Timeswitch for low energy lamps
I'm wanting to fit a timeswitch to my external lights. I have 2,
operated from the same switch. One has a 20 watt low energy lamp, the other a 7 watt. The lower wattage one has to be lower wattage as it'll light up next doors living room if it's any brighter! Trouble is, the only time switches I can find either don't work with low energy lamps, or a Timeguard unit which has a minimum load of 20 watt PER BULB (I have checked this with their tech dept). Does anyone know of any more capable timeswitches as I really don't want to ditch the low energy lamps. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Trouble is, the only time switches I can find either don't work with
low energy lamps, or a Timeguard unit which has a minimum load of 20 watt PER BULB (I have checked this with their tech dept). You need one with a proper built in switch that takes a neutral (usually to drive a relay, or occassionally an electronic switch). The ones that don't support CFLs are ones which rely on the incandescent bulb passing through enough current to drive the electronics in order to not need a neutral (which is often not available at the switch location). Immersion timers would work. http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...red/index.html You might find something smaller, cheaper and electronic if you look hard enough. However, they will only work if you do have a neutral, which may require rewiring. Christian. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Christian McArdle wrote: You might find something smaller, cheaper and electronic if you look hard enough. However, they will only work if you do have a neutral, which may require rewiring. Thanks. As it happens, this is a new build extension. When I remove the switch, there is in fact a blue wire in there, but not concected to anything. Can I assume this is neutral? Does this therefore open up the possibilities of what I can use? |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Thanks. As it happens, this is a new build extension. When I remove the
switch, there is in fact a blue wire in there, but not concected to anything. Can I assume this is neutral? Does this therefore open up the possibilities of what I can use? You can never assume anything with electrical installations. However, you can be optimistic. You'll need to test that wire to see if it is indeed a suitable neutral. Christian. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
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Timeswitch for low energy lamps
In article . com,
Andy Dingley wrote: I'm wanting to fit a timeswitch to my external lights. Pretty much any mechanical timer will do. Trouble is most are downright ugly if on show as they might have to be if incorporating an override switch, etc. My solution was one of the switch replacement types with an added relay. Fitted ok into a 35mm deep box, but of course you need a neutral. -- *There's no place like www.home.com * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Could anyone be so kind as to hae a look at this item from Screwfix: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...12544&ts=85934 I've seen it in B&Q to. There's no reference on the packet to any limitations as regards wattage etc. Think it'll do the trick? |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
In article .com,
wrote: Could anyone be so kind as to hae a look at this item from Screwfix: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...12544&ts=85934 I've seen it in B&Q to. There's no reference on the packet to any limitations as regards wattage etc. Think it'll do the trick? Since it's battery operated, very likely. It's the ones which get their 'neutral' via the load that are the problem. -- *They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Dave Plowman (News) wrote: Since it's battery operated, very likely. It's the ones which get their 'neutral' via the load that are the problem. Cheers. I'll drop in at Screwfix on the way home (£8 cheaper than B&Q) |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
wrote:
Could anyone be so kind as to hae a look at this item from Screwfix: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...12544&ts=85934 I've seen it in B&Q to. There's no reference on the packet to any limitations as regards wattage etc. Think it'll do the trick? They work fine with CFL's. Battery lasts years. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Phil Hughes wrote: They work fine with CFL's. Battery lasts years. Bought and installed it last night. Nice little unit, once I'd mastered which buttons to press. Highly recommended. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Andrew Gabriel wrote: BTW, a 20W low energy lamp is quite bright for an outdoor lamp. Do make sure it doesn't disturb neighbours or dazzle highway users. I agree, which is why I was so intent on using the lowest wattage bulb possible, and consequently so limited a choice of switches. If only some of my neighbours were quite so considerate. It's like Blackpool illuminations round our places these days. |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
On 25 Oct 2006 17:39:35 GMT someone who may be
(Andrew Gabriel) wrote this:- You might want to consider a photocell rather than a timeswitch. Depends what you want to use the lights for. You can get ones which fit in the light fitting. I added one of these to a light: http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSea...=SRPCM1000/70L which only required drilling a hole on the top. Alternatively just use a lamp with a built in photocell, provided that the fitting allows it to "see" the outside light levels properly http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/pro...asp?ProdID=115 Photocell luminaires can also be controlled by a time clock. So that, for example, they will be enabled between 06:00 and 09:00 and 16:00 and 23:30. This avoids having to adjust a time clock throughout the year and only provides light when wanted. -- David Hansen, Edinburgh I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54 |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
Alternatively just use a lamp with a built in photocell, provided that the fitting allows it to "see" the outside light levels properly http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/pro...asp?ProdID=115 I've tried some of these types in the past and always had the problem of them "flashing off" briefly every 20 or so seconds. Tried them in different positions both inside and out. Seems the light from the bulb is trying to turn itself off ! A pity they would be very useful otherwise Robert Robert |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:55:51 +0100 someone who may be
lid wrote this:- http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/pro...asp?ProdID=115 I've tried some of these types in the past and always had the problem of them "flashing off" briefly every 20 or so seconds. Tried them in different positions both inside and out. Seems the light from the bulb is trying to turn itself off ! Something may well be reflecting the light back onto the sensor. -- David Hansen, Edinburgh I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54 |
Timeswitch for low energy lamps
On Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:08:04 +0000, David Hansen
wrote: On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:55:51 +0100 someone who may be wrote this:- http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/pro...asp?ProdID=115 I've tried some of these types in the past and always had the problem of them "flashing off" briefly every 20 or so seconds. Tried them in different positions both inside and out. Seems the light from the bulb is trying to turn itself off ! Something may well be reflecting the light back onto the sensor. Very likely , but almost impossible to avoid when used in any type of external enclosure or even in internal porch. Is this common or have I just been unlucky ? Robert |
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