24hr 240v timers. 2pk. Just $3
I know you guys get hard over anything digital, but comeon. $3 a pack
Thats a $1.50 each. You ain't go'a find a better price than that son
They're on clearance, I picked up some today from Oakleigh Masters, but I tried the next one store over and showed stock too, so report back and incase its vic only. The great thing here is that the new style seem pretty much identical to the old ones
Teardown pic for those interested in that kind of thing
Either. Its programmable in 15m increments to turn lights, pumps, fans, computers, heaters*, whatever, on or off.
*potentially a stupid idea
Aside: There are no stupid questions. Only stupid people.
And their name is trevor
but essentially (stupid question) only lights that are plugged into the timer - is there an easy/cheap solution to have your ceiling lights be programmed to a timer for properties for when wer'e away to show it's got life? Somehow just the odd lamp/study table light connected to a timer probably wont do it for me vs having a room or two show as 'on' and 'someone home' to ward people off.
Probably more going for a led ceiling light idea, so it sits flush with the ceiling or close to as opposed to a bayonet. Nice idea if i go down the bayonet path though. Makes me wonder if you can buy led ceiling lights or bayonets with NFC chips and the like so one day you can wirelessly control these lights from your phone remotely - this would be a dream on/off while on holidays , and monitoring your home.
You'll be looking at going down the home automation path then.
The Wemo light switch might be enoug to do what you want, not too pricy, though it needs a neutral so depends on your current wiring as to how much it's going to cost to fit if you're getting a sparky involved.
It is both. There is a little moveable toggle for each 15 minute increment over 24 hours. In other words, 24 x 4 = 96 toggles. If the toggle is one way, the power is on for that time period. If it's the other way, the power is off for that period. You put each of the little toggles to the desired position to determine whether the power is on or off at each moment of the day. The wheel slowly moves around, competing one full revolution per day.
The handy use of this type of timer is as a wake up tool. If I have a light turn on a few minutes before my alarm goes off, I wake up much more easily.
I see I'm not the only one (thats why I bought mine today)
Have you got anything else setup to turn on?
They are good for pets like lizards or fish. You can control their heat rock or lights on a timer. Not sure if it could handle an electric blanket…
You can set one up beside your computer, with a lamp plugged in, to remind you to go to bed at a reasonable time.
I used to have a weekly timer set up this way, to remind me to put out the garbage on the appropriate night. Now my smartphone reminds me instead. Could still be useful for families, to indicate that SOMEBODY has to do a chore at a particular time.
Thanks a lot, guys!!
If I have a light turn on a few minutes before my alarm goes off, I wake up much more easily.
Mechanical timers usually make a substantial "CLACK" sound when they turn on or off, so that will wake you if it is near your bed. Maybe even if it's on the other side of the room, if you're a light sleeper.
A digital one is better for this purpose, they're far quieter.
Mine also makes noise as a rotary dial turns inside. If you have it next to your head within 1.5m then the sound is annoying on a quiet winter night.
The digital ones can be a pain to set compared to these, and usually don't have the ability to turn on/off as many times as these do, but the advantage is they are silent and usually have a 7 day timer so each day can be different
Bugger, I was in a Masters (Robina) for the first time today, didn't see these, but then barely saw another human, the place just felt sad.
Click and collect only, so you they're probably not on display. I didn't see them either.
They're great. I use them for my water chiller to go off for a few mins a day and stop at night.
These are great for switching the lights off and on while on holiday, and the radio too, to make the house look (and sound) occupied.
I'll add to the ignorance
Would These be a good option for Christmas lights? Ie get them to switch off at 11pm etc?
It would be perfect. You could set the lights to go on at sundown (say 7 pm) and off at 11 pm.
Edit - just read the masters online review that said that the timer doesn't keep good time. Not ideal, but YMMV. And no doubt the timer isn't being used to control ones pacemaker. For $3 for two, it's worth it, and the the time on the device can be easily adjusted from time to time as required.
Almost all clocks that are mains-powered are using the mains frequency as their timebase. This is allowed to drift up to a few minutes each way on a daily basis, but usually the mains gets "corrected" (they change the frequency slightly) in the wee small hours. A mains clock will be up to a few minutes out, but never more than that, due to the correction.
Although these timers may be different, because it takes a fair bit of effort for the tiny motor to change the switch over. the motor might slow during switchovers, and it might lose time due to this.
I use similar ones from hpm.
Great for turn the lights on then off at a designated time….
Note: turning lights on and off are not for show or making the lights twinkle but just so they dont run all night.
How loud is the noise as it ticks?
Not a good review from one of the buyers: "One worked, one broke within hours and they don't keep accurate time. In the two weeks they've been running, they are off by half an hour or more. One broke while trying to set the time and now runs slow. Setting the on/off switches are very dodgy at best as they don't fit together properly. Overall it's a very poor design. All in all, if you need a cheap electrical timer and it isn't all that important that it keep proper time, this is the one for you…"
This post seems to also say it's a bit hit and miss
I guess you can't complain for $3. HPM seems to be way more reliable from what I've read. Here's a much better buy for 2 for less than $10: https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-24-hour-timer-2-pack_p705286…
They don't tick, they make a very quiet whirring noise from the tiny motor inside that is always running. You'd normally have to put your ear against the unit to hear the whirring.
Mechanical timers do usually make a substantial "CLACK" noise as they turn on or off though.
I have HPM one and I can hear it when it's quiet around. Although, this is next to my bed so i am about a meter away from it.
Piece of mind get HPM branded ones as they are well known in the electrical industry and make solid products.
Will cost extra but I value my home and family.
Electrician with 18 years experience in the electrical industry.
peace of mind?
Yeh that one lol been suffering with as the mrs says the man flu and hard to read a lot but yeh.
Are you saying they're electrically unsafe?
To be sold in Australia they have to conform to set standards. Now the quality might not be good in construction, internal parts might not be as robust to withstand long operation and switching of high rated loads upto 2400watts.
Do you have to wind these back everyday or do they continue to do 24 hour cycles?
They plug in to the 240v so they get power that way so no winding required.
24 hour timmer. It has a clock type mechanism built in and it constantly runs while the power point is on.
You must set the time thought with the radial in the middle and your set.
Can't find any in WA, annoying as I was just thinking about getting one of these.
It still says click and collect is available for forrestfield?
I have a few of these iver the years and thet always slowely go out of time / sync.
Are these still for sale in NSW?
Sold out everywhere now I believe.
Still available at oakleigh south for me
Haven't used this type since getting the Belkin WeMo. So much more versatile (and expensive), always correct time, don't need to be reset after power outage, has a sunrise/sunset setting and can be remotely controlled from your smartphone.
Just beware that Olsent have had more than their fair share of recalls over the last couple of years on powerboards and cable.
Not to say the timers are unsafe but it does raise an eyebrow regarding their quality control.
https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/search/index.phtml?filter…
Make sure you don't disconnect/connect things to it when it's running. Buggered up a couple of them doing that. Defo very handy piece of kit for the price. Works well.
No stock in WA… damnit
Stock is showing in Forrestfield. But be careful when buying. If you go through the link above, you get to the clearance bargain. If you do a search on the Masters website, you will get the product at the normal price of $7.90 first.
Just got a call from masters saying the product was recalled so they are refunding the purchase…
Just got a call from masters saying the product was recalled so they are refunding the purchase…
NSW only maybe
from whirlpool
http://whrl.pl/ReD4ji
Hmmm, I'm in WA. Might be because Masters(Woolworths) is headquartered in NSW and has recalled them from all their stores?
Potentially stupid question, but is this a timer of when to turn something on, or a timer of when to switch it off?