Switch timer

QrizB

inigma said:

Newbie_John said:

Could you show us what timer switch you purchased? This is just for safety - as water heaters are 3kW and lights much less so you need to be sure that it will cope with it.

Hey, my neighbour recommended this, I will tell it to switch on and off for an hour in the morning and afternoon.
https://mydome.co.uk/products/light-switch-timer/

That's a clever idea; it fits over the existing switch and turns it on and off, rather than replacing it.

Needs batteries, though, which is a bit of a drawback.

Hope it fits and works OK!

victor2

QrizB said:

inigma said:

Newbie_John said:

Could you show us what timer switch you purchased? This is just for safety - as water heaters are 3kW and lights much less so you need to be sure that it will cope with it.

Hey, my neighbour recommended this, I will tell it to switch on and off for an hour in the morning and afternoon.
https://mydome.co.uk/products/light-switch-timer/

That's a clever idea; it fits over the existing switch and turns it on and off, rather than replacing it.

Needs batteries, though, which is a bit of a drawback.

Hope it fits and works OK!

So long as the switch itself isn't to hard to "switch". Heavier duty switches can require a bit more force than general light switches.
Does look relatively simple to install though.

Bendo

victor2 said:

This is something I'm considering for a heated towel rail, if you wanted to go smart...
CHOSRY WiFi Fused Spur Timer Switch for electric towel rails, heating, and lighting https://amzn.eu/d/aLvnL9W

Spend a bit more on a reputable brand e.g. https://www.ledbulbs.co.uk/products/timeguard-wi-fi-controlled-fused-spur-tuya-edition-fstwifitu

QrizB

Bendo said:

victor2 said:

This is something I'm considering for a heated towel rail, if you wanted to go smart...
CHOSRY WiFi Fused Spur Timer Switch for electric towel rails, heating, and lighting https://amzn.eu/d/aLvnL9W

Spend a bit more on a reputable brand e.g. https://www.ledbulbs.co.uk/products/timeguard-wi-fi-controlled-fused-spur-tuya-edition-fstwifitu

  I cheaped out and fitted one of these (but the Zigbee version). So far it's worked OK. I do agree that Timeguard are a reputable brand and a safer bet.

victor2

QrizB said:

Bendo said:

victor2 said:

This is something I'm considering for a heated towel rail, if you wanted to go smart...
CHOSRY WiFi Fused Spur Timer Switch for electric towel rails, heating, and lighting https://amzn.eu/d/aLvnL9W

Spend a bit more on a reputable brand e.g. https://www.ledbulbs.co.uk/products/timeguard-wi-fi-controlled-fused-spur-tuya-edition-fstwifitu

  I cheaped out and fitted one of these (but the Zigbee version). So far it's worked OK. I do agree that Timeguard are a reputable brand and a safer bet.

The guys who did our bathroom fitted a similar WiFi  one of those. I was convinced it was messing with my WiFi and after a month or so it tripped the RCD and never worked again...

Gerry1

Bendo said:

Spend a bit more on a reputable brand e.g. https://www.ledbulbs.co.uk/products/timeguard-wi-fi-controlled-fused-spur-tuya-edition-fstwifitu

Not very reputable when its minimum operating voltage is above the permitted minimum UK mains voltage !

Scot_39

inigma said:

Newbie_John said:

Could you show us what timer switch you purchased? This is just for safety - as water heaters are 3kW and lights much less so you need to be sure that it will cope with it.

Hey, my neighbour recommended this, I will tell it to switch on and off for an hour in the morning and afternoon.

https://mydome.co.uk/products/light-switch-timer/

That's one way to avoid paying for an electrician.

As it looks like it just physically sits over and switches the existing switch.

That link talks a lot about lights - very low power / ampage as a rule - and even temporary use only etc.

How long has your neighbour had theirs switching immersion ?


Just as a note of caution - mains sockets and switches aren't always brilliant at making and breaking high load currents - and could end up damaged (arcing, buzzing, heating etc) with long term repeated switching.

You might not notice with one of those left doing the switching.

I've known electricians who have had  to swap out 20A rated spur switches - albeit on industrial kit professionally - but some subcontractors mentioned often simlar and needing replaced on likes of c 3.5 kW high powered night storage heaters domestically.

So I'd probably be more tempted to fit a bespoke permanently wired 16A spur timer switch if that device works for longer term savings / use.  Example as above piccy - few others in mix at e.g.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/timers-controllers/cat830128


They also sell something that looks like that mydome device there as an essentials ts116 by the looks of it.
 

Bendo

QrizB said:

Bendo said:

victor2 said:

This is something I'm considering for a heated towel rail, if you wanted to go smart...
CHOSRY WiFi Fused Spur Timer Switch for electric towel rails, heating, and lighting https://amzn.eu/d/aLvnL9W

Spend a bit more on a reputable brand e.g. https://www.ledbulbs.co.uk/products/timeguard-wi-fi-controlled-fused-spur-tuya-edition-fstwifitu

  I cheaped out and fitted one of these (but the Zigbee version). So far it's worked OK. I do agree that Timeguard are a reputable brand and a safer bet.

I looked at various options for controlling the 2 immersions on my thermal store from Home Assistant.  Was going to go with similar to that, but Shelly branded who seem to be one of the more reputable brands,  but soon found that despite the small ones being rated for 16A, there are lots of reports on their facebook of them leaking magic smoke. Then started looking at the Shelly Pros which were a bit more expensive, then found the Timeguard ones and figured that was the best option as it would need to be of an FCU anyway so less connections to come loose etc.

Could have bought a nice cheap pair on Amazon but there is so much dodgy dangerous electrical stuff on there.

Newbie_John

As you mentioned low DIY skills, I'd call a plumber/electrician who would do it for you. 

With the switch you showed it may not last long - it will either stop working (switch is much harder to press than lights) or will burn the socket at some point if it keeps switching on and off while electricity goes through.

If you're renting - ask landlord to pay for it.
If you own it - get a long term solution, it will pay for itself off over years. Depending on solution and where you live it may cost around £80-150 to be done professionally with some WiFi controlled tool.

Robin9

This is advertised as being suitable for 3jW immersion heater 

24 Hour Fused Spur Timer Switch - 

 

FST24

An electricians job for the OP