Intermatic DT17C 7-Day Heavy-Duty Grounded Programmable Digital Timer

The watch-type backup batteries are small but last a year or so.
The buttons are small, which is a bit of a pain, but it helps keep the whole thing small.

The display is small & hard to read if you have trouble reading read small text close up. I woul dhave liked a bigger display on the face of the unit. But with the display on top, it's easier to read if it's plugged into a wall outlet.

It has only one plug to control one appliance -- I would have liked two. I also wish it didn't paritally cover a second outlet on many extension cords.

Mechanical electric timer controls are easy to find and much cheaper. They generally allow same-every-day programming only and the clock stops if the power goes out. True digital timers are hard to find and cost much more but they give battery backup & flexible programming.

If you need a timer that keeps time during power losses, this one will serve you well.
I've used a half dozen or so of these since this model first came out a couple of years ago. Never had a any problems. Never had problems with the predecessor models either, but the DT17C-7 is smaller.


intermatic digital timer   January 26, 2007
cowboy (WV)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

complicated to program but has many on/off options. by day/by week/by 5 day + 2 day(weekends)/14 programs, self numembered from 1 to #14/random & easy overide with self re-set overide if not turned off. if turned off resumes programming at next schelugeled on & off times. batterey backup for maintaining preset programming. batteries will not power appliance- it maintains timer presets. has handled a thermostat regulated 120v 60Hz 12.5amp 1500watt space heater/on 12/off 12 hrs. per day for 3 months with no signs of overheating or malfunction @ an ambient temperature of 60 to 80 degrees farenheit-60 to 80% humidity-with a very low insect population. programming was a chore but flexibility of timer in options is good. I use it to power a electric heater to keep my walk in closet heated before/after i go/come home from work.


Accurate but somewhat confusing   March 25, 2008
Infra Red (Sandusky, Ohio)
The timer is very accurate and is what I was looking for in a dual time zone digital timer. However, the directions were a bit confusing and it took about a week to get it all figured out and working properly.


Long Lasting DT17   August 15, 2008
shanem46 (Detroit, MI USA)
I purchased an Intermatic timer that looks exactly like this one at Home Depot years ago, when I first saw that digital timers were on the market. This was at least 12 years ago. I liked it so much I bought a second one about 8 months later. The difference I see is that my model is DT17, not DT17C, as is listed here. Perhaps changes were made that lessened product life, perhaps not. Mine were also made in China.

I've used these to turn on cassette recorders, which then start recording automatically. The second one purchased just stopped being able to turn on the recorder. It also had it's backup battery go dead after a year or two. The first timer is still working and has never had to have it's battery replaced!

I've seen that many of these reviews complain about short life, so I thought I would relate my experience with Intermatic timers. It could be that most people who buy a timer that does it's job don't post reviews and only those disappointed at short life do post negative reviews. As I've said, my model with a similar model number looks just like the photos of this timer, the only difference being the "C" on the end.


Does the Job   December 1, 2008
Lawrence S. Taylor (Miami Beach, Florida)
I bought the light timer and used it on a trip to NYC. It does what it promises so I give it an A.