Timed Light Switch (wall)

Martynt74 · 18 Jun 2013 at 14:40

I've just tried googling but can't find much beyond 7 day timed light switches that seem much more suited to an office environment.

Our problem is that we have a cupboard under the stairs where we keep all the shoes, this has a normal light switch in there and what tends to happen is someone will turn the light on, find their shoes, turn around to leave the house and shut the cupboard door leaving the light on.

How would i go about fitting a light switch that auto switched itself off after a set amount of time (probably a minute)? I imagine a push button switch would be more suited for this but can't seem to see anything suitable.

Nightglow · 18 Jun 2013 at 14:52

Several options fit a light with built in PIR, or fit light with seperate PIR Sensor, or a extra switch.
Something like this wire in: http://www.screwfix.com/p/360-ceiling-standalone-surface-mounted-pir/80538

Or wire in additional mortice switch: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ele... Plate Mortice Door Switch/d190/sd2633/p52171

Most sensors you can adjust time on from around 8s to 12min or so.

Have same setup with my under stairs cupboard.

stuie · 18 Jun 2013 at 15:08

if your after a cool diy method find an old fridge and pull the switch out of that, door open light on door closed light off

HardwareGeek · 18 Jun 2013 at 18:44

for push switches search under vacuum time lag switches, they also do electronic ones aswell, some of these need the wiring to be altered, if you don't want to alter anything you need one that works with only 2 wires.

I recommend a door switch like Nightglow linked

Nightglow · 18 Jun 2013 at 19:05

HardwareGeek said:
for push switches search under vacuum time lag switches, they also do electronic ones aswell, some of these need the wiring to be altered, if you don't want to alter anything you need one that works with only 2 wires.

Forgot all about those.

Many years since I used one of those.