A/C--Weird Plug--Want a timer--Ideas?

I just got a room A/C unit (supplied by my Apt complex mgr) and wanted to get a timer to put on it. However, the wall outlet has two horizontal slots and the one round hole. The plug from the unit has the corresponding horizontal connectors and the one round connector.

The ONLY A/C timer I was able to find had one horiz, one vert and one round hole. Now I'm confused--what do I need to ask for?

TIA

 

You will find that the A/C unit is 240V (2 horiz blades). I am not aware of a plug in accesory timer for 240V, but it's posible. Check the amps on the A/C unit nameplate and take that to an electrical supply.

 

This link will take you to a NEMA straight blade chart at Leviton.
http://www.leviton.com/sections/techsupp/nema.htm
I believe you have a NEMA 6-15R
otherwise known as 15amp240volt.
Unfortunately there are no lamp/appliance timers available to the consumer market to accomodate this one. The timer you bought is 20amp, I'm not sure which voltage it would be.
Also, given the circuit would be 15A, and you are not the owner, changing the receptacle and/or wiring and/or circuit breaker to 20A is out of the question.
I'm guessing you want a timer to start the unit, say an hour before returning home from work? The better model of A/Cs have the programmable electronic controls, often with a timer.
Is there any way you could get another unit?

The real soultion is to have a built-in timer with the receptacle.
The Intermatic unit would not be cheap.
gj

 

Somehow I doubt that. She special ordered this just because I asked for an A/C for my bedroom.

I seem to remember having similar trouble when I first moved in a few years ago. I wanted a timer for my living room A/C unit. When I went to get one, I had trouble finding one. I don't remember EXACTLY what the problem was, but I THINK it was the same issue with the plug (I do KNOW that it was related to the plug). Someone at HD pointed me in the direction of an electrical supply house about a 1/2 hr away from me. I was able to get a timer from them and have been using it ever since then. I'll check tonight to see if it has the same plug configuration.

Thanks.

 

I took at look at the link you provided--thanks for that by the way--as best I can tell the ones labeled 6-30r and 6-30p look closer to what I have. the "round" hole rather small--about the same size as you'd see on a normal grounded outlet.

In fact this outlet is the same size as a normal outlet--just turn the two slots on their sides.

Edit: in taking a closer look at them, I think maybe you're right--the 6-15's are closer. I'm going from memory here--I'm at work right now.

 

Buy a time clock that can be mounted on the wall and drop two cords out the bottom - one with a 6-15R (receptacle) and one with a 6-15P (cord cap (plug)). Plug your homemade timer into the receptacle and the A/C plug into your timer receptacle.

 

mcjunk, you stole stole my plan! I was going to suggest the same.
Go to lowes, homeDepot, etc. or the local supply house, or both.
A 24 hour time clock rated for 240v (needs to be a 2-pole, rated for the amount of HP and amps from the A/c), the timer inside must be rated for 240v.
Get a couple of feet of 14-3 SJ type cord, an industrial grade plug and matching connector
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...000000334-5666
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...000000334-5669
Be sure to have either 3/8" romex connectors, or even better use --> cord connectors-go to the supply house for them.
picture of cord grip:
The directions that come with the timer should explain the connections. Don't hesitate to ask more about how to assemble this.

 

?????
A 24 hour time clock? I've never heard of such a thing. Are these expensive?

 

The suggestion was something like http://www.tork.com/main6n2.htm
or
http://www.tork.com/main7n2.htm
with the input and output run out with recept and plug to essentially intercept the permanant wall recept.

 

Ask for a water heater timer @ Lowes. They are $23 each.

 

Thanks for all the help gang!

I just came from the same electrical supply store that I told you about above. I described the outlet and right away, he told me that's a 15v 220 amp outlet. He pulled out a catalog, and found me an "Intermatic" timer for $14. He had to special order it for me.

I should have it next weekend.

Edit: I may have mis-spoke, might be 15v 240 amp.

 

For fun, could you post what the manuf. name and model number they sold you when you pick it up? It is probably rated 240V, 15A.

 

I'll do that as soon as I have it in my hands. All I know right now is that it said "Intermatic" in the catalog next to the picture of the timer--right next to the timer was a picture of an outlet just like mine.

 

Like the unit on the top of the following web page http://www.intermatic.com/consumer/hb112c.htm

 

HandiRon,

Thats a neat looking little timer. I didn't know that there was such a thing. Sure makes adding one to a circuit simple enough.

 

Yep--that looks like the one in his catalog and the number does sound familiar (he rattled it off to me when I was there I just don't remember it).