Programming help for autofeeder

T

thefu

New member
I have an autofeeder that feeds automatically on its own clock, or after being power cycled three times. Here is what I want to do.

I want to be able to have a virtual outlet that when turned "ON" will cycle the power to this autofeeder (on an actual outlet) three times with a three second delay between on-off and off-on cycles.

Then, I could either manually turn on that virtual outlet or program another virtual outlet to feed at the times I desire.

I appreciate the help
 
Specialtang said:
Is it possible to turn on an outlet for less than 1 minute?
Click to expand...
Yes, by using the OSC command. It has a resolution of 1 second.

As for the OP's request, it is fairly simple to set up a Virtual Outlet that has an OSC set up with the desired timing cycle. The trick is to catch it just right and get the desired number of cycles. So, if I understand correctly, you would want:

ON for one second
OFF for three seconds
ON for one second
OFF for three seconds
ON for one second

That would constitute a single feed event?

Todd
 
More like:

On for two seconds
Off for three seconds
On for two seconds
Off for three seconds
On for 15 seconds (drum rolls around on this third power cycle)
 
I guess if the cycle times have to be all equal I could do it with like 8 seconds in between. I timed it and that would allow for a full revolution.

As much as I use it, and as much as it has been explained to me I am still confounded by how the OSC function works.
 
Here is the general approach:

[Feeder]
Fallback OFF
OSC aaa/bbb/ccc Then ON
If Time 16:00 to 15:59 Then OFF

The OSC setups a repeating cycle of OFF aaa > ON bbb > OFF ccc > OFF aaa ...

Then the Time statement overrides it from 16:00 (4 pm) through the next day until 15:59 (3:59 pm) and keeps it OFF. So there is a one minute window where the OSC is 'active'. The problem is the Time command is limited to a one minute resolution. So, if you use an eight second interval, you will get more than three power cycles. Can you use a larger interval?

Todd
 
the intervals can be any length of time so long as the third on interval is at least 8 seconds.

The reason for all this nonsense is that the autofeeder advances (rotates) a tiny bit on power up, a tiny bit more on the next power cycle, and then on the third "on" it advances and then goes all the way back around again dispensing once into the tank.

The reason I want one virtual outlet to make this happen is so that I don't have to keep track of the cycles when I want to do it manually. Obviously if you left it in one of the interim power cycle states it would screw it all up.

Its a Rena LG100

So, in the end, the timings could be 8 seconds, 12 seconds, or 20 seconds, or whatever so long as that third cycle is at least 8 seconds to give the feed drum to complete its revolution.
 
In that case, give this a try:

[Feeder]
Fallback OFF
OSC 000/10/10 Then ON
If Time 16:01 to 16:00 Then OFF

That should give you 3 cycles each of (ON 10 sec, OFF 10 sec). Of course, you can change the time window to whenever you want, I chose 4:00 pm just for the example.

Todd
 
swearint said:
In that case, give this a try:

[Feeder]
Fallback OFF
OSC 000/10/10 Then ON
If Time 16:01 to 16:00 Then OFF

That should give you 3 cycles each of (ON 10 sec, OFF 10 sec). Of course, you can change the time window to whenever you want, I chose 4:00 pm just for the example.

Todd
Click to expand...

Correct me if i am wrong but If Time 16:01 to 16:00 then OFF, the power will never on for the Feeder

Because the way i understand it is that 16:00:01-16:00:59, it still return true for that statement. the same thing true for if i put If Time 16:00 to 16:1
Then ON. The power will be on for 2 minutes not 1 minute because i think the program only compare the number, not the second.
 
I have the same feeder - at least mine does the exact same thing as far as the small rotations...

this is what I use and it works like a charm...
If Time > 10:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 10:10 Then FED OFF
If Time > 10:30 Then FED ON
If Time > 10:40 Then FED OFF
If Time > 13:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 13:10 Then FED OFF
If Time > 13:30 Then FED ON
If Time > 13:40 Then FED OFF
If Time > 16:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 16:10 Then FED OFF
If Time > 16:30 Then FED ON
If Time > 16:40 Then FED OFF
If Time > 19:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 19:10 Then FED OFF
If Time > 19:30 Then FED ON
If Time > 19:40 Then FED OFF
If Time > 21:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 21:10 Then FED OFF
If Time > 21:30 Then FED ON
If Time > 21:40 Then FED OFF
 
vnwind said:
Correct me if i am wrong but If Time 16:01 to 16:00 then OFF, the power will never on for the Feeder

Because the way i understand it is that 16:00:01-16:00:59, it still return true for that statement. the same thing true for if i put If Time 16:00 to 16:1
Then ON. The power will be on for 2 minutes not 1 minute because i think the program only compare the number, not the second.
Click to expand...

