Titan Controls Apollo 9 – Two Outlet Digital Timer

The Titan Controls Apollo 9 is a 24-hour digital timer with two grounded outlets and a 15-amp capacity. It accepts 1-minute programming intervals and supports up to 8 separate on/off schedules per day, making it straightforward to automate pumps, fans, lights, CO2 equipment, or any combination of 120V grow-room loads. A built-in battery backup retains all programmed schedules through a power outage, and the enclosure is designed to resist dust, rust, and moisture — conditions common in active hydroponic environments.

Apollo 9 Digital Timer Specifications

All values are sourced from the manufacturer’s canonical product data (SKU HGC734105).

Specification	Value
Brand	Hawthorne Garden Company (Titan Controls)
Model / SKU	Apollo 9 / HGC734105
Outlets	2 grounded outlets
Maximum Load	15 Amps
Input Voltage	120V / 60 Hz
Timer Type	24-hour digital
Minimum Interval	1 minute
Schedules per Day	Up to 8 independent on/off events
Battery Backup	Yes — retains programming during outages
Enclosure Rating	Dust, rust, and moisture resistant
Weight	1.50 lb

Why Choose the Titan Controls Apollo 9

The Apollo 9 addresses a straightforward need: reliable, programmable control of 120V grow-room equipment without unnecessary complexity. Here is what distinguishes it from a basic mechanical outlet timer.

• Two outlets on a single unit. Both outlets share the same programmed schedule, so you can run two loads — for example a water pump and an air pump — from a single timer position in your power strip or surge protector.
• 1-minute programming resolution. Mechanical timers typically step in 15- or 30-minute increments. The Apollo 9 allows programs as short as 1 minute, which matters for timed flood-and-drain cycles and interval-based misting systems where precise timing affects root health.
• Up to 8 schedules per day. A single 24-hour period can include up to 8 independent on/off events. This is useful when equipment needs to run in multiple short windows throughout the day rather than one long continuous block.
• Battery backup. If power is interrupted — whether from a tripped breaker, a brief grid outage, or unplugging during maintenance — the Apollo 9 retains all programmed schedules. The equipment will resume its programmed cycle when power is restored, without requiring you to reprogram from scratch.
• Enclosure designed for grow-room conditions. The housing resists dust, rust, and moisture. Hydroponic environments generate humidity, water splash, and airborne particulate; a timer that degrades quickly in those conditions becomes a recurring replacement cost.

Best Uses for the Apollo 9 Digital Timer

The Apollo 9 fits situations where you need flexible digital scheduling for one or two 120V loads. It is not a multi-zone controller — it switches both outlets simultaneously on the same schedule. For most single-crop or small multi-plant setups, that constraint is rarely limiting.

• Flood-and-drain (ebb and flow) systems. Set precise flood intervals — for example, 15 minutes on every 3 hours — with 1-minute resolution. Run the pump on one outlet and an alert buzzer or secondary aerator on the second outlet simultaneously.
• Reservoir and recirculating pump schedules. NFT, DWC top-off pumps, and drip systems benefit from scheduled rest periods. The 8-event-per-day capacity gives you enough events to run shorter cycles during peak daylight hours and longer rest periods overnight.
• Fan and ventilation cycling. Running inline fans or clip fans on timed intervals rather than continuously can reduce energy consumption and stabilize canopy temperature. Pair it with a fan like the Active Air HD pedestal fan on one outlet to cycle airflow on a set schedule.
• CO2 burner or generator control. CO2 equipment typically needs to run only during lights-on periods and in short bursts. The multiple-event-per-day scheduling allows CO2 pulses to be staggered throughout the photoperiod.
• Auxiliary lighting in propagation areas. Supplemental CFL or small LED panels in cloning or seedling trays can be kept on a separate photoperiod from the main canopy by using a dedicated timer like the Apollo 9.
• Backup for multi-outlet controllers. If a primary environmental controller fails, the Apollo 9 can stand in as a manual failsafe to keep critical equipment running on a fixed schedule until the controller is repaired or replaced.

Apollo 9 vs Similar Digital Timers

The Apollo 9 sits between a basic mechanical outlet timer and a dedicated environmental controller. Understanding where it fits helps you decide whether it is the right tool or whether a more capable unit makes sense for your setup.

Apollo 9 vs a mechanical outlet timer. Mechanical timers use a rotating dial with physical pegs set at fixed intervals — usually 15 or 30 minutes. They have no battery backup, so a power outage resets the clock. The Apollo 9 offers 1-minute intervals, up to 8 events per day, and retains programming through outages. The trade-off is a slightly higher purchase price and a small learning curve on the digital interface. For any application where interval precision matters, the digital unit is the practical choice.

