Replace spring wound timer for steam shower with digital timer

9 years ago

I am replacing a spring wound timer for a steam shower with a digital timer, Leviton LTB30-1LZ Decora 1800W Incandescent/20A Resistive-Inductive 1HP Preset 5-10-15-30 Minute Countdown Timer Switch. Is this timer's rating acceptable for this situation?

The old timer has a black and white wire which are connected to 14/2, ground not being used. The 14/2 is connected to the steam generator to two red wires forming the loop when the timer is on.

The steam generator is connected to the panel with 10/2 Romex in cable, white and black to two black wires in the steam generator , and ground to ground.

The steam generator is a Steamist LT-75

Heater load: 240volts, Ph 1, 7.Kw, max amps-31

Control Circuit: Volts 24, Amps .15, 50/60HZ

Since the new timer will have 4 wires, I will have to replace the 14/2 with 14/3. How will I connect the 14/3 to the steam generator?

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Comments (7)

Ron Natalie
9 years ago
Are we talking about replacing the TM-30 timer that came with the unit? This isn't a 120V or 240V. The wires that feed it are low voltage signals that get closed when you want the device to run. You can't legally do what you want. The timer you are looking at (and most of them ones I can imagine) want 120V to run and switch 120V. While this one has a motorized switch closure rather than using an SCR/TRIAC inside, the devices aren't rated to properly isolate the low voltage from the 120V in most likelihood. Your best bet would be to see if Steamist offers a nicer timer.
adam_nmn_roth
Original Author
9 years ago
The unit is 27 years old and the original timer was not the TM-30 which is battery operated. The original timer was mechanical and electrified and manufactured by M.H.Rhodes, Inc. (20A. 125 V.A,C, 1HP. 125 V.A.C., 10A. 250 V.A.C, 10A. 277 V.A.C, 7A, 125 V.A.C.T.)
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Ron Natalie
9 years ago
You should contact the manufacturer.

The problem is you can get away with a purely mechanical timer as there is no 120V in that box. If you want to use a 120V-controlled timer, you'd need 120V there to power the timer. The problem is that it will then be illegal to also have low voltage wiring on that unit (not listed for it nor is the wiring likely rated sufficiently).
adam_nmn_roth
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Ron.

I contacted Steamist today and their solution was to buy a new unit.

I will go with a new mechanical timer.
Mark Wilkerson
5 years ago
This is an old thread, but I am in the same situation (20 years old) and wonder if a mechanical time replacement will work.
Ron Natalie
5 years ago
A mechanical timer will work. Now that I've thought about it there is an intermatic timer that is battery operated and uses a motorized switch that might work as well.
The Dali Llama
4 years ago
I want to replace my mechanical timer with a digital one for this steam shower. The switch is not low voltage as you stated. I *measured 120v.

I am not an electrician not have I looked inside the box at the wiring, but I suspect the mechanical timer is just part of a switch loop.