APC Wall Outlet Multi Plug Extender, P4GC

Works okay as a timer but the internal power backup doesn’t work properly on mine. According to the documentation it’s supposed to retain programming during a power outage but as soon as I unplug it from the wall the screen goes blank and the unit won’t work until the reset is pushed. Made in China.

I’ve got four of the “power strip” versions of this device that work great.

***Update Jan 2013***
Normally I don’t take the time and trouble to obtain warrantee service on a product in this price range, but since the package had an internet address I thought I’d give it a try. I sent an email to Snyder Electric, apparently the owner of APC, and their response was same day. They agreed to send a replacement timer with no hassle at all and it arrived in less than one week. The timer has worked fine for the last two weeks. So, for customer service the way it should be I am raising my rating to five stars. I will purchase APC again in the future too.

Guys, a word of caution; this might be a good device, but, the programming portion of this a nightmare.
I have worked in IT for the past 20 years, but when coming to simply programming this for simply turning off between the hours of 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM, I have found this task to be impossible. Here is why.

First; there is no logic built into the programming. For example, It should have a setting for AM vs PM. This unit does not; so you can never tell; if you are turning it off for day or night. The display is extremely small and confusing. It shouldn’t be rocket science to program this thing but looks like APC didn’t think when they were building this thing as to how the end user will program this.

I have spent the 5 hours playing with different settings, and I think I am at a loss.

Because there is poor or no logic in the programming, it leaves you with ‘guessing’ what its suppose to do.

For example; I want this thing to be ON all the time except between 1:00 AM, to 6:00 AM, i want it to be OFF, the programming logic does “NOT” let you do this. (or I haven’t found a way to do this)

The little manual that comes with it is worthless; it simply tells u ON positions and OFF positions but doesn’t explain the logic. Why in the world would I need an ON position? That should be the default; I am only concerned with when I want it to turn OFF. If I turn the ON position and (DO NOT set the OFF position) what happens between those times?

I want online for help, nothing. I wanted to contact APC technical support; they said, they are in the “OFF” position on weekends. All in all; I might use this as a surge protector but its a JOKE when it comes to programming it; because of the poor logic.

Good luck guys and stay away.

I bought this unit as i wanted to have different timers for each outlet per their product description on amazon ie. “4 Timer-Controlled Outlets can be programmed to turn on-or-off throughout the day” Buyer beware no returns accepted … and when you open the product it says “timer mode allows the user to program the time that all four outlets as a group will turn on and off”.

As above. I have 2 of these, and bought one for my Mom. I use mine to turn off my network gear at night until I wake up.

The plastic is fairly sturdy and well-built. It doesn’t sit particularly well in the AC outlet unless you screw it down, with the included screw.

The timer works, but the LCD display is so tiny, you may need a magnifying glass to see it. Programming it is an awful experience. It’s confusing, and I had to keep referring back to the instructions (also tiny) to do so.

It “forgets” Daylight Savings Time changes and therefore turns on an off at the wrong time when seasons change. That means more pain reprogramming it with the tiny display and confusing interface.

All that said, when programmed properly, in between DST changes it does seem to work well, and it has protected my gear against at least one surge.

IF only this had a larger, easier to read LCD display and was easier to program, it would be fabulous. There is no similar product like it. Please, APC, improve this, and you’d have a big winner, with no competition in this category.

I selected this surge protector because it has a high amount of joules and phone jacks for my landline phone.
It also provides multiple ports for plugging in other electrical devices. It’s nice to have it handy on a wall outlet
without all the extra clutter and cord on the floor of a typical surge protector. You also know it’s working when
the green light is on. Someday when that goes out and the light is red, you’ll need to replace it because it
will have used up the life of it’s joules, but it worked hard for you protecting your equipment. It’s a good soldier!

The item works great, but with no backlight and very small screen and high, shadow-making frame it is very hard to read the screen.
The programming flexibility is wonderful, with ability to start one day ad a certain time and turn off the next day at a certain time. The duration of the ON time is not a number of hours, but you set the start day and time and then the OFF day and time. You can do this for up to 8 different programs that will each run.
Note that the times have to have both the Hour and Minute set… no “–” to make it work.
This is not for use on a power strip. It is for mounting on the wal to replace the cover of a two outlet box.
I would give it 5 stars if not for the difficult to read screen. However, if this is to be a setting that you seldom change or if you have better eyes than me, I’d get it.