30 min. timer switch, anyone have one?

[shinny]

I would like to be able to hit a button and turn off my pumps and filters for 30 min. and then I would feed my fish. After 30 minutes, the pumps would come back on. Any ideas? I know somebody has to be doing this. Thanks.

 

[marm64]

I was looking for the same thing and the best I could find was the rotary timers, like the ones for bathroom exhaust fans, that are normaly closed and open when the timer is wound. The only place that I could find them was at Grainger. I can not remember the model numbers or anything but I think that the name brand was Intermatic. You might be able to find them at an electrical supply place.

 

[Snarkys]

can use a mechanical timer, just turn it off and turn the knob so it will turn back on in a half hour.

 

[30mini]

I think the fan timers that marm64 is looking at are actually a really good idea! If you can get them to work right for what you need it to, and can wire it up... go for it!

 

[Snarkys]

fan timers are normally off though and only allows you to turn something "on" for a short while. there a easy way to flip it ?

 

[merlock116]

i saw a thread where someone got the standard rotary mechanical timer with a BUNCH of green "on" switches on them.

when he fed, he would manually switch it off, then 15-30 min later an on switch would turn the pump back on.

 

[shinny]

yea, I was thinking about a fan timer or something. I don't know if you could reverse it so it was on most of the time and you could switch the timer off. Anybody else?

 

[wife no likey]

Look on ebay for agastat time delay relays. There are a bunch of different models that vary in the amount of time you can set.

Here's one that does 1-10 min

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AGASTADT-MO...ryZ78206QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[marm64]

Here is the one from Grainger it is a 2 hour timer. This one is a spdt, single pull double throw, so it has one contact that opens up and one that closes when you turn the timer. I thought that you could get normal one that opens when the timer is turned but could not find it on the Intermatic web site. If you want to mess with relays and stuff you can use a normal timer but then you will have to find somewhere to put all the extra crap. This is a pretty good deal for $36.

 

[rick s]

Here is a post I did in a thread awhile ago. If you need more info, ask away:

I wired an Intermatic, standard in-wall, spring wound, house timer in an electrical box. I used a good quality extension cord, cut one wire and ran it to the terminals on the timer, and then plugged my main pump into the end.

When I feed, I turn the dial on the timer to whatever time I want. The pump stops, and all my food stays in the main tank. After whatever time I set it to, it turns back on.

The beauty of it is I can never forget to turn it back on. The timer I bought also has a position that will keep it off indefinitely, if I want to use it.

Make sure the timer you get has N.O. and N.C. contacts. Most timers turn things ON for a period of time. They use Normally Open (N.O. ) contacts. You want it to turn the pump OFF for a period of time. You want one that also has Normally Closed (N.C.) contacts.

ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œNormallyââ"šÂ¬Ã‚means its normal, or rest, position (when the timer is not doing anything).
Normally Open means: In the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œrestââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ position, the circuit is open (disconnected). No power goes through the timer.
Normally Closed means: In the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œrestââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ position, the circuit is closed. The contacts are connected. Power is going through the timer to whatever is wired to it. You want to run the wires to the N.C. terminals. I got mine from my local electrical supply store.

I used the Intermatic, model FF32HH (SPDT) timer. It has the HOLD feature. I chose a 2 hour timer because a simple 1/4 turn (one twist of the wrist) will turn it off for 30 minutes (rather than having to turn the knob twice). Wire it according to the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œReverse Action Switchingââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ Directions.

The ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œFFââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ model has a brushed aluminum faceplate.
You can get an ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œFDââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ model. It has an ivory color faceplate and knob.

Hope this helps.

 

[shinny]

rick S, that is borderline exactly what I want. I was also wondering if it was possible to wire one like you did and you explained it perfectly. At least until I get to running wires, it seems like you cleared everything up. Thanks and I am going to look for one of those timers. Where did you get yours? Electrical supply, HD, anywhere on the web? Thanks.

 

[rick s]

I believe Home Depot carries various "times." They didn't have the 2 hour one that I wanted so I got mine at my local electrical supply store. Just make sure it is capable of the "Reverse Action Switching." If you have any other questions, ask away.