Apollo 9 vs a multi-outlet environmental controller. A unit like the Autopilot PX2 lighting controller manages multiple independent circuits, often with separate schedules per outlet group, and may include thermostat or hygrostat logic. The Apollo 9 does none of that — both outlets run the same schedule, and there is no sensor input. If your grow room needs independent schedules for lights, pumps, and fans on separate circuits, a dedicated controller is the appropriate tool. The Apollo 9 is the right choice when the goal is simple, reliable scheduling for one load type (or two loads that always run together) at a lower cost.

Apollo 9 vs the Titan Controls Apollo 7. The Apollo 7 is Titan Controls’ single-outlet digital timer in the same product family. The Apollo 9 adds a second outlet, which is useful when two pieces of equipment need identical scheduling — for example, two pumps in separate reservoirs or a pump and an air stone running on the same flood cycle. If you only need to control one device, the Apollo 7 is the simpler and slightly less expensive option. If you want to avoid occupying two separate timer slots in your power strip, the Apollo 9’s dual outlets make it the more space-efficient choice.

Compatibility

The Apollo 9 operates on standard North American 120V / 60 Hz power. It handles up to 15 amps, which covers the large majority of individual grow-room loads including pumps, fans, HID ballasts up to roughly 1,000W (depending on ballast power factor), and LED drivers.

The timer is a plug-in unit — it connects between your wall outlet or power strip and the device being controlled. It does not require hardwiring or any special installation beyond plugging in. The two outlets accept standard three-prong (grounded) plugs.

What it is compatible with:

• Submersible and inline water pumps rated up to 15A / 120V
• Inline duct fans, clip fans, and pedestal fans rated for 120V
• HID ballasts (MH and HPS) and LED drivers on 120V circuits
• CO2 generators and burners rated for 120V
• Any resistive or inductive 120V / 60 Hz load within the 15A limit

Limitations: The Apollo 9 is not rated for 240V equipment. It does not provide independent schedules for each outlet — both outlets switch together. It is not a thermostat or hygrostat controller; scheduling is time-based only, with no sensor input. For humidity-driven control, a separate humidistat or environmental controller would be needed alongside this timer.

If you need to maintain stable humidity conditions in conjunction with timed equipment, a dedicated humidistat controller can be used on a separate circuit while the Apollo 9 handles time-critical pump or fan cycles.

Usage Guidelines

The Apollo 9 supports 24-hour scheduling with 1-minute interval resolution. Setting it up involves three decisions: which events you want, how many events per day, and whether you need battery-backed retention during outages (which is automatic — no settings required).

Planning your schedule. The timer supports up to 8 on/off events per 24 hours. Each event consists of an on-time and an off-time. For flood-and-drain systems, a typical configuration might be 4–6 events spaced evenly across the day during lights-on, with the pump off during the dark period. For fan cycling, 2–4 events may be sufficient. Sketch your intended schedule before programming to make the process faster.

Load considerations. The 15-amp maximum is a total across both outlets. If you are running two loads simultaneously, their combined amperage must not exceed 15A. For reference, a 1/2 HP submersible pump typically draws 5–8A; a 4-inch inline fan draws 0.5–1.5A; a 1,000W HPS ballast draws approximately 9A on 120V. Do not use this timer for 240V equipment.

Battery backup behavior. The battery backup preserves your programmed schedule if power is cut. When power is restored, the timer resumes from the correct point in the 24-hour cycle based on its internal clock. The battery does not power the outlets — it only maintains the clock and memory.

Troubleshooting note. If the timer is not functioning correctly after a power event or transport, plug it into a live outlet for 5 minutes and then press the reset button. According to the manufacturer, this resolves most operational issues with the unit.

How to Set Up the Apollo 9 Digital Timer

1. Set the current time. Before programming schedules, set the timer’s internal clock to the current time of day. This establishes the reference point for all on/off events. Use the mode or clock button (refer to the included instruction sheet) and step through hours and minutes.
2. Enter programming mode. Press the program or timer button to enter schedule programming. The display will prompt you to enter the first on-time event.
3. Set Event 1 on-time. Use the hour and minute buttons to set the time you want the outlets to switch on for the first event. Confirm with the appropriate button to advance to the off-time entry.
4. Set Event 1 off-time. Enter the time you want the outlets to switch off for Event 1. Confirm to save the first on/off pair. The timer will advance to Event 2 entry if you wish to add more events.
5. Repeat for additional events. The Apollo 9 supports up to 8 on/off events per day. Add as many events as your schedule requires. Events not programmed remain inactive — you do not need to fill all 8 slots.
6. Plug in the controlled device(s). Connect your pump, fan, or other 120V equipment to the two outlets on the timer face. Verify the combined load does not exceed 15 amps.
7. Plug the timer into a wall outlet or power strip. The timer will now switch the connected equipment according to the programmed schedule. Confirm the first expected on-event triggers correctly.
8. If the unit does not respond correctly, leave it plugged in for 5 minutes and press the reset button. Reprogram the clock and schedules after resetting.

Sources & Further Reading