Schedule the East Carport Light and Site Light Timers
The site lights and carport lights should turn ON after sunset and before dark and OFF after dawn and before sunrise.
From Groundhog's Day to May Day, and from the first of August to Halloween, reset the timers every two weeks to keep the on/off times within twilight.
The timer may stay at the same setting for six weeks before and after the solstices.
Location of Controllers
The light controller (timer) for the east carport is on a post at the south end. Unscrew the panel, holding a hand cupped below to catch the screw. Set the screws (3/8" 10/32 thumb screw) inside the box. The site light controller is in a metal box on the wall of the common house inner office.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The screen shows the weekday and time, either OFF or ON, and AUTO.
Press MODE. You may change the setting to manual control if the lights stay off or on all the time.
Press MODE again. The display says CLK. If necessary, reset the current time and press ENTER to save the change.
Press MODE a third time. The display says SCH and ON. If it doesn't say ON, press the ON/OFF button. Adjust the ON time (p.m.) with the HOUR and MINUTE buttons. See the tables for suggested times. Press ENTER. If it doesn't now say OFF, press the ON/OFF button. Adjust the OFF time (a.m.) and press ENTER.
Press MODE a fourth time to leave programming mode.
If already past the time the lights should have come on or turned off, press OVERRIDE to change them manually.
Replace the cover. Tighten the screws gently just until snug, as the cover must be taken off regularly.
Timing
Each day for six weeks either side of the equinoxes, spring sunrise and fall sunset times get earlier by about a minute; fall sunrise and spring sunset times get later. The suggested times allow for two weeks of creep while keeping on/off times within the periods between sunset/dusk and dawn/sunrise.
Spring, Suggested Times
During the spring, ON is 20 minutes after sunset. OFF is 20 minutes before sunrise.
| Date |
On (evening) |
Off (morning) |
| Jan 25 |
5:55 p.m. |
7:25 a.m. |
| Feb 1 |
6:05 p.m. |
7:15 a.m. |
| Feb 8 | 6:10 p.m. |
7:10 a.m. |
| Feb 15 | 6:20 p.m. |
7:00 a.m. |
| Feb 22 | 6:30 p.m. |
6:50 a.m. |
| Mar 1 | 6:35 p.m. |
6:40 a.m. |
| Mar 8 | 6:45 p.m. |
6:30 a.m. |
Daylight Savings Time 2nd Sunday in March.
| Mar 15 | 7:50 p.m. |
7:20 a.m. |
| Mar 22 | 8:00 p.m. |
7:05 a.m. |
| Mar 29 | 8:05 p.m. |
6:55 a.m. |
| Apr 5 | 8:15 p.m. |
6:45 a.m. |
| Apr 12 | 8:20 p.m. |
6:35 a.m. |
| Apr 19 | 8:30 p.m. |
6:25 a.m. |
| Apr 26 | 8:40 p.m. |
6:15 a.m. |
| May 3 | 8:45 p.m. |
6:05 a.m. |
| May 10 | 8:55 p.m. |
5:55 a.m. |
Fall, Suggested Times
During the fall, ON is at sunset and OFF is at sunrise.
| Date |
On (evening) |
Off (morning) |
| Aug 3 |
8:40 p.m. |
6:25 a.m. |
| Aug 10 | 8:30 p.m. |
6:35 a.m. |
| Aug 17 | 8:20 p.m. |
6:40 a.m. |
| Aug 24 | 8:10 p.m. |
6:45 a.m. |
| Aug 31 | 8:00 p.m. |
6:55 a.m. |
| Sep 7 | 7:50 p.m. |
7:00 a.m. |
| Sep 14 | 7:40 p.m. |
7:05 a.m. |
| Sept 21 | 7:25 p.m. |
7:15 a.m. |
| Sep 28 |
7:15 p.m. |
7:20 a.m. |
| Oct 5 | 7:05 p.m. |
7:30 a.m. |
| Oct 12 | 6:50 p.m. |
7:35 a.m. |
| Oct 19 | 6:40 p.m. |
7:45 a.m. |
| Oct 26 | 6:30 p.m. |
7:50 a.m. |
| Nov 2 |
6:20 p.m. |
8:00 a.m. |
MST first Sunday in November.
| Nov 9 |
5:15 p.m. |
7:05 a.m. |
Print copy for carport box on waterproof paper.
Instructions by Kay Argyle, rev. October 24, 2022.
No Comments