I took a chance even after I read a review that said the timer didn't work on theirs either. The light stays on all the time. I think I have really just bought a glorified fluorescent light. I have only had it for one day, but my carnivorous plant seems to have responded. The adapter that plugs into the wall gets pretty hot. I am thinking I should have gotten one of the clip lights that cost $8-12 instead. I don't think its worth the $42 bucks. Maybe half that.