this one which controls my 3 CFL lights that are just under 40 watts total. The automatic sunrise/sunset schedule works perfectly with up to +/- 70 minutes adjustment. After comparing the on/off times from the timer to an official sunrise/sunset schedule for Seattle, I found the times to be off by about 10 minutes but no big deal. With the added flexibility of the 70min adjustment, I adjusted the Sunset "On" time +40minutes so the lights turn on just after dark, and -30 minutes on the Sunrise "Off" time so the lights turn off when it's still a little dark as well.

The LCD display has 3 backlight settings, Hi, Low, and Off. There is a tiny blue LED on the bottom right of the switch that is on letting you know your lights or whatever you're controlling are on as well. I didn't find the blue LED to be too bright as mentioned by another reviewer.

Although this switch may seem like an expensive little investment, I imagine it will pay itself off quite quickly in the summer months when I sleep in on the weekends and my lights automatically turn off just before sunrise.