Yes, it would create a two minute interval. The error is in the OSC statement. As I originally wrote it, the durations are in minutes rather than the intended seconds. It should read:

[Feeder]
Fallback OFF
OSC 000/00:10/00:10 Then ON
If Time 16:01 to 16:00 Then OFF

Although, you would probably need to adjust the ON/OFF duration such that you don't get excess cycles in that two minute window.

Todd
 
Is there a way to program this to use the oscillate command but for the feeder to come on at the following times?

7:30
12:30
15:30
18:30 <-have this only come on every other day?
 
swearint said:
Yes, it would create a two minute interval. The error is in the OSC statement. As I originally wrote it, the durations are in minutes rather than the intended seconds. It should read:

[Feeder]
Fallback OFF
OSC 000/00:10/00:10 Then ON
If Time 16:01 to 16:00 Then OFF

Although, you would probably need to adjust the ON/OFF duration such that you don't get excess cycles in that two minute window.

Todd
Click to expand...
I think you have to do If Time 16:02 to 16:00 Then OFF to have one minute on.If Time 16:01 to 16:00 Then OFF will never turn on the outlet
 
sfboarders said:
Is there a way to program this to use the oscillate command but for the feeder to come on at the following times?

7:30
12:30
15:30
18:30 <-have this only come on every other day?
Click to expand...

If Time 7:32 to 12:30 then OFF
If time 12:32 to 15:30 then OFF
If time 15:30 to 7:30 then OFF
IF Outlet TimeFeed = ON then ON

[TimeFeed]
Set OFF
if M_W_F then ON
If time 18:32 to 18:00 then OFF


Something likes that, please check for syntax tho
 
vnwind said:
If Time 7:32 to 12:30 then OFF
If time 12:32 to 15:30 then OFF
If time 15:30 to 7:30 then OFF
IF Outlet TimeFeed = ON then ON

[TimeFeed]
Set OFF
if M_W_F then ON
If time 18:32 to 18:00 then OFF


Something likes that, please check for syntax tho
Click to expand...

Thanks! Would this be correct? I changed some times and put the OSC command in.

Fallback OFF
OSC 000/00:10/00:10 Then ON
If Time 7:32 to 12:30 then OFF
If time 12:32 to 15:30 then OFF
If time 15:32 to 7:30 then OFF
IF Outlet TimeFeed = ON then ON

[TimeFeed]
Set OFF
if M_W_F then ON
If time 18:32 to 18:30 then OFF
 
Does this look right? I tried the code but it seems like the oscillate code is not working. It just turns on once and does 1 partial rotation then shuts off. It does not do the 2nd and the third to complete the drum rotation.


Fallback OFF
OSC 000:00/000:10/000:10 Then ON
If Time 07:32 to 12:30 Then OFF
If Time 12:32 to 15:30 Then OFF
If Time 15:32 to 07:30 Then OFF
If Outlet DOWFeed = ON Then ON

[DOWFeed]
Set OFF
If DoW S-T-T-S Then ON
If Time 18:42 to 18:40 Then OFF
 
In the end this was all just too much work for me so I opened up my autofeeder and I am adding a relay across the contacts of the momentary switch that does the manual feed. Then, I will just hook a wall wart to this and plug it into an outlet on my EB8.
 
thefu said:
In the end this was all just too much work for me so I opened up my autofeeder and I am adding a relay across the contacts of the momentary switch that does the manual feed. Then, I will just hook a wall wart to this and plug it into an outlet on my EB8.
Click to expand...

Hoping to get it to work with the OSC command. If all else fails I'll use the code where you have to turn it off and on. Maybe even just use the Rena timer but it's nice to know what time the feeder comes on.

Code: 
If Time 20:27 to 20:28 Then ON 
If Time 20:29 to 20:30 Then OFF 
If Time 20:31 to 20:32 Then ON 
If Time 20:33 to 20:34 Then OFF 
If Time 20:35 to 20:36 Then ON

Kinda sucks though cause it takes all that time just to do 1 rotation of the drum.
 
Last edited:
Here's my updated code. It seems to be working now. I used the OSC to come ON 2 times instead.

2 minute interval does 1 revolution. 3 minute interval does 2 revolutions.

Code: 
Fallback OFF 
Set OFF 
OSC 000:04/000:10/000:10 Then OFF 
If Time 07:31 to 12:29 Then OFF 
If Time 12:32 to 15:29 Then OFF 
If Time 15:32 to 07:29 Then OFF 
If Outlet DOWFeed = ON Then ON
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Radion time help. (Long post)
Replies
2
Views
136
kj swans
K
G
Back after 20 years - cycling advice
Replies
4
Views
153
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
A
Question for the Neptune Apex Gurus
Replies
8
Views
2K
apache73
A
scubadan206
oceans motions question...
Replies
7
Views
729
scubadan206
scubadan206
J. Montgomery
Any Experience with ReefB KoralDose 4H?
Replies
1
Views
599
griss
griss
Back
Top