Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

[Tim Frank]

In the master bathroom I have a jacuzzi-type tub.
The pump motor control is a more-than-arms-length-from-tub wall mounted timer....conventional mechanical type. The knob got broken, and a new knob is unavailable; so I am replacing the timer.

Was going to get the same type, but when I was in the store they had a "30 minute digital Countdown timer" for about the same cost.
When I went to install it, the instructions called for a neutral carrier to be part of the wiring. My installation does not have a power cable to the box, and thus no neutral; it is only a switch branch to that box....the timer is just acting as a switch....connect the black and white to the switch....connect ground....and bingo. That passed electrical inspection. (it is all on a GFCI breaker.)

Rather than ignore the instructions ( ) and try to do a workaround, I called the manufacturer's help line and they confirmed that I could not use their device.

Anybody have any idea why not?

 

[bigdee]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

If it is not battery operated then it needs 120 vac to operate,hence the neutral. There is no way around this but to run a comlete circuit.....someone might cheat by using the bare ground...BUT DO NOT do this!!!!

 

[rbh]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

Did you try radio shack/ the source for a knob?
They used to have a good selection, or find an electronic whole sale house they can find you one.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

If it is not battery operated then it needs 120 vac to operate,hence the neutral. There is no way around this but to run a comlete circuit.....someone might cheat by using the bare ground...BUT DO NOT do this!!!!

Around a bath tub?........I'm with you on that!

It will be interesting to see whether I can return the device, I opened the package.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

When did it pass code? Codes change all the time. When we sold our house last years I got hit with installing GFI recepticals on all outlets within 6 feet of water. The code when they built the house in 1990 didn't require this

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

Did you try radio shack/ the source for a knob?
They used to have a good selection, or find an electronic whole sale house they can find you one.

I've tried every local source that you could imagine....and then some.
But thanks for the prod....what I had NOT done was take the old timer out of the wall box to get model and mfr. info.
I called the manufacturer direct....and they may be able to supply the knob.

They are going to let me know.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

When did it pass code? Codes change all the time. When we sold our house last years I got hit with installing GFI recepticals on all outlets within 6 feet of water. The code when they built the house in 1990 didn't require this

1992....Bathroom has a GFCI receptacle and the Jacuzzi has its own GFCI breaker in the panel box in the basement.

I would be surprised if this is a code issue; I see no safety issue at all in the way I have done it and neither did the inspector, so I presume that I met the existing code. Also, I am in Canada. Our codes have some differences.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

You could rewire the tub's circuit if the countdown feature really grabs you.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

Too easy if you think about it for a minute.

You say one wire brings power to the switch and the other returns it to the fixture when the switch is activated. This is a switch loop. There is no power at the switch. Problem is, your digital timer requires power to operate. Can't use a digital timer in a switch loop.

You could install a time delay switch since these only need the hot wires to work.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Digital countdown timer to control Jacuzzi.

Too easy if you think about it for a minute.

You say one wire brings power to the switch and the other returns it to the fixture when the switch is activated. This is a switch loop. There is no power at the switch. Problem is, your digital timer requires power to operate. Can't use a digital timer in a switch loop.

You could install a time delay switch since these only need the hot wires to work.

Yup. Exactly what Bigdee said in post #2.
It simply never registered that you needed to "power" the timer switch....and in fact, now that I realise what this timer does, that wasn't really why I bought it. It was just a little prettier than the manual knob unit that is now "knobless".

I am going back to the store where I bought it this morning to see if they will take it back.
Usual policy is "no return on electrical items".