timer plug modification

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Gregovic
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timer plug modification

Post by Gregovic »

One of the release methods I use most often is based on a small 12v electromagnet. For timing I use those cheap ubiquitous timer plugs you can buy pretty much anywhere for a few bucks. One of the things that bugs me though is that they come standard with a little switch on the side. One I label the "kill me switch" because it locks the output of the timer permanently ON and is easy to miss or forget to chec, thus forcing you to use your backup (you DO have a backup, right?) So first thing I do is pull that little lever out. It does not affect the function of the timer in any way apart from making it impossible to lock it permanently on. Not sure if US timers are exactly the same and have this switch but I thought I'd share for those based in countries that use CEE7 type plugs
20160101_220526_zpsmepzixxr.jpg
Below is some shots of what this particular timer looks like on the inside and how it works. While they will all look a little different they pretty much all work on the same principle so.
First shot is simply the guts, with everything on top removed. The yellow bit on the right is the switch I'm talking about. It's actually in the engaged position here, keeping the thing turned on. To disable it, simply pull it out and toss it. It actuates the white lever that then presses the grey industrial switch at the bottom. The top left bit with the pink gear and copper windings is the actual timing bit. It's actually a single phase electrical motor that spins at your local AC frequency (60 rpm in the US, 50 rpm in europe). The gears then slow that rotation so that the central bit with the blue time adjusting thingies spins once in 24 hours. The bits in the middle is the euro style connector. US models will probably have similar timing and switching bits but a different connector layout
20160101_220625_zpscz211eyj.jpg
Second shot is just to show how the timing wheel engages with the switch. The blue bits are pressed down to switch the switch ON. When they move down they also move out. The wheel rotates until one of these blue bits moves underneath the white lever, which is pressed outwards. This then pressed on the gray powerswitch inside the device closing the circuit and powering whatever is connected.
20160101_221029_zpsjmxrah9b.jpg
Besides removing the switch pulling the timer apart also allows me to get a good look at the build quality and the components used. These particular timers are one of the cheapest I found in a while (I think they were about 4 euros a piece) but surprisingly they use high quality switches of a manufacturer that actually has spec sheets and ratings for their components which means these things have possibly actually undergone some sort of design testing.

I hope someone finds this info helpful.

Edited because I forgot to actually say how to disable the switch.
Edited again November 2017 because photobucket doesn´t allow linking anymore
Last edited by Gregovic on 11 Nov 2017, 23:58, edited 1 time in total.
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Riddle
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Re: timer plug modification

Post by Riddle »

Thank you for the information. The mechanical timers here in the US work like you described and can be modified the same way. It is good to know how to disable the always-on function.
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Gregovic
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Re: timer plug modification

Post by Gregovic »

What I maybe should add is that this mod does leave you with a small hole in the side of the timer where the switch used to be. So if you have a habit of poking sharp pointy metal things into your timers you can simply superglue (any sort of glue that'll work on plastic should do) a bit of plastic (Piece of the clamshell packaging?) over the hole to prevent it. Personally I don't see the use as you do really have to deliberately stick something into it and then do your very very best to touch anything "live" in there.
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cdinbonds
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Re: timer plug modification

Post by cdinbonds »

You could just cut the latching part of the yellow "switch" off and the replace the button part in the case. Everything will look just as it did, but the "kill me switch" will not function without the inside lever. No need for glue. Probably just take a quick snip with diagonal cutters, or a small saw. Might have to file or sand a rough edge, but not really necessary if it fits back in smoothly.
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Gregovic
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Re: timer plug modification

Post by Gregovic »

cdinbonds wrote:You could just cut the latching part of the yellow "switch" off and the replace the button part in the case. Everything will look just as it did, but the "kill me switch" will not function without the inside lever. No need for glue. Probably just take a quick snip with diagonal cutters, or a small saw. Might have to file or sand a rough edge, but not really necessary if it fits back in smoothly.
That's actually a good idea. Sometimes we miss the obvious solution staring us in the face :lol:
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Sir Cumference
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Re: timer plug modification

Post by Sir Cumference »

I would just give the switch a dab of hot melt glue.
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Gregovic
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Re: timer plug modification

Post by Gregovic »

Sir Cumference wrote:I would just give the switch a dab of hot melt glue.
I'm not a big fan of hot snot. It tends to come undone at the most inopportune times and doesn't really stick well to some plastics. The point of this mod is to be 100% confident that switch will NEVER keep the timer on.imho the only way to be sure of that is either remove the switch entirely or at least remove the bit that interfaces with the switching lever.
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