BN-LINK 12 Hour Indoor Mechanical Accurate Countdown Timer, 3-Prong Grounded Outlet, 15 Minute Increments, Energy Saving for Kitchen, Phone Charger, Lamps, Holiday Decoration 1875W, 1/2 HP, ETL Listed

This timer is just what I had been looking for. A simple,reliable, countdown timer switch to control mains voltage to various devices. My primary usage is to control charging time to rechargeable devices such as: cell phones, electric shavers, or any rechargeable electronic device. Just set the ON time on the timer, plug in the device's charging adapter, and plug in the timer. No more overcharging and hopefully longer lasting batteries.I chose this timer over an electronic timer because its design is based on reliable existing ON/OFF mechanical cycle timers. If there is a momentary interruption of power the timer just turns on at its time setting before power interruption, or worst case the timer turns on in the OFF state and the timer wheel must be reset. Electronic timers sometimes do not do well with momentary power interruption and may come on in an undesired ON state that may last for hours. When the timer shuts OFF no more power is drawn. No phantom load like with an electronic timer when OFF. Almost any load can be timed up to 1/2 HP, 15 amp resistive, or tungsten lamps up to 8 amps. Timing range is 15 minutes to 12 hours in 15 minute increments. These ranges are another plus over electronic timers.The timer must reset for each use as time settings are not remembered. This is not an issue for me because each time I use is different depending on what I an powering/recharging. The device is also silent when operating, even when right next to it. The only noise is when the timer finishes and there is a slight click as the internal relay releases.I have two of these and will be getting more to use with unattended fans, heaters, and a coffee maker.Update: August 15, 2016I now have three of these timers and they are great!The last one received will be dedicated as a travel timer to time charging of my smartphone, laptop, Kindle Reader, electric razor, and a small rechargeable flashlight..I also have a small extension cord with a three receptacle end so up to three devices with similar charge rimes and be plugged in together to the timer. I am hoping that using a timed charge will decrease stress on the batteries and extend their lives and devices lives that have non-replaceable batteries. I hate disposable electronics that is junk simply because the battery died. One of my electric razors died a early death due to overcharging the battery ($90, ouch).

A little tricky at first to figure out how it works, but once you've done that it is very easy to use. I use it to charge my car. My car is supposed to stop charging automatically anyway, but I don't want it charging in the garage while i am sleeping upstairs. Thus I set it to turn off at 9:30. It works great.

During the past couple of months, I have purchased some cordless equipment (a vacuum cleaner, line trimmer and blower) from Amazon, which requires recharging of their batteries fairly often. In order to prevent their batteries from possibly overcharging, I purchased 2 of theses timers, one for the vacuum cleaner battery and the other for the outdoor equipment batteries. They work fine and I would recommend them to other customers.

I have no operational problems with this product. I'be been needing this kind of timer for a while because I may forget to turn off my soldering iron or space heater. This way, if I get distracted and leave my work room I know thing's won't be running overnight.However, the only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the interface looks bass awkward to me. It would have made more sense to have the arrow/pointer be more prominent AND on the outer dial. That would make it easier to gauge just from the knowing where that arrow is relative to the unit. This way I pretty much have to get in close to see the dial and 'look' for the hour I need. To add to the awkwardness is the fact the arrow points off at 45 degrees.... I mean, it's going to be oriented at 45 after you plug it in. It would have made more sense to me to just make it point to the top. But hey, maybe these are pet peeves and if that does't bother you, like I said this is reliable and gets the job done.So all in all, a great product if you don't mind the design of the number/dial.