| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 02/08/10 04:32 PM |
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Heater Timer
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I'm trying to help someone keep from burning down their office/shop.
The lady gets cold, so she has a small portable heater there close to the desk. I've found it left on twice in two weeks, so I have to think this happens more often.
I'll have to verify the wattage, but probably no more than 1750. I'd like to find a timer to add between the receptacle and the heater plug. Just a simple dial type with an hour or two would be perfect. Hoping some of you would have some experience with this (not burning down buildings
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| Just_Bill |
| (10,000 Stars) |
| 02/08/10 04:55 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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A timer rated for 20A should do just fine. Should be available at home and hardware stores.
| dora |
| (Search and Rescue) |
| 02/08/10 05:29 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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I've never used either, but here's a couple of timers rated for higher wattages.
Mini mechanical
electronic type
One thing to consider when folks run these portable heaters is what's the shape of the wiring and what other loads are on the circuit it's plugged in to. An older freind of mine recently had a heater plugged in, set on high, to a receptacle that was controlled by a wall switch and luckily heard a pop at the switch and saw an arc blast come out at the same time. Switch was probably 40 years old and fried it'self. Could of been worse if that old wire insulation would of caught on fire.
| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 02/08/10 06:04 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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Thanks Dora. The building is a commercial metal one about 10-12 years old and the wiring appears good.
I have a digital one similar to that one, so I'll check the load on it before buying one. I'll see what the box stores have tomorrow.
| code_ceis |
| (Handyman) |
| 02/08/10 06:19 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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One constant problem we see with these little 1500 - 1750 watt heaters is 2 or more on the same leg of panel. Overloads and burns the neutral. If you are in a office or house with more than one try to see the load is balanced.
| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 02/08/10 07:39 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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This is the only one in the office.
| bozodog |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 02/09/10 07:13 AM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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We use a 1500W heater in our office because most of the building is unused at his time. Because we get such a good price, utilities included, we told the landlady to leave the heat down to 52f. Our heater is plugged into a dial type timer with the adjustable pegs in the face. It's set to come on about an hour before we open, and set to run for only two hours, because we are closed on the weekend. Easy enough to manually switch it on while we're there.
| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 02/09/10 01:46 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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I found this 20a switch/timer at Lowe's. I would have to (1) install/rewire in the wall near the receptacle, or (2) put together a 2 gang box with the timer, receptacle, and a short SO cord/plug. The other units they offer have a dusk/dawn sensor and some "time after" settings, which I don't think will work in an office setting. I'll check HD later on.
| bozodog |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 02/09/10 02:18 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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The one I have plugs into the wall receptacle, that is 20A.
| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 03/09/10 03:32 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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OK, I ordered a plug-in timer from Amazon and received it yesterday. Now I'm questioning the purchase.
First, made in China. It's a one hour timer and it said 15 Amp rating. When I looked at it it is not stamped or printed as UL (with the trademark) listed. It state 15a, 1000 watts Tungsten. Does this mean a heater to you? They included a card (like a business card) stating it is UL listed. The whole thing just looks fake to me.
Here it is,
1 hour Timer
| BillJeffy |
| ("Don't Know Squat") |
| 03/09/10 08:24 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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.
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'1000 watts tungsten' refers to typical incandescent lighting.....
You didn't quote what wattage/amperage the heater was......
but based on your first post (1750) you're looking at 15 amps.....
and although that timer may work 'fer a while', I don't think you're
gonna be satisfied.......
Your link to Amazon didn't specify watts/amps, either.......
You can try that, but in the meantime, search for "intermatic"
and pick out something a little more heavy duty........JMO.
.
| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 03/09/10 09:23 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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I agree and I too think this cheapo won't last long, and there is no way this thing is indeed UL Listed.
I may complain to Amazon about the lack of information in the description, low quality and lack of a true UL™ listing. Maybe they'll take it back.
| Idoitall |
| (Handyman) |
| 03/11/10 06:41 PM |
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Re: Heater Timer
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I did send the timer back to Amazon, then I bought a GE 60 minute, 15 amp manual timer at HD. I already had the rest needed to setup a box for the timer and receptacle with a short cord (#12 wire) to make it convenient to reach.
I think this will do just fine and just maybe prevent a disaster for them.