They don't work with timers? I never heard that one. Did you try? They need a constant 120V so that is why they don't work with dimmers that produce a "chopped" voltage. (There are some flourescents made to run off of dimmers). They also cannot work off of light sensors that have a gradual turn on/off. I happen to have light sensor that produces a "solid cut on/off" with no intermediate condition so it works fine with the flourescents and I have had one in there for 5 years.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra