Mechanical Timer Warning

I've used a mechanical timer on my tank lights since I've had it.
In preparation for my new tank arriving, I went to Homebase to pick up a
pack.
However, all the mechanical, and most of the digital timers had warnings on
them saying not to be used with fluorescent lights.
Why ?

Or do they mean the old style ballast with a start up routine/flicker
whatever ?

Peter

2pods wrote:
> I've used a mechanical timer on my tank lights since I've had it.
> In preparation for my new tank arriving, I went to Homebase to pick up a
> pack.
> However, all the mechanical, and most of the digital timers had warnings on
> them saying not to be used with fluorescent lights.
> Why ?

Probably for the same reason my last optical mouse came with a lead
warning attached to the cord... The average intelligence level of the
world is in steady decline.

It sounds like they just don't want people buying them for non-self
starting flourescent lights because they won't work without modifying
the switch.