What's this called?

[joto]

Hi, I need to turn off a certain electronic device X hours (3-4) after i
start it. I want this to happen automatically, so I need something that
goes between the device and the power outlet, which will automatically
switch off the juice after X hours, as if the device was unplugged. I
want it to be as easy to use as possible, so that there's just some dial
or some buttons where I can set the time after which the device is to be
turned off. It's running off of north american standard 120 V, 60 Hz, and
if the device is turned off reliably there could be a sfatey hazard.

What kind of thing would do the job/what's it called?

Thanks.

 

[Watson A.Name - \"Watt Su]

"Hal Murray" <hmurray@suespammers.org> wrote in message
news:JqmdnWecmqlEChzcRVn-rQ@megapath.net...

Hi, I need to turn off a certain electronic device X hours (3-4)
after i
start it. I want this to happen automatically, so I need something
that
goes between the device and the power outlet, which will
automatically
switch off the juice after X hours, as if the device was unplugged. I
want it to be as easy to use as possible, so that there's just some
dial
or some buttons where I can set the time after which the device is to
be
turned off. It's running off of north american standard 120 V, 60 Hz,
and
if the device is turned off reliably there could be a sfatey hazard.

How about one of the timers that turns your lights on and off so the
burgulars things that somebody is home when you aren't there.

Just set it up so there is one off step, and twist the knob so that
"now" is 3 or 4 hours before it goes off.

I was going to say the same thing. THe cheap Intermatic brand timers
are under ten dollars, and they have the red and blue pins that can be
inserted at different points around the timer dial. Use just the OFF
pin, and set it for 3 AM, for example. Then twist the dial unti it
reads 12 AM and flip the on switch. If this procedure is too
complicated, then you can use the simpler and much more expensive timer
that was mentioned in another followup.

> --

 

[Dave Platt]

Hi, I need to turn off a certain electronic device X hours (3-4) after i
start it. I want this to happen automatically, so I need something that
goes between the device and the power outlet, which will automatically
switch off the juice after X hours, as if the device was unplugged. I
want it to be as easy to use as possible, so that there's just some dial
or some buttons where I can set the time after which the device is to be
turned off. It's running off of north american standard 120 V, 60 Hz, and
if the device is turned off reliably there could be a sfatey hazard.

What kind of thing would do the job/what's it called?

It's called an "interval countdown timer".

One common sort of timer of this sort mounts in an outlet box, just
like a light switch. It has a knob on the front which you can
rotate/twist, to set the amount of time during which the circuit
should be powered up. A spring-action or electric-motor mechanism
returns the knob to its zero position over a period of minutes or
hours, and when it reaches zero the power is disconnected.

They're often used to control whirlpool pumps in home spas (check with
a pool-and-spa dealer), or to control lighting or ventilation or
heating in rooms which are often unused (check with a good electrical
contractor, or a good electrical-parts supply store).

http://www.grasslin.com/ makes one series of such timers. You'd want a
normally-open version, 0-4 hour, no-hold (KLT-4H) as shown on page
14 of their PDF catalog.

I'm sure that similar devices are available from many manufacturers.

--
Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

 

[Hal Murray]

Hi, I need to turn off a certain electronic device X hours (3-4) after i
start it. I want this to happen automatically, so I need something that
goes between the device and the power outlet, which will automatically
switch off the juice after X hours, as if the device was unplugged. I
want it to be as easy to use as possible, so that there's just some dial
or some buttons where I can set the time after which the device is to be
turned off. It's running off of north american standard 120 V, 60 Hz, and
if the device is turned off reliably there could be a sfatey hazard.

How about one of the timers that turns your lights on and off so the
burgulars things that somebody is home when you aren't there.

Just set it up so there is one off step, and twist the knob so that
"now" is 3 or 4 hours before it goes off.

--
The suespammers.org mail server is located in California. So are all my
other mailboxes. Please do not send unsolicited bulk e-mail or unsolicited
commercial e-mail to my suespammers.org address or any of my other addresses.
These are my opinions, not necessarily my employer's. I hate spam.