DIY how to: Quick and Dirty Feed Timer

[funman1]

ok as most know I have a new prop tank I have been working on.
Well I've wanted to shut down the main return pump durring feeding.

So here's what I did to make an Auto Turn ON timer.
I can't take full credit for this, a LONG time ago JLFnJLF did one similar and I learned from his that there are Normally CLOSED wind up timers out there... So I found one...

Parts list.
(1) BR20 (Regular 20 Amp industrial plug) $6.00
(1) Normally closed wind up timer (Intermatic) $30.00
(1) Blue 2 gang residential cut in box $2.00
(1) Used Computer cord $1.00
(1) Cover palte for plug and switch $0.50

Total cost out the door ~$39.00

My camera FREAKED OUT after the first picture, so pardon the really sucky colors on the pics after the first shot, (Guess Santa needs to bring me a new camera?)

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS, if you don't know electricity very well, or are uncomfortable with it.
I'm not responsible for your saftey!!!
These are not complete 100% instructions on how to acomplish this!!
Do at your own risk!!

This will keep the plug ON untill the timer is wound up and then the plug will shut OFF untill the timer winds out and turns it back ON!

THE WIRE IN MOST COMPUTER PLUGS IS ONLY GOOD FOR 3-5 AMPS!!! SO DO NOT ATTACH MORE THAN 3-5 AMPS WORTH OF STUFF TO EITHER PLUG!!!

Ok here's the parts needed..

Then cut the end of the cord off and strip the pvc coating off
Insert into back of blue box
Take the plug and break off the HOT side tab that connects the top plug and the bottom plug. (This way the top plug is ALWAYS on and the bottom is switched.)
Connect the neutral and grounds acordingly, and the hot to the top plug and another wire to jump to the timer.

Attach another wire to the hot of the bottom plug, this will also go to the timer, so you should have one wire from the top plug ALSO connected to the power in. AND one wire from the bottom plug as shown..

Connect to the timer and insert

Add cover plate

Add windup timer cover plate with time marks

And you're done... Enjoy!!

 

[MrMikeB]

Am I the only one thinking that Steve should start his own show? I mean - wow... electrical wizard here and we have barely begun to tap his vast crazi...I mean knowledge.

Good show Steve!!

 

[funman1]

hahah
Thanks Mike

 

[Jim_S]

I've been meaning to build one of these myself.

Did you order the closed timer online? Or are they readily available at most hardware stores?

 

[WarrenG]

Nice project!

Most of those timers are intended for use with bathroom fans and they can't handle high current. But some timers are made to use with whole house fans and they can handle lots of current, so make sure you're using one that's made for the current demands.

You can also use one of the timers with push buttons (Lowes and HD for $25) for the amount of time you want something on, like a bathroom fan, along with a Normally-Closed relay. These timers come in the decora shape to fit nicely in a decora cover plate.

 

[bladeruner143]

I don't get what this does? It is just a regular timer? Sorry for the Noob questions Steve!

 

[Jim_S]

Exactly.

You plug your return into the timer. When you go to feed, you just turn the dial and your pump will turn off for the amount of time you set it to.

The confusion lies in the specific style of timer you need for the application.

 

[bladeruner143]

OOOOhhhhhhh! It all makes sense now!!!

 

[funman1]

I got it at my supply house CED (Consolidated Electrical Distributers)
They had to special order it.

The thing it does that's not normal is that it turns device OFF for the timer setting INSTEAD of turning it ON for the timer setting.

Like in a bathroom fan, you dail up 15 mins and it keeps the fan ON for 15 mins.

This one does the opisite, the bathroom fan would always be ON and when you set the timer it would keep it OFF for 15 mins.

So it's practical use in the hobby is shutting off the return for feeding. Then having it turn stuff back on after the timer runs out..

You can acomplish this with a regular timer but then you must a relay to the whole setup, complicating it a bit more and taking more room.