Light timer

[Charliekilo]

I have the bad habit of leaving my shop lights on. I would like to find a switch that I can flip on or off but after a certain time it will shut off on it's own.
Is there such a beast?
Thanks
C

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's one example that may work for you, but there are other similar brands. http://www.wattstopper.com/products/time-based-controls/timers/ts-400.aspx#.VO_SUBygkpI

 

[happy2rv]

The big box stores usually have a variety from old fashioned mechanical wind up to new fangled LCD to somewhere in between.

Those are made to turn on and count down. I've used the GE model 15318 with the 6 push buttons for controlling outside lighting and bathroom ventilation fans and I've used wind up ones similar to the one above for attic lights. The wind up are probably the most reliable, but they usually only go for an hour or so. I haven't had any problems with other ones after about 2-3 years of light duty service.

They also have these and similar models that are designed to switch things on and off automatically at various times but that doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

 

[Redwolf947]

What about something like this?? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Maestro-2-Amp-Single-Pole-Occupancy-Sensing-Switch-White-MS-OPS2H-WH/203202128

 

[happy2rv]

What about something like this?? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Maestro-2-Amp-Single-Pole-Occupancy-Sensing-Switch-White-MS-OPS2H-WH/203202128

Those seem like a good idea until you live with one. I've never seen a "good" occupancy sensor, maybe others have had better luck. My company had them installed in every office at work several years ago and it provided entertainment. People would be working at their desk and ever few minutes you would see them flap their arms wildly so the occupancy sensor wouldn't shut off the lights.

I would hate to be sawing or welding and have the lights go out at the most inopportune time. Your mileage may vary, but I want the lights to stay on in a predictable manner when I turn them on. With a timer, you may forget that you set it and have the lights go out, but with the occupancy sensor you just don't know if it "sees" you until the lights go out.

 

[Redwolf947]

Ha ha I'll bet that was amusing.. I think there are more options today tho. But I don't have one so I am not sure.. What I linked have been brought up recently in another thread.

 

[Charliekilo]

I have had motion sensors and PIA is polite. We have outside cats to control vermin. The cats about drove us nuts with their night time play.

somewhere in between. This looks like what I need. 1 question does the timer need resetting every time or can it be set and forget it?

Thanks all for the help.

 

[dfiler2]

I f you have all your lights on the same circuit This Timer would work. There are also wifi switches you can control from your phone.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Why not wire something like a pool motor timer into the circuit - they have an "override" toggle below the dial, but will turn on and shut down the circuit at a set time every night. Set the "off" for like an hour after you usually call it a night, and if you forget, it won't. Set the on for an hour before you usually go out there, and you're golden.

http://www.backyardpoolsuperstore.c...EDcpxX-spcBtWOZBQDxW1juQu70sdVI29GxoCka_w_wcB

 

[Charliekilo]

The idea is for the switch to open after a certain amount of time if I fail to do it manually.

 

[Charliekilo]

Living, breathing proof that even a girl can turn a wrench, make chips fly, or shape hot metal... and bake a mean peach pie in the oven while melting lead on the stovetop!

Send picture of pie.

 

[happy2rv]

somewhere in between. This looks like what I need. 1 question does the timer need resetting every time or can it be set and forget it?

Thanks all for the help.

You can either press one of the time buttons to turn it on for that amount of time or press the larger button at the bottom to turn it on for the same time you used the last time. Also pressing the larger button while its on will override the time and turn them off. One thing to note is that its only rated for 6.4 amps. It does say that it works with CFLs and LEDs as well as incandescent and I've used it for CFLs, but there are only 3 bulbs on the circuit I've got it on. The LCD one was rated at 16 amps general purpose or 8A inductive/ballast load.

 

[Petey156]

You should look into an occupancy sensor, you walk in and the lights come on, Walk out. Lights go off

 

[HOTFR8]

I have a couple of time delay switches set up on my outside lights and one of those is also connected to an internal light. Gives me time to lock up and get out and not worry about the lights turning off.

These of course are Aussie fitting but you should find something similar and you can set them for how long they delay to turn off.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You should look into an occupancy sensor, you walk in and the lights come on, Walk out. Lights go off

They stink unless you get the ones with a minimum on time adjustment. If you're doing bench work or standing in one spot for any length of time, the lights go out and you have to wave your arms or dance around to bring them back on. The worst application in the world for occupancy sensors is a bathroom with stalls. Occupancy sensors are great for short term use areas like custodial closets, storage rooms, etc.

Tommy

 

[Charliekilo]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5OA60/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I think this is it unless there is something I am missing?

 

[Zeke]

They stink unless you get the ones with a minimum on time adjustment. If you're doing bench work or standing in one spot for any length of time, the lights go out and you have to wave your arms or dance around to bring them back on. The worst application in the world for occupancy sensors is a bathroom with stalls. Occupancy sensors are great for short term use areas like custodial closets, storage rooms, etc.

Tommy

In fact, ruled against by the ADA, or should be. Timers are.

To the OP: Jack Olsen describes a simple motion detector that he installed in his garage made up from an outdoor motion light. He wired his shop lights through the fixture.

 

[dfiler2]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5OA60/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I think this is it unless there is something I am missing?

Looks like that will turn off the lights after 30 to 60 min, so as long as you don't spend more than an hour at a time in the shop that should do it.

 

[Charliekilo]

I very seldom do. And I can reset it.