Time lag switch for extensions sockets

I have just moved all my numerous chargers into the garage (drill, strimmer, chopper, 2xcamera, PDA, satnav.... the list goes on) into the garage and put them on a switched 7 gang extension.

What I want to be abel to do is switch them on..... but not have to remember to switch them off a) to stp the batteries getting charged (not all 'inteligent' chrgers) b) to save energy though poorly designed adapters

What I think I want is a 'time lag' timer that I can plug the gang extension into. I would press a button on it and it would switch on the whole extension for x number of hours (12 hours shoudl be sufficient)

Does anyone have any ideas where I could get such a beast from, a 1 hour google search hasnt thrown up anything )-:

Thanks for any help.

Buy a standard 24 hour mechanical time switch, the type with tappets that push in and out for ON and OFF.

Set enough tappets to ON for the charging period required, doesn't matter which time of day this period starts.

When you want to start charging just rotate the timer dial to the start of the timer period. This means the timer will be showing the wrong time of day.

If you don't go back in 24 hours it will restart a new charging period. if that is a problem then buy a 7 day timer but that will be less easy to rotate and may wear out sooner.

Or for a DIN rail mounted Delayed OFF timer

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=3005941

They do others as well, use the search term "Delay OFF" and timer

Not wife frindly enough I am afraid!!!

I will keep on searching, thanks for your help.

.... I know I am replying to my own question. But can anyone see a problem with this?

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Timers_Index/Immersion_Heater_Timers_2/

I can replace a single gang socket with this, and hard wire an extension socket with all my chargers on it.

I will then be able to 'boost' i.e. switch on the chargers for up to two hours at a time.

Shame I can't find any switches with longer tiemrs......

I assume that the load requirements of up 5-10 chargers will be /far/ less then an immersion heater without adding up the max amp./wattage useages of all the chargers (I wont be charging any cars from it!!!)

Cheers for any thoughts!

Your idea seems at first read to be good. but the problem is many chargers are reset by removing the power. And for old NiCad chargers which have a discharge part to charging cycle this could cause problems. The slow chargers which have not charge complete function will normally take 16 hours to charge a battery so leaving on for 24 hours would not be too much of a problem. As already mentioned the old timers had a manual switch on or off which would be reset when a pin hits it so one pin in off position would turn it off and it would stay off until manually set to on. However it would require one on each battery charger and those chargers which latch once the voltage has peaked or the battery has become warm do not want to have power removed unless it is permanently removed.
Some chargers have stages. Often three stage constant current until set voltage reached then constant high volts until set current is reached then float voltage to stop the internal drain of battery allowing it to become flat again. These charges should be left on 24/7.
Some charges have links which can be altered with my Icom PMR radios this requires a soldering iron and of course the instruction book to know which link and it can be selected to either discharge the battery before charging or to just charge. I set one of 6 charging slots to discharge first as after a power cut one could return to find all batteries flat.
So be very careful which chargers you put on timers.

Hi, just spotted these in a shop in town - I know it's not exactly what you were asking for initially, however could be a good solution for any of those up to 1-hour quick chargers that you get with power tools etc.. that we always forget to turn off !

The link below is to a fleabay seller, but the ones I saw were Masterplug ones on offer for just £2.99 at a branch of Home Bargains. (Cheap enough to use one for each charger)

Timer can be set for "off after" ... 5 - 50 minutes.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electronic-Co...temQQimsxZ20090519?IMSfp=TL090519183004r32609

Might be of use somewhere !

pack off 3 timers for around £10

1x 6 gang and 3 x 4 gang extension leads

6 way with 3 timers [with 4 way extensions plugged in]set for specific times say 90 mins 4 hrs and 16 hrs according to groups you require all timing from say 1900
you set them to charge and leave the chargers plugged in
then all you do is unplug any chargers in the morning and make shure the next lot are in by 1900

this way theres nowt to set just chargers to plug/unplug or swich off at relivent extension