I Wish To Install A Mechanical Timer In An Existing Electric Baseboard Heating System. What Would I Use And How Can This Be Accomplished?
The timer should be an hour or less. NOTE: I have a good working knowledge of electricity. I simply need to know about the needed parts.

Well, it may not be the very best way, but have you considered energy saving timers for electric hot water systems ? I say this because you must ensure what ever timer you use can handle the higher current load of a heater

I've had problems getting back to this site . This is my second attempt.Here goes.
I have a lightly used basement with 2 sections of baseboard heating. i.e. Single thermostat, 240V, double ganged circuit breakers. I want to control the heaters with a manual mechanical timer so the kids don't leave the system on when they leave. I'm thinking an hour or less.
What parts can I use. To achieve this end? I have a good working knowledge of electric circuits. I need help to come up with an acceptable method.

What I think you want is a twist timer, like the one in the photo. However, the timer switch needs to be rated for 15 or 20 amps at 240 volt.

Unfortunately,I am not familiar with such a timer that can handle 240 volts.

What can be done is to use a single pole timer , such as the one I offer, and have it control the coil of a 2 pole definite purpose contactor that can handle the heat circuit.

You can find both the contactor (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1611601613) and timer (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1611599084) at Grainger.

The timer can be placed at or near the light switches for the basement, and the contactor can be placed in an enclosure at the panel, and wired to iintercept the heater branch circuit wiring from the 2 pole breaker before it goes out to the heater.

If this sounds like something you want to tackle and need more help with let me know.

Thank You TK. The principle is what I was looking for.You answered the question. I will work with this. That contactor needs 24v for the coil so it looks like I will need a 24v transformer as well. That works.

I did not look at the coil voltage just grabbed a picture of a DP contactor. You can do this with 120 volts , you can find a contactor with a 120 volts very easily. I am not sure if the timer will work without 120 volts.

Just as a follow up there are defenitely 240 volt 15-20 amp timers available. Grainger offers a few 120 volt input timer that are rated to control 240/40-50 amps max.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml?xi=xi&operator=keywordSearch&search_type=brand&QueryString=PARAGON&action=Go!

Learn something new everyday.The 240 volt 2000 watt timer wall switch will do the job also. I searched everyone except Paragon.

Good info, Morrow.

I have a problem similar to Rebeau's. We have a Great Room that has warm air heating that is supplemented with baseboard heting that we use when it gets very cold up north here. There are three or four baseboard heters (14 to 16' length)controlled by a single thermostat. I want to control the heaters with a manual mechanical timer so so it switches off after the set time (30 min to say 3 hours) has elapsed. I need to have a decent looking switch as this is upsatirs living space. I am not an electrician but can wire a switch. Any help?