On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 01:16:32 +0100, "Apteryx"
strung together this:

I'm looking for a battery- (or maybe mains-) powered cupboard light with a
(ideally variable) timed off. i.e. You switch it on and it stays on
automatically for, say, 2 mins.

Use a time-lag switch.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK400B.html

You can set it to time off after a user settable period and it's
mechanical, (or at least the mechanical version is!), so it will work
on anything mains voltage or below.
If you're using mains just fit it in the circuit as a normal 1 way
switch or if you're using batteries then just amend the fitting as
required and divert the feed from the batteries via the time-lag
switch.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd