Timer shut off for Soldering Station

[angelodp]

You guys use a timer device for your soldering station. I keep forgetting to shut it off and even when I have I find myself bolting up in the middle of the night to check and see if I have shut it off.

Would love to see a simple plan for a shutoff timer used on a soldering station.

Ange

[C Moore]

Any hardware store will sell a timer that plugs into a receptacle.
I always unplug my iron........
Best

[KT66]

That's what I was gonna suggest, using one of those timers like people use to turn their Xmas lights on and off, like this one for example : http://cgi.ebay.com/ELECTRIC-CHRISTMAS- ... 19c40218fc

I just plug everything on my bench ( the light fixture, irons, scope etc.) into a really long power strip that I got at Fry's and when I'm done I just have to flip one switch to know it is all off : http://www.frys.com/product/5960984?sit ... IN_RSLT_PG

[Phil_S]

I've got mine on the same branch as an overhead light socket. When I switch off the light, the iron is also off. When I leave the basement, I turn off the lights and I know it isn't a problem waiting to happen. It's what I call a belt and suspenders solution. I figure any one of us is capable of wiring up a wall socket like that.

[Super_Reverb]

You guys use a timer device for your soldering station.

Could use a bathroom type timer (we have one that goes to 3-4 hours: have seen them for 15min or 60min also) and place it in a double metal outlet box - timer + outlet - take an extension cord and cut off the receptacle end and wire it up. Add a faceplate and you're done.

My bench is wired up with a set of outlet boxes, heavy switch, and connected with pvc conduit across the back. Everything on the bench is plugged into the circuit. There is a night light plugged in to circuit that tells me if the strip is hot. It works for me, although I do tend to go back and check to verify it's off.

cheers,

rob

[gearhead]

I've got mine on the same branch as an overhead light socket. When I switch off the light, the iron is also off. When I leave the basement, I turn off the lights and I know it isn't a problem waiting to happen. It's what I call a belt and suspenders solution. I figure any one of us is capable of wiring up a wall socket like that.

I've got a similar thing.

Have a powerbar/surge protector sitting on the edge of my work bench. -Everything- gets plugged into that, including my bright work light and soldering iron. Purposefully leave the light's switch in the on position, so have to use the bars on/off switch to turn it off.

[Structo]

That's a good way to do it.
I use a power strip as well and plug my work light that is sort of a desk light and my iron into.
When I walk away I turn the power strip off.

[angelodp]

Thanks guys... I have the same power strip with a light... but even then I have walked away without shutting down!!! So I want a timer to be extra careful, but the timers I find are for lower wattage devices and do not accept a three prong device?

Thanks Ange

[Phil_S]

Get a shop worklight. These sell at places like Home Depot for under $10. Get the kind that takes a 60W incandescent. I know it's not environmentally conscious any more to use incandescent, but for our kind of work, we don't like a florescent inducing hum when testing a live amp, so we get a work related exception. Anyhow, hang that lamp near the bench and plug it into the power strip. Then, you'll never forget to turn off the power strip because the big overhead lamp will remind you!

[David Root]

The Weller WES51 station has an auto timer built in. I have two of them, however one of them no longer times out any more. I have not yet gotten around to finding out why.

[jmohr58]

Hi everyone,
Another option is if you have a more recent coffee maker with a 2hour shutoff that you've replaced due to age or rusting etc. you can strip out the timer/clock circuitry, power cord and all to mount into a box and install a duplex outlet to where the hot plate went.
I have one I've been wondering what to do with.
Sounds like a good use for it.

[Alexo]

...you could build a momentary switch into your chair, so that you have to be sitting at the bench to engage the iron.

[d95err]

I use a simple mechanical rotary 30-minute timer. I just have to remember to reset it once in a while, but that's fairly easy because the relay makes a click when it turns off.

I think it is absolutely necessary to have a timer, because you can so easily get distracted by kids/wife/dog/call of nature/etc and forget the soldering station.