I've got to replace a light in the kitchen, 100W incandescent, with a flourescent tube. Currently the switch to the light is a nifty combined timer/switch. Bought at B&Q a few years ago. It's made by Kingshield (Couldn't find a link). It uses the bulb to complete the circuit and power the clock/timer. It can be set to work just as a switch, or to come on and off at set times.
I'm loath to lose the timer functionality, but can anyone suggest a way of getting it to work with a flourescent. My initial thought is to use a 240V relay to switch the flourescent, and use the switch to work the relay. Because the relay will pass a small current, the switch will stay powered.
Good idea ? Bad idea ? Or is there a better way ?
FWIW, it's a little galling that with the immenent demise of incandescent bulbs, and CFLs appearing everywhere, there is still little support for them wrt to dimmers, timers, switches etc .....