diff --git a/kmk/extensions/rgb.py b/kmk/extensions/rgb.py
index 3aa31d1..063846a 100644
--- a/kmk/extensions/rgb.py
+++ b/kmk/extensions/rgb.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import neopixel
-from supervisor import ticks_ms
 
 from math import e, exp, pi, sin
 
 from kmk.extensions import Extension
 from kmk.handlers.stock import passthrough as handler_passthrough
 from kmk.keys import make_key
+from kmk.kmktime import PeriodicTimer
 
 rgb_config = {}
 
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ class RGB(Extension):
         self.refresh_rate = refresh_rate
 
         self._substep = 0
-        self._time = ticks_ms()
 
         make_key(
             names=('RGB_TOG',), on_press=self._rgb_tog, on_release=handler_passthrough
@@ -154,7 +153,7 @@ class RGB(Extension):
         return
 
     def during_bootup(self, sandbox):
-        return
+        self._timer = PeriodicTimer(1000 // self.refresh_rate)
 
     def before_matrix_scan(self, sandbox):
         return
@@ -425,9 +424,7 @@ class RGB(Extension):
         if self.animation_mode is AnimationModes.STATIC_STANDBY:
             return
 
-        now = ticks_ms()
-        if self.enable and now - self._time > (1000 // self.refresh_rate):
-            self._time = now
+        if self.enable and self._timer.tick():
             self._animation_step()
             if self.animation_mode == AnimationModes.BREATHING:
                 self.effect_breathing()
@@ -489,7 +486,6 @@ class RGB(Extension):
         self.set_hsv_fill(self.hue, self.sat, self.val)
 
     def effect_swirl(self):
-        print('.', ticks_ms() % 1000, self.animation_speed, self._step)
         self.increase_hue(self._step)
         self.disable_auto_write = True  # Turn off instantly showing
         for i in range(0, self.num_pixels):
diff --git a/kmk/kmktime.py b/kmk/kmktime.py
index 82ed7cd..c4ef99b 100644
--- a/kmk/kmktime.py
+++ b/kmk/kmktime.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from micropython import const
+from supervisor import ticks_ms
 
 _TICKS_PERIOD = const(1 << 29)
 _TICKS_MAX = const(_TICKS_PERIOD - 1)
@@ -13,3 +14,17 @@ def ticks_diff(new, start):
 
 def check_deadline(new, start, ms):
     return ticks_diff(new, start) < ms
+
+
+class PeriodicTimer:
+    def __init__(self, period):
+        self.period = period
+        self.last_tick = ticks_ms()
+
+    def tick(self):
+        now = ticks_ms()
+        if ticks_diff(now, self.last_tick) >= self.period:
+            self.last_tick = now
+            return True
+        else:
+            return False
diff --git a/kmk/modules/pimoroni_trackball.py b/kmk/modules/pimoroni_trackball.py
index addba0d..eec22ca 100644
--- a/kmk/modules/pimoroni_trackball.py
+++ b/kmk/modules/pimoroni_trackball.py
@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@ Extension handles usage of Trackball Breakout by Pimoroni
 Product page: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/trackball-breakout
 '''
 from micropython import const
-from supervisor import ticks_ms
 
 import math
 import struct
 
 from kmk.keys import make_key
+from kmk.kmktime import PeriodicTimer
 from kmk.modules import Module
 from kmk.modules.mouse_keys import PointingDevice
 
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ class Trackball(Module):
         self.mode = mode
         self.previous_state = False  # click state
         self.polling_interval = 20
-        self.last_tick = ticks_ms()
 
         chip_id = struct.unpack('<H', bytearray(self._i2c_rdwr([REG_CHIP_ID_L], 2)))[0]
         if chip_id != CHIP_ID:
@@ -81,16 +80,14 @@ class Trackball(Module):
         )
 
     def during_bootup(self, keyboard):
-        return
+        self._timer = PeriodicTimer(self.polling_interval)
 
     def before_matrix_scan(self, keyboard):
         '''
         Return value will be injected as an extra matrix update
         '''
-        now = ticks_ms()
-        if now - self.last_tick < self.polling_interval:
+        if not self._timer.tick():
             return
-        self.last_tick = now
 
         up, down, left, right, switch, state = self._read_raw_state()