But if it's an equal 12 hour cycle (and most likely not), you're losing the "ramp" each time you start the miners back up the next day. Wouldn't be the smartest thing to do IMO, but if you're short on cash, you're short on cash.
You gradually gain it, then gradually lose it, effectively cutting your hash rate in half (in your example). But at least you get a consistent return (unlike faster ramp time pools). Since business courses always train managers to utilize fixed costs as much as possible (for example running 3 shifts because the building costs pretty much the same empty or full), I think that running 24x7 is the best option to maximize the return on your investment in miners. But yes, if you are short on cash to pay your power, it is an option.
Yep, we agree...let them mine 24/7 or at least a little bit during the day so you're building up that 5nd slowly but surely.