timer to turn off powerheads for half hour?

N

nyc joe

Guest
Hey all.
I am looking for a timer that constantly runs, but when you hit a switch or button, it turns it off for a set amount of time, lets say 15-30 mins. then turns back on automatically.
I would like to do this for feedings, so everyone can eat, then not have to worry about turning them back on, as I know one day I WILL forget and everything will get ruined.
I am having a hard time finding this, any hints will be helpful.
Does this even exist?
something like a spring wound wall switch timer, but backwards
always on, 15-30 off...
-Joe
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
How good are you are DIY? I use a bathroom timer. You twist the knob, the pumps go off and it starts ticking away. I built one about 10 years ago and still use it to this day. I built a few more since then and took pictures of the process. I always meant to put it together as a guide and can do so if putting one together for cheap is something you would be interested in.
 
casper1875

casper1875

Member
The VorTech powerheads have a feeding mode and night time settings. You can get battery back up for them also. I have them on my wish list. No electrical lines in the aquarium either.
 
S

shrimpy brains

Guest
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3176893
This is the one I made for 15 bucks.

How do you make it turn off, when you turn the timer, and back on when time runs out?? The picture leads one to beleive it would do the opposite. Did you re wire it somehow??
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Originally Posted by Shrimpy Brains
http:///forum/post/3176894
How do you make it turn off, when you turn the timer, and back on when time runs out?? The picture leads one to beleive it would do the opposite. Did you re wire it somehow??
I'm wondering the same thing...
 
N

nyc joe

Guest
that is exactly what i was looking for, but backwards!
Please, please, please do a write up!
Ive held that in my hand and tried to figure out how to make it backwards. always on, sometimes off.
Im pretty handy, spend way too much time, and money at home depot.
Thanx
-Joe
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Originally Posted by NYC Joe
http:///forum/post/3177061
that is exactly what i was looking for, but backwards!
Please, please, please do a write up!
Ive held that in my hand and tried to figure out how to make it backwards. always on, sometimes off.
Im pretty handy, spend way too much time, and money at home depot.
Thanx
-Joe
Basically, what you need in addition to the parts shown in the photograph is either an SPDT or a DPDT relay with a 115v coil, and probably a socket to make things easy. Radio Shaft and Fry's both stock them, or you can order them from someplace like Jameco, MCM, or Parts Express.
You wire the timer to control the relay's coil, and nothing else. Then you wire the receptacle to be switched through the relay's normally closed contacts.
So the way it works... when the timer is not "on", the coil of the relay is at rest and the normally closed contacts are closed, sending power to the receptacle. When you turn on the timer, the relay coil energizes, opening the switch and turning off the outlet...
It's actually really simple to do as long as you aren't afraid to work with electricity a bit.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
I can't tell ya the pictures I've run across looking for this project. I really need to get in there and organize.
But I found them. I will put it together. I need to find the notebook I kept at that time that described it as I was doing it.
I really need someone to find a system for for organizing, storing and retrieving my stuff.
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
my reefkeeper 2 does that. hit 1 button and it will turn off anything i have set as a pump for the amount of time i set it. You can find them pretty cheap now since there no longer in production and everyone is upgrading to the RKE and Apex controllers.
 
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