def _getSerialTimeout(self, device):
        """
        Get the serial timeout stored on the hardware device.

        Caution, more that one value returned from the Qik can have the same
        actual timeout value according the the formula below. I have verified
        this as an idiosyncrasy of the Qik itself. There are only a total of
        72 unique values that the Qik can logically use the remaining 56
        values are repeats of the 72.

        :Parameters:
          device : `int`
            The device is the integer number of the hardware devices ID and
            is only used with the Pololu Protocol.

        :Returns:
          The timeout value in seconds.
        """
        num = self._getConfig(self.SERIAL_TIMEOUT, device)

        if isinstance(num, int):
            x = num & 0x0F
            y = (num >> 4) & 0x07
            result = self.DEFAULT_SERIAL_TIMEOUT * x * pow(2, y)
        else:
            result = num

        return result