Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2017 July 20

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July 20

Cheap timer switch for lights

I'm looking for something like a plug-in digital timer switch, but for lights. I have found a few products that look suitable, but they retail for a lot more than I'm willing to pay, and given how cheap plug-in alternatives are I'm surprised that they're so expensive.

I want something to wake me up in the morning, without noise, and exploiting the mains lighting is, if nought else, an "elegant" solution. Does anyone know where I could find something suitable? I live in the UK.--Leon (talk) 11:13, 20 July 2017 (UTC)

It's hard to do this for UK light switches. You can do it, but they can be fussy about the previous wiring in the wall. Is there a neutral available? Is there an earth available? Although there ought to be for modern wiring (at least as close as the ceiling rose) it's still unusual to have a neutral available to the switch location. This makes it difficult to add a mains-powered timer. It used to be possible to parasite power it, but with the increase in LED lamps, such arrangements might now leak enough current to cause intermittent flashing of the LEDs.

It's almost certainly cheaper and easier to use a plug-in table lamp, with a plug-in timer. Electronic (silent) timers are easily and cheaply available.

There are also radio alarm clocks with built in morning lights, some with a gradual start to the illumination. Andy Dingley (talk) 11:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)

I know electrical stuff can be pricey in UK because of stricter regulations, but here in the US you can get timers that actually clamp on to wall light switches and mechanically flip the switches. Some of them aren't terribly expensive. Do those not exist in UK? ApLundell (talk) 16:31, 20 July 2017 (UTC)

I've never seen those in the UK. Are they clockwork? If not, what power do they use to run? Dbfirs 08:56, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

This type (also available from other UK retailers) is digital, battery powered, with a 7-day timer. It is priced at just under £30. As has been said above, plug-in 24-hour socket timers are much cheaper. Gandalf61 (talk) 09:55, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

Thank you, and apologies for my doubts. I've never seen those in the shops, but they seem to work well according to the reviews. I imagine that they would struggle to operate some switch designs. Dbfirs 17:37, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

Rather than trying to flip the switch, why not use a standard electric appliance timer plugged into an outlet and plug a lamp into that ? You can flip the main light switch with your hand after the lamp wakes you up. No space for a table lamp ? Try a floor lamp or a clip-on lamp: [1]. StuRat (talk) 18:06, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

Those things aren't silent. Or at least the cheap one I bought. They might not be hearable through earplugs though. The bullet-shaped smooth-sided ones probably will hurt your ears. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 19:14, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

They have digital ones that don't have the rotating gears to make noise. I have one made for the US, but here's one that handles UK mains: [2]. StuRat (talk) 19:23, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

I have some Phllips Hue bulbs which I can program via my Iphone to turn on or off at any desired time. In addition, the color and brightness of the light are programmable, so you could have a "sunset" at bedtime and a "sunrise" at getting-up time. I can just screw the bulb into any socket with no mains wiring needed. I presume they or some similar system would be available in your country. Edison (talk) 01:30, 22 July 2017 (UTC)

I'm amazed that those bulbs can be had, in the plain white variety, for only $15: [3]. However, that still seems like a lot for a disposable light bulb, and I would prefer to separate the disposable part from the electronics, which I'd want to be reusable. In comparison, I pay about 50 cents for my plain 9.5 W LED bulbs. StuRat (talk) 01:45, 22 July 2017 (UTC)

50 cents would buy a plain old fashioned incandescent bulb a few years ago, but where I live in the US any led bulb is considerably more expensive., like $4 each. Where do you get them for 50 cents? Loss leader sale? Promo price? Edison (talk) 02:08, 22 July 2017 (UTC)

Dollar Tree. 2-pack for US$1. StuRat (talk) 04:26, 22 July 2017 (UTC)