Plug in timer for dishwasher/washing machine

twiglet98

Also in In My Home

Determined to reduce electricity usage, I have bought a couple of cheap plug in timers from Mr T, intending to use them on the dishwasher and washing machine. Attempting to set up a trial run and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

They are the timers with a dial and little pegs that are pushed down or up depending when the appliance should be on or off. I use one for the fluorescent light in a vivarium, so it's on 7am to 7pm. The kitchen appliances are different, obviously, in that they are only going to be 'on' when a programme is running. I set the timer for the dishwasher to come on in 30 minutes, but all that happened was the power light came on, and the 'End' light, but the
programme didn't start. It's a Bosch machine, permanently switched on at the wall socket which is in the cupboard under the sink. To start a programme I press 'ON' and select the programme button, and it usually starts a few seconds later. Surely I should just press the same buttons and it should kick in when the timer reaches the set time? Am I missing something obvious? Going to try with the washing machine but that is presently in the middle of a 2 hour programme (which I wish was running at Economy 7 rate).

zippychick

This is more suited to the In my home board so ive moved this over for you

ZIP

squeaky

If your machine worked on a clockwork timer it would work as you expect. However, these days most are chip controls and while the power comes on correctly - the computer chip is then "waiting for an instruction" - i.e. somebody to press a button.

CaptainKidd

As squeky says, these wont work the way you want them too, the will work with lamps etc where you leave the switch in the on position but not somthing that needs too be started by pressing a button if that makes sense like you washing maching and tumble dryer.

macman

Many modern dishwashers have a built in timer-have you checked?
Mine has, but I've never used it, so it might not be obvious.

twiglet98

Thank you all for explaining - it should have been obvious... seemed such a good idea too.

My neighbour's Siemens washing machine has the facility to select the time the programme will end - very useful - but my WM and DW are both Bosch and neither has a delay option. I'll certainly look for this feature if I'm ever looking for a new machine. Until then, I guess I'll carry on staying up until 1am (actually I don't even know when Economy 7 applies - I think it's 1am to 7am BST).

googler

twiglet98 wrote: »

To start a programme I press 'ON' and select the programme button, and it usually starts a few seconds later. Surely I should just press the same buttons and it should kick in when the timer reaches the set time? Am I missing something obvious?

Yes.

Pressing the On and Programme buttons only has an effect when power is connected to the machine. Since you've disconnected the power by means of the timer, nothing will happen. The timer has achieved the same as unplugging the machine from the wall. If you unplug it and press the buttons, again, nothing will happen. The timer merely connects and disconnects the power at the pre-determined on and off times. This is fine for something which has no inbuilt electronics, such as a light bulb, but for something with a control unit that relies on power from the mains to execute a command, it won't work.

If your TV is disconnected from the mains, you can't switch it on or off, or change the channel, can you?

27col

It is a completely pointless exercise to put a timer on a W/M or a D/W for reasons already explained. They are programmed to take a specific amount of time for each program. Even if the timer would work(which it won't), why do you think that you you are better informed than the manufacturer as to how long a particular programme should take.

ic

twiglet98 wrote: »

(actually I don't even know when Economy 7 applies - I think it's 1am to 7am BST).

Economy 7 is called that because it runs for seven hours each night. You should be able to find out what time it is configured for by looking on your meter, or contact your supplier.

What time does Economy 7 start?
Economy 7 is usually either 11.00pm to 6.00am, 12.00am to 7.00am or 1.00am to 8.00am - however this can vary according to where you live and your energy supplier. The time will also change when the clocks go back or forward. Contact your provider to check if you are in any doubt.

munchings-n-crunchings

Unless you have storage heaters, it is unlikely that you can consume enough electricity during the cheap ate period, to make up for the increased charge made for the daytime rate.

After running myself ragged, getting up to put second loads in the washer, sticking the dryer on and dishwasher, a phone call to my supplier resolved it.
I changed back to the standard tariff and was just concious about when I used things. Plus, I enjoyed a good nights sleep.

Munchie

Zues

I know this thread is slightly old now but its worth answering still in case anyone else may want it.

I use timers on my Dishwasher and Tumble Dryer. I had the same issue when I set the timers to turn the appliance on between the times of my economy 10 hours (southern elec - 13:00-16:00hrs / 20:00-22:00hrs / 00:00-05:00hrs). The appliance wouldn't turn on because it needed to be manually triggered as explained by the other members here. However, for example, with my Tumble Dryer I start my programme then cut it off by pressing it to auto on the timer. This may depend on what timer you have; let me explain - my timer has an off, on and auto. When 'on' it turns the appliance on regardless of set times. 'Off' is self explanatory - no power and 'auto' sets it to turn on automatically when it hits the time I set for it. However, as we said before, the actual appliance still needs to be turned on for it to work. So, I turn the time dial on my T/D to how long I want the programme to be on for. Then I set my timer to come on when I want it too (delayed for later), then press the select timer button to 'ON', then press the start button on the appliance; the programme will start immediately and my tumble dryer is working then I press the select button on my timer to 'Auto' and it goes off again but will come back on during the delayed time I set earlier. Basically you are telling the chip in the appliance to start but then cutting power to it temporarily using a timer switch. It works on both my T/D and D/W. I don't need it for my W/M as it has a delay built in. I imagine this will only work if you have a timer like mine (Digital and with a select button to cycle throught on, off and auto start)......