Countdown Timer?

[NFLnut]

I have a small desktop style aquarium with a hood that I am looking for a way to press a button on a controlled outlet that the small filter is plugged into such as this

(preferably even, the button on the device) to turn the filter off that will automatically turn the filter back on after, say, 10 minutes. I tried this with an old X10 plugin and X10 is just not reliable in my house. Hence the move to Insteon or Z-wave (Insteon is just way too expensive, so I may move to Z-wave since my ISY has Z-wave built in). I tried setting this up as a program in the ISY manager, but as I said X10 is just not reliable so I cannot even test it. Also, further complicating things, I need a two prong plugin since the power strip does not allow for a three prong plug, and the hood is too small to allow for a 3-to-2 prong adapter (the small filter does not draw more than a light bulb, so voltage shouldn't be a problem). Is this possible? Does anyone know of compact Insteon or Z-wave plugs that would allow this?

Edited March 14, 2018 by NFLnut

[KeviNH]

Any Insteon or Z-Wave device with reliable status reporting would be easy enough to have an ISY program turn it back on 10 minutes after the "status" changes to Off.   However, all the appliance modules I have experience with are 3-prong.

Using a lamp module could be problematic, depending on how the filter reacts to being "dimmed".

[lilyoyo1]

I would avoid a dimming product at all costs and get a new strip that would support a 3 prong device. Insteon and quality zwave devices are about the same price (insteon may be a little cheaper in some cases).

If you don't already have a zwave mesh network setup, you may need additional devices for your ISY to reliably talk to the zwave module you purchase which means greater cost.

[stusviews]

Info only: whether a plug (or receptacle) is 2-prong or 3-prong is independent of the voltage or amperage. A 2-prong device has two conductors, line and neutral. A 3-prong device adds a ground wire. Although it's true that 3-prong devices are usually used on devices that have a higher ampere rating, the only purpose of the ground is safety.

The suggestion by lilyoyo1 to use a 3-prong power strip is a practical and easy solution.

[NFLnut]

I wound up using a Z-wave device that looks almost exactly as the one I posted. Bought it on Amazon. I also changed out the small power strip with a three-prong model that I found that was about the same size. I had to also buy a Z-wave repeater that I plugged into the outlet next to the power strip as the switch couldn't communicate well with the ISY. Once I plugged that in, the ISY communicates perfectly and does exactly what I want. I needed a timer for the filter/pump to turn off for 15 minutes during feedings because the filter was sucking in much of the food and quickly clogging up. We'll see if this extends the amount of time between deep cleanings.