Hi OzSparkies,
I’m looking for a couple timer switches to play with. One for my hot water heater and one for my modem. The former is to save energy and the latter is for a better sleep hygiene. I’ve found something like this on amazon, but not sure if it’s any good. I need them to be DIN rail or something like that, I think that means it will fit in the little box.
Appreciate any recommendations.
Hmm I see where you are coming from, but I prefer the dumb controls. Prefer to have everything networked unless I have money to spend on firewall at the modem level. I also live in a small unit, smart switch seems to be an overkill.
It's too easy to get into the modem to change the schedule, I need it to elicit the response of 'cbb to tinker with the switches, I'll just sleep.'
Your modem should have time of day scheduling so you can limit or block services at particular times and for certain people too. What modem/router do you have?
As above, it's too easy to get into the modem to change the schedule, I need it to elicit the response of 'cbb to tinker with the switches, I'll just sleep.' I have tried browser-level blocks, and it never worked because I can unblock it easily.
couple timer switches to play with
Your hot water system isn't one to 'play with', as will require installation in your meter box by an electrician
like the one he has linked?
Its not what I would recommend for a hot water system timer installation
1) rating too low
2) low quality unit, increasing the risk of issuest considering the installation cost
3) no warranty if you supply your own 'no name' brand compared to having an electrician supply and warranty the part
also, no info as to if their hot water isnt on a controlled load circuit already (which doesnt need a timer), or if they have solar which they are trying to move their hot water usage to
I do this with the router/modem/wireless etc. It shuts down at 2300 and starts up at 0545. I've been using these timers for years now with no problems. I have linked what I use, although these are fairly generic - I don't have the click brand but I'm pretty sure click have just rebranded them. Most of these timers get poor reviews because people have trouble programming them. There are a few idiosyncrasies - the main one is if you power off manually. To power back on you have to press the manual button to "on", which will bring power back, but then cycle back to auto, so that schedule is followed again. I also use one of these when charging e bike and electric unicycle. Nice find on the hot water service timer; I'm interested in this too. Hope to see some feedback on this one. Just had a quick look re hot water service; supposedly the fuse for these (in the fusebox) are generally 25amp. Supposedly you want a timer and contactor bundle. I'll post a 2nd link for this - not my recommendation, I'm just trying to further the knowledge here: https://www.bunnings.com.au/click-24hr-7-day-digital-timer_p…
That's a good thread, thanks. I'm in the rabbit hole now…
This one is only 24 hours, I have seen them on amazon too, same width as the existing rain mount swithes, just need it to be a 7-day as well.
I have the previous gen of the timed wall plug, they do not last very long and do not work on hot water unit.
Better to get a smart switch with wifi, bluetooth or zigbee, so yoa can control it from web interface ro app, rather than mucking about with a few buttons and small lcd display.
For the hot water, you might as well get one with power metering included. e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/156320927670
For modem, they often have build-in settings for scheduling.