Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17443 in Lawn & Patio
• Brand: Gilmour
• Model: 9400
• Dimensions: 3.25" h x 5.25" w x 5.75" l, .97 pounds

Features

• Electronic key pad is easy to set; digital display indicates program steps and selections
• One week clock repeats cycle every seven days; skip function for watering every 2nd or 3rd day
• Removable electronics for easy programming; manual or timed on/off
• Low battery indicator; requires 4 AA alkaline batteries (not included)
• Swiven nut for easy connection to faucet

Amazon.com Product Description
Incredibly easy to use, this electronic water timer from Gilmour offers four on/off watering cycles per day so your yard looks its best, even during hot summer months. The electronic keypad is a snap to set thanks to the easy-to-read digital display that indicates program steps and selections. The one-week clock repeats the cycle every seven days, or you can choose the skip function for watering every second or third day. There's also a convenient countdown timer running through the duration of each water cycle and the option of manual or timed on/off, so you always control the watering amount and duration.

To help make programming even easier, the electronics are removable (just squeeze the side grips and pull), and the swivel nut allows for a quick connection to the faucet. Change your mind about the program you chose? Select the program override function to temporarily suspend watering. For added convenience, this Gilmour timer runs on four AA batteries (not included) and includes a low battery indicator when power is running low.

From the Manufacturer
Gilmour's quality made easyset electronic water timer has up to 4 cycles per day.

Customer Reviews

Gilmour 9400 water timer
I've used 4 brands of water timers over 21 years for our very large gardens here in Northern California. Only the Gilmour 9400 timer has had the fewest issues in the 10 years I've owned them. Intuitive keypad layout. Removable top for programming. Bugproof too!

Works well, water hammer is indeed a drawback, new(?) version is available
(July 14, 2005) Overall has been very reliable. Works well once you figure out how to program it. Manual override is *very* easy. Ability to remove the control unit from the valve for programming is nice. Electronics are completely isolated from the water valve (internal water leaks have been the bane of other electronic timers I've owned). Biggest gripe is that the valve snaps shut during turnoff, with a resulting loud bang in the water pipe. Other valve designs using a rotating ball valve don't seem to have this issue. Longevity of the diaphragm valve remains to be seen - have only used it for 1.5 seasons so far.

ADDITIONAL INFO: (August 15, 2005) There are apparently two different model 9400 available. I found a different version at one of the major home improvement stores in late July. I originally had the version with the red/green/black programming buttons. The (new?) version is not shown on Gilmour's web site. It uses a ball type valve instead of the diaphragm type - NO MORE WATER HAMMER! This unit also has a different programming interface - I was able to figure out how to program it without having to read the instructions. It retains the easy access to manual override and program suspend, and ability to remove electronic unit from valve base for programming (great for late evening programming when you need to get out from under the house overhang to read the display). So far it's worked great. Only nits are that 1. when valve opens it consistently opens a bit past fully open, which could restrict water flow, although it doesn't seem to be noticeable; 2. when electronics are removed from valve base, valve dial can get out of sync with the electronic module, requiring you to "eyeball" rotate the valve dial into the right position so that the electronics will fit back on the base. This could be resolved if Gilmour would enlarge the keyhole on the timer motor - don't think this would be a problem because the valve always seems to turn the same way. I posted some photos of the new version in the customer images section. So far I'd rate the new model 9400 Five stars.

Gilmour 9400 - Good Design but Other Problems
I can confidently say the Gilmour 9400 Water Timer didn't work for me. In all I purchased 4 of them hoping one of them would work. In the end I returned them all. Each unit would work for a day and then stop. Yes, it made noise like the valve was moving to let the water run. However, nothing happened.

You might honestly wonder why I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 1. It's because I think my water pressure is too high for the Gilmour water timer. (A plumber last year told me the water pressure was above normal in our subdivision.) I did an online search to see if other people had encountered this problem, and I didn't see any reviews of people who did. It makes me suspect our water pressure is an unusual situation and for most people the Gilmour would work fine.

Here is what I liked about the unit:

- Relatively easily to set watering times.
- Have a manual override that doesn't disrupt the previously programmed watering times
- Flexibility in setting water times.

The reason I bought 4 (2 at a time) is I liked the controls so much I kept hoping it was simply I kept getting defective units. I'm almost positive the problem was the water pressure would build up over a day and the unit would stop functioning.

(You can see my review on the Claber 15 Preset Water Timer, which is what I'm now using.)