SIMPLE Timer for power outlet/cord

[Tim]

Hopefully someone else's google-fu is stronger than mine.

I work in an unheated basement office. Every day I turn on a space heater and forget to turn it off at the end of the day. I can find 100 different variations of 'programmable' devices meant to control lamps, etc. where they'll turn on/off on a schedule. Programmable doesn't work for me because my hours are weird.

I'm looking for something dead simple...not programmable...to control power to this space heater. Like an old kitchen timer, I want to twist a dial and have it start counting down. When the timer goes off, disconnect power.

Any brilliant ideas?

 

[Burt Gummer]

Get a box and put this in it. Wore it between the receptacle and heater


Limited-time deal: BN-LINK Heavy Duty 60-Minute in-Wall Spring Loaded Countdown Timer, Mechanical Switch,for Bathroom Fan,Lights Timer, 2 Free Plate (White and Silver Metallic) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LVTGKB..._dl_AGF82AY7RX6JN0M6S0F7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Jerzsubbie]

I think this is what you’re looking for.

BN-LINK 12 Hour Indoor Mechanical Accurate Countdown Timer, 3-Prong Grounded Outlet, 15 Minute Increments, Energy Saving for Kitchen, Phone Charger, Lamps, Holiday Decoration 1875W, 1/2 HP, ETL Listed https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00MVDTEXS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_NVJ44CV66FYHJFHNS7CM

 

[df0101]

What you need is a 24 hour mechanical timer switch like this.

 

[Burt Gummer]

I think this is what you’re looking for.

BN-LINK 12 Hour Indoor Mechanical Accurate Countdown Timer, 3-Prong Grounded Outlet, 15 Minute Increments, Energy Saving for Kitchen, Phone Charger, Lamps, Holiday Decoration 1875W, 1/2 HP, ETL Listed https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00MVDTEXS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_NVJ44CV66FYHJFHNS7CM

Better than my idea

 

[Les White]

I've melted a few "heavy duty" timers with the block heater on the truck. Set an alarm on your phone.

 

[Jerzsubbie]

Better than my idea

Ironically, I need the one you found haha. I sometimes forget to turn my attic light off and will leave it on for days or weeks until I notice.

 

[Tim]

I think this is what you’re looking for.

BN-LINK 12 Hour Indoor Mechanical Accurate Countdown Timer, 3-Prong Grounded Outlet, 15 Minute Increments, Energy Saving for Kitchen, Phone Charger, Lamps, Holiday Decoration 1875W, 1/2 HP, ETL Listed https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00MVDTEXS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_NVJ44CV66FYHJFHNS7CM

Exactly what I’m looking for thank you

 

[J R Green]

Christmas light timers are cheap.

 

[Tim]

gotta admit to feeling a little bit foolish for not having figured this out for myself...it's one of those things where you get a mental block and then get smacked in the face with the "well, duh" answer.

 

[RR]

Hopefully someone else's google-fu is stronger than mine.

I work in an unheated basement office. Every day I turn on a space heater and forget to turn it off at the end of the day. I can find 100 different variations of 'programmable' devices meant to control lamps, etc. where they'll turn on/off on a schedule. Programmable doesn't work for me because my hours are weird.

I'm looking for something dead simple...not programmable...to control power to this space heater. Like an old kitchen timer, I want to twist a dial and have it start counting down. When the timer goes off, disconnect power.

Any brilliant ideas?

I know you're asking for simple, but how about going the other direction. Get a smart switch that you can turn off from your phone?

 

[Carolinatlc]

I used a smart switch for a garage heater to basically do the same thing. I turn it on from my phone when ready to use it and have it turn off automatically everyday at 10pm just in case I forget about it. You can also set a timer from the app easily if you want. This has worked well for me and it also tracks the energy used which is pretty cool.

 

[Average Joe]

Great ideas upstream. Make sure to compare the watts and amperage on the heater to the switch.

 

[BigWaylon]

I know you're asking for simple, but how about going the other direction. Get a smart switch that you can turn off from your phone?

That doesn’t fix the issue…which is him not remembering to turn it off. 🤣🤣

So he can not remember from an app just as easy as not remembering while he’s in the room. 🤔

 

[RR]

That doesn’t fix the issue…which is him not remembering to turn it off. 🤣🤣

So he can not remember from an app just as easy as not remembering while he’s in the room. 🤔

I have programmed shut off times on mine and I can turn them off manually if I want it off earlier.

 

[GymB]

Motion detector?

Or just wire an outlet on the same circuit as the overhead light.

 

[Timfoilhat]

Looks like you guys already had the discussion about a programmable smart switch. I use one for Christmas tree. If we're not home I can override the program and switch off remotely. If I'm not sure of it's on or off I can check my phone for status. It's great.

 

[9outof10mms]

As mentioned above: be careful pulling too much amperage through a little timer that’s not up to the challenge.

 

[myst173]

Sort of different idea, but maybe something you can use.
Amazon product ASIN B009KSECO8Kicks on when it detects motion, stays on as long as it keeps detecting motion, and turns off after X minutes of no motion, good for 1200 watts.

 

[Jeppo]

Assuming the amperage isn’t greater than the capacity of the switch, I agree a Smart Switch is the solution. I’ve got a ton of them and they are way cool. I don’t do it but I believe they could be programmed to respond to a phone’s location. When your phone gets there, it turns on and vice versa. I’d also program in an off time (i.e., the latest hour you ever work) for just in case.

An additional benefit would be programming an on time to get the basement warmed up in advance.

 

[BlackGun]

Sort of different idea, but maybe something you can use.
Amazon product ASIN B009KSECO8Kicks on when it detects motion, stays on as long as it keeps detecting motion, and turns off after X minutes of no motion, good for 1200 watts.

I second this if the heater wattage is low enough. A permanent and more controlled plan is a mini split which is all day comfort at very very low power usage. The comfort is the every minute instead of waiting plus the remote can be programmed for start stop.