a digital hard wired timer for two outside lights
 

can I wire 2 outside lights in a row from the timer

Probably need a bit more information.

I want to put a light on each side of my garage. Can I bring power from a close plug to power the timer. If so can I wire the two lights in a row after that. Im not sure about the red wire.

Really need to know what timer you are talking about. As for wiring the lights, they would be wired in a Parallel setup, so that if one bulb burns out, the other light keeps working. Basically the timer would be wired in place of the wall switch. Even better, just go with a Dusk to Dawn & motion setup on the lights.

Problem with a timer, if someone is watching the place, and the lights are always on and off at the same time, with no change in them turning off after a period, it can clue them in that the place is not staffed, or that no one is home.

If it's one of those timers that takes the place of a light switch, just make sure you don't exceed it's rating. Most likely those would be rated at 15 amps, but double check. Of course check the instructions in case it specificly says it's only for one light but can't see why they'd have such limitation, especially with CFLs and LED using much less power.

Funny since I've been thinking I'd like to eventually do the same with my garage, add two lights with a timer. I already have a timer for the Christmas light outlet so I'd just tie the lights from that outlet.

There are still a lot of digital timers on the market that are labeled incandescent only.
That means no CFL’s or LED’s.
Need to read the package before you buy.

There are now randomized timers for exactly that reason. I looked at them a few weeks ago and ended up with a mechanical one, can't recall why. Probably cost and availability.

Regarding the question on hard wiring to two lights in a row. I havn't purchased the timer yet. It is just a hard wired digital timer you would get at Lowes or Home Depot. It has a black a white a ground and a red wire. The two lights are just porch lights I'm going to put on either side of my garage. I don't want dusk to dawn. There is no motion sensor on it. I want to set it to come on and off when I tell it. Could someone show me a digram of power to the timer,wiring from the timer with the red wire and how the wire connects to the both lights.

The timer should have a wiring diagram.

A word of warning...digital timers do not like to be installed in outside walls due to cold.

That's good to know... mine is in my garage, which is not insulated and hits -40. :eek:

When I eventually insulate it then it wont be so bad, I'll probably put heat in there to at least keep it above zero.

Any recommendations on a decent timer that can replace a light switch and turn lights on and off at the same times each day? I just searched and there are many options.

Something like this?

http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...d=0CIYBEPMCMAI

or this:

http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...ed=0CEIQ8wIwAA

How much room do they take up in the box? This would be in the center of a 3 gang box. Sorry for asking in your thread. I can remove this if you'd like.

We use a lot of the GE branded ones from Home Depot. Seem to work pretty well.

They are huge. Plus unless you are all Decora you can't put it in the middle.