Cheap Intermatic FD30MH 30-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, Ivory

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Perfect for bath fan, so instead of the kids not using the fan or leaving it on forever, they can set it for 20 mins and forget about it. And I save on the heating bill. Now if it could only get them OUT of the shower in 20 mins.

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Intermatic FD30MH 30-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer

We now have six Intermatic spring-loaded timer in our house all on fans. It seems to be the same quality and design as earlier models. E.g., the mini cover plate; the plastic piece with "OFF" & "30 Minutes" printed on it works on both kinds of wall plates; the standard version with a 7/16" wide x 1" high hole for a switch handle to protrude through, and the more modern "Decora" plates (see Customer Images) that have the much larger hole.

These are NOT totally silent timers. Listen carefully and you can hear the timer gears whirring. That's fine if it controls a fan, but, if it's for a light in a quiet room, the sound is more obvious. Also, there's an obvious snap when it shuts off. For a silent timer, consider a product such as the Woods 59007 Decora Style 30-15-10-5 Minute Preset Wall Switch Timer, White, 30-Minute

This timer/switch can be installed in a single gang electric box or a multi-gang (double box, triple box, or more).

If the wall plate is the thin type (like our stainless steel plates), it will work well with this timer. You might have trouble with the switch handle not poking out far enough on thicker plates, such as ceramic.

The timer itself has no external wires (see Customer Images). You simply tighten the hot lead under the bottom connect and the lamp or fan wire under the top connector. (Reversing these two wires on the timer works just as well and is perfectly safe.)

Some reviews on similar Intermatic timers say their device won't cut power by turning the knob fully counter-clockwise; i.e., they still have to wait for the timer to complete. If yours doesn't work as below, return it immediately for a refund. Mine works as it should -i.e., turn the knob:

clockwise to turn the power on (a bathroom fan in my case) to a set time

fully clockwise to hold the power on until you turn it off

counter-clockwise to reduce the time remaining

fully counter-clockwise to turn power off

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When my old Broan timer for a bathroom fan failed I order this one. What a mistake! Unit arrived and is missing a "pressure plate". Intermatic supplies no phone number on the instructions or package. Go to their web site and they have a number ( not toll free) and they put you through menu hell. This model # isn't even on their voice menu. When I finally did talk to a service rep (Eric) he insist that the pressure plates and screws are already in the switch. They're not. They're in the bag and one pressure plate is missing. When I ask if he can send one out to me he says no; I need to return it to my place of purchase. So back to Amazon this switch goes.

Next time I think I'll stick with another brand and avoid Intermatic.

[Interesting to see that this switch is made in Tunisia. Maybe if they didn't try to save 30 cents it could be made here in America and the rep would have parts on hand. Just a thought. I guess it is better than seeing EVERYTHING you buy made in China.]

And the instructions are not very good. There is no parts list to let you know what you should have in the bag.

Update: While Intermatics quality control and customer service leaves something to be desired, Amazon.com makes up for it and that's why I shop here so often. I went on-line and asked for a replacement. There was a hitch in the web site but they called me right away and I had the replacement timer on my door less than 19 hours after requesting a replacement!! This is an unbeatable level of customer service and is probably the reason I'm a loyal Amazon customer.