It appears that there are problems with low voltage damaging the ALGE NLG13 and PS12 power supplies. The switching power supply is designed to operate from 100>240 volts AC. In the rest of the world problems do not occur because the nominal 220volts would never dip as far as 100volts. The problem here in North America is that the voltage can dip below 100 volts at ski areas or with people using generators. The power supply gets damaged and it sends defective current to the TIMY. The TIMY does not have as robust a power circuit as the TDC or S4 and gets damaged as well.

Please try to check your AC voltage in your timing building. Put a digital voltmeter on the same circuit that powers the ALGE power supply. Watch the voltage during the day. Do not leave the power supply or TIMY plugged in at night.

A $45.00 UPS from APC or other company might not be a bad idea either. A UPS will squeal if it is not receiving clean power, tipping you off to a problem.

Another idea would be to use the TIMY on the nicad battery pack for as long as you can. Then plug the PS12 power supply in for a brief period to recharge.

If anyone has not done so yet, read Ted Savages' report on power supplys for your clocks.
http://www.allsportsevents.com/Downloads/ACDC1.pdf
Basicalliy it says you should power your timers by straight DC power. In the order of preference this is

Internal Batteries
External Batteries
Transformer from 110 to 12v

I have gotten into the second choice as it lasts longer than the internals. This still provides pure and cleen 12v DC power to the clock. A deep cycle battery with the proper connections can power any popular timer with pure 12v for several days. Smaller 12v rechargable external batteries like the colman powermate are good for a days worth of timing. Forget about the transformer unless you are only recharging, use a battery to power while timing.

[This message was edited by John on February 05, 2004 at 09:26 AM.]

Please try to heed these recommendations. We are getting way to many TIMYs returned for bad power boards.