Electician help please!

Mark M · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:41

I have a double switch in the living room that controls the wall lights and centre light, is there anyway I can replace this switch with a timer now the dark nights are cutting in? Havent been able to find a double one anywhere.

NB I dont want to control both at different times or anything, just really want either the wall lights or centre lights to come on a specific time.

Thanks

Gilly · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:43

I'm a noob when it comes to electrickery (colourblindness + electricity = death) but if you don't need them both to be controlled by it why do you need a double switch? Can't you go to one switch and one timer?

antijoke · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:44

Gilly said:
I'm a noob when it comes to electrickery (colourblindness + electricity = death) but if you don't need them both to be controlled by it why do you need a double switch? Can't you go to one switch and one timer?

lol and at thread title

Rich_L · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:45

Lol lazy git, just stand up and press the switch

Or buy a 6' piece of bamboo which you can keep by your sofa and use to prod the switches without even getting up

Mark M · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:46

Gilly said:
I'm a noob when it comes to electrickery (colourblindness + electricity = death) but if you don't need them both to be controlled by it why do you need a double switch? Can't you go to one switch and one timer?

Its the only switch in the room though. When I say controlled by the timer I meant that I still would like to have them switching independently for a bit of ambiance

but not fussed it only one will come on via a timer, if that makes sense?

Mark M · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:46

Rich_L said:
Lol lazy git, just stand up and press the switch

Or buy a 6' piece of bamboo which you can keep by your sofa and use to prod the switches without even getting up

ITs from a security point of view for when Im getting in after its dark....

antijoke · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:46

www.yell.com

Gilly · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:47

Ah, I was working on the assumption of multiple switches in the room

R@tman · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:47

Gilly said:
I'm a noob when it comes to electrickery (colourblindness + electricity = death) but if you don't need them both to be controlled by it why do you need a double switch? Can't you go to one switch and one timer?

what colours do you find hard to differentiate Gilly ?

Ascendancy · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:47

Gilly said:
I'm a noob when it comes to electrickery (colourblindness + electricity = death) but if you don't need them both to be controlled by it why do you need a double switch? Can't you go to one switch and one timer?

I think he wants them both to be controlled by the timer, but doesn't require seperate times for them, eg. one night he may wish for the side lights to come on at a certain time, and another he may require the main lights on at a certain time.

Gilly · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:48

R@tman said:
what colours do you find hard to differentiate Gilly ?

Rather O/T but if its just the one response... green/brown/red/purple/blue/orange/yellow... it's a rather broad range

Mark M · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:48

Ascendancy said:
I think he wants them both to be controlled by the timer, but doesn't require seperate times for them, eg. one night he may wish for the side lights to come on at a certain time, and another he may require the main lights on at a certain time.

No not like that, just want to replace the double switch with a timer that brings on either the wall lights or centre lights at a set time. Dont need any fancy changing between the lights and different times etc.

Ascendancy · 13 Oct 2008 at 16:49

Mark M said:
No not like that, just want to replace the double switch with a timer that brings on either the wall lights or centre lights at a set time. Dont need any fancy changing between the lights and different times etc.

That's what I meant :confused:

ScoobyDoo · 13 Oct 2008 at 18:11

Looks like they do a product but it looks bulky and i wouldnt want my light switches replaced with these but heres it is....

http://www.ryness.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=11446

Nick644622 · 13 Oct 2008 at 18:30

Get one of those dusk to dawn bulbs. When the room goes dark the light comes on, no wiring no hassle. Just remember to turn it off last thing & on in the morning or it will be on all night.

Sinny · 13 Oct 2008 at 18:59

Call an electrician and ask him for a quote, if you want a timer and have no idea on how to wire a switch (especially one with a timer, not sure if it differ's as i have never used one yet). It's better than killing yourself

.

6thElement · 13 Oct 2008 at 19:01

Table lamp + plug socket timer = cheap and easy solution.