return pump temporary off switch

[Rekonn]

I'd like to be able to press a button, and have my return pump turn off for about 10 minutes, then automatically turn itself back on. I like to feed the tank with less flow, but I'm afraid I'll forget to turn the pump back on one of these times. Anyone have a link they could share to someone that's done this?

 

[Vincerama2]

Well In theory you could use a timer, but then you'd have a 10 mintute off time every day.

V

 

[Vincerama2]

Actually, no that I think about it, it would work. All you have to do is use a timer that has those pull in/pull out tabs and have them ALL set to "ON" then when you want to turn off the pump, you just turn the manual setting to OFF. The next time one of the tabs is hit (ie, every 15 minutes) it will turn the power back on. If you don't set any of the tabs to "off", then at every interval, the timer will set itself to on (or do nothing if it's already on).

Does that make sense?

V

 

[Rekonn]

That's a great idea! Heh, didn't think it would be so simple, I thought I'd have to build something from parts at Radio Shack. I'd be comfortable without my return pump being off for an hour, since I got 2 Seio's for water movement too. