ON/OFF TIMER

KStatefan · Jul 2, 2021

EASTERN INDIGO said:
Thanks. There are plenty of on/off timers. I do not want to set times. I want the pump to be ON 24/7, and the I want to just walk up to it, turn a dial to 5 min, 20 min, whatever, and walk away knowing that in 5 or 20 or how ever many minutes later it will turn itself back on. In other words, a variable timed interrutor.

So this? Put it in a handy box and add pigtails.

lagatbezan · Jul 2, 2021

snorklr said:
let us know what you find...been looking for something to delay the start up of my skimmer when whole house generator kicks in and the sump is overfull from the return pump being off...currently have it on a remote switch that wont come back on till i hit the button on it which is ok till i'm away

Here you go:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-skimmer-delay-timer-switch.328738/

@EASTERN INDIGO this will do what you want as well.

srobertb · Jul 2, 2021

EASTERN INDIGO said:
You are correct. I am looking for the exact opposite. I live alone and have a very very bad short term memory. Besides the emotional cost, that crash killed almost 3k of eels and a shark. Not fair to the animals. As a matter of fact, I just posted this same post (rewritten) ten minutes ago because I forgot I did it three days ago. Not Alzheimer's; just a lifelong focus disability.

The best I can think is a wi-fi timer with a schedule to kick on every 30 minutes or an hour. PITA to program but no matter what it will always kick back on in a maximum of 30 minutes. They have buttons on them so you can turn it off manually for feeding and maintenance.

lagatbezan · Jul 2, 2021

This is a great gadget that will work for what you want to do as well.
it has a manual on/off button on the side as well as a schedule feature that allows you independent on - off programming. Which means you can program just several on command schedules for it to just turn on.
For example Set 4 “on” schedule for like 7am, 12pm, 12am. 8pm. This way if you ever forget to turn it back on, it will automatically turn it on for you at those times if the device is off.
Cheap and programing is extremely easy. Plus you have controls on your phone as well as mobile confirmation to know if your pumps/devices are on or off.

srobertb · Jul 2, 2021

lagatbezan said:
This is a great gadget that will work for what you want to do as well.
it has a manual on/off button on the side as well as a schedule feature that allows you independent on - off programming. Which means you can program just several on command schedules for it to just turn on.
For example Set 4 “on” schedule for like 7am, 12pm, 12am. 8pm. This way if you ever forget to turn it back on, it will automatically turn it on for you at those times if the device is off.
Cheap and programing is extremely easy. Plus you have controls on your phone as well as mobile confirmation to know if your pumps/devices are on or off.

I have a couple brands of wifi stuff. Meross is the brand I chose for my garage door opener and I like the app. It has a notification setting of “your garage door has been open for x minutes, would you like to close it?” It’s the same app for the timers and may have the ability to set the same reminder.

snorklr · Jul 2, 2021

lagatbezan...thanks, just put the 203f in the cart...just curious the pic of the unit has "cut wire for 120 use" printed on it...do you need to cut that little loop of red wire in the center?...btw originally from LI too...

lagatbezan · Jul 3, 2021

snorklr said:
lagatbezan...thanks, just put the 203f in the cart...just curious the pic of the unit has "cut wire for 120 use" printed on it...do you need to cut that little loop of red wire in the center?...btw originally from LI too...

Yes, you will need to cut the loop.
That’s awesome. Where are you living now?

snorklr · Jul 4, 2021

north carolina...north of charlotte...sure miss the food but not the cost of living

madlos123 · Jul 4, 2021

I have one of the mechanical timer at home depot that have the red and green tabs.

Just put the green tab in 1 hour before or turn it. and turn the switch off. Once it hits the green tab it will turn on.

It will stay on until you manually turn it off. Since the red tabs turns it off, dont put any.

It will turn and stay on even with the green tab.

Intermatic 15 Amp 24-Hour Indoor Plug-In Timer, White TN311K - The Home Depot

The TN311 Series provides a quick and easy way to automate ON/OFF schedules and plugs directly into standard wall outlets. Simply set the on/off trippers into the desired time slots, and then plug the

www.homedepot.com

madlos123 · Jul 4, 2021

No I wiring needed. No programming. Just tabs. Just plug it in and put the appliance.

SteveMM62Reef · Jul 5, 2021

Wiring Diagram for Reverse Timer.

ClownWrangler · Jul 6, 2021

I like this one. It makes for a clean panel mount application and it's versatile. You could use this to turn a wave maker on and off at intervals measured in seconds as well. The first mode of operation is what we want for this application though.

P1-0 Load is off until (T1 or PV) time counts down to 0 then the load will come on and stay on.

EASTERN INDIGO · Jul 11, 2021

WVNed said:
Do you have a friend with basic electric wiring skills? You dont have to wire this into a wall.
You are making a power cord with the relay in the middle

The one I linked on Amazon is $17.
You would also need a decent extension cord, a wall switch, a box with cover, all available at home depot.

Cut the extension cord in half and you have your plug in and outlet.

So you cut one of the switch holes out for the dial.
You end up with a power cord with a box in the middle that has a switch and a dial

Or even easier
skip the switch, just unplug it and plug it back in when you want to reset it. It would do the same thing.

Plug what you want to delay turning on for 1-60 minutes into it.
2 & 7 are your coil, which will remain constantly energized even after the relay times out. 8 & 5 are your delay off, 8 and 6 are your delay on.

The numbers refer to the connections on the base socket.

This is basic make it yourself DIYing

I don't have a shot in the world of doing this successfully. I can build things on the fly, but I cannot follow plans that other people write for me. Just a function of ADD and advanced age. MY MAJOR PROBLEM IS THAT I CANNOT DO ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES ME TO REMEMBER ANYTHING, LIKE PLUGGING BACK IN OR PRESSING A BUTTON WHEN I'M DONE. I WILL FORGET ALMOST EVERY TIME. I NEED TO SET IT AND FORGET IT. WALK UP TO IT, TURN A SWITCH OR PRESS A BUTTON TO CUT OFF THE POWER, AND THEN JUST WALK AWAY. For all you post Vietnam babies out there, just wait; a LARGE percentage of you will see for yourselves.

EASTERN INDIGO · Jul 11, 2021

Addendum: When I was in my 40s and my father was in his 70s I used to visit him. If my visit resulted in a plan for anything in the immediate future, he INSISTED on writing it down. Something like, "Don't forget the ice chest (which was huge and bright red) Dad," and he wouldn't let me walk out until he was done writing it down. In my relatively youthful arrogance I just couldn't comprehend how he could forget something so big and obvious. Too bad for me he's not alive for me to apologize.

madlos123 · Jul 11, 2021

I just linked that plug in timer that you only need to turn it off then turn the knob and it will turn it self on automatically. thats i am using now and is the best and easiest solution.

Intermatic 15 Amp 24-Hour Indoor Plug-In Timer, White TN311K - The Home Depot

The TN311 Series provides a quick and easy way to automate ON/OFF schedules and plugs directly into standard wall outlets. Simply set the on/off trippers into the desired time slots, and then plug the

www.homedepot.com

ClownWrangler · Jul 11, 2021

EASTERN INDIGO said:
Addendum: When I was in my 40s and my father was in his 70s I used to visit him. If my visit resulted in a plan for anything in the immediate future, he INSISTED on writing it down. Something like, "Don't forget the ice chest (which was huge and bright red) Dad," and he wouldn't let me walk out until he was done writing it down. In my relatively youthful arrogance I just couldn't comprehend how he could forget something so big and obvious. Too bad for me he's not alive for me to apologize.

I understand where you are coming from. I was an avionics and weapons systems tech in the Marine Corps for 5 years, excelled quickly, then as a contractor for another five before going to college for Mechanical Engineering. I was top of the class in STEM out of high school, but now have trouble switching focus from one thing to another due to the stresses and cumulative damage from my time in service. It was a struggle for me, but I finally made it through and will be looking for a a job soon. My work is above reproach when I can immerse myself in it, but ending up looking like a ****** when rushed, hence the struggle in college. I came across a lot of arrogance which was pretty demoralizing.

The device you want makes sense, and I know how to accomplish it. However the investment to develop, manufacture and market such a device, as simple as it is would not pay for itself in a niche market due to the expense of meeting regulatory approvals for something that plugs into an outlet. This is why its going to be hard to get someone to make something for you. Liability. I have been busy, too busy to do this for myself but have been meaning to.

I have a Christmas tree light timer where you just push a button for 5min/30min/1hr ect and it comes on then turns off after the prescribed time. I opened it up and found that it had a single pole single throw relay. Bummer. This means I will have to find another relay that fits the board to reverse the function. I'm thinking of contacting the company and seeing if they will make a limited run of these with reverse function at wholesale price. If I can do this, I'll put some up for sale and post a link. When I have some time I'll try to put something together and get back with you.

Meanwhile, just set a timer or alarm to remind you to turn your pump back on. I have been doing that.

WVNed · Jul 11, 2021

EASTERN INDIGO said:
I don't have a shot in the world of doing this successfully. I can build things on the fly, but I cannot follow plans that other people write for me. Just a function of ADD and advanced age. MY MAJOR PROBLEM IS THAT I CANNOT DO ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES ME TO REMEMBER ANYTHING, LIKE PLUGGING BACK IN OR PRESSING A BUTTON WHEN I'M DONE. I WILL FORGET ALMOST EVERY TIME. I NEED TO SET IT AND FORGET IT. WALK UP TO IT, TURN A SWITCH OR PRESS A BUTTON TO CUT OFF THE POWER, AND THEN JUST WALK AWAY. For all you post Vietnam babies out there, just wait; a LARGE percentage of you will see for yourselves.

You are not the only one facing some brain type issues you have to deal with. I have Parkinsons disease.
I take 10 pills and stick a patch on my body every day so I can function sort of like I used to.

It's not about what you cant do. It's about what you can.

Maybe I can make this and send it to you. I have some specific questions.

Please click on my user name and then Start a Conversation.

Malcontent · Jul 11, 2021

Amazon.com : short cycle timer

I have two of the Nearpows but one of the other products might better suit you. These have a timed mode (among other things) that will turn on after a set amount of time and stay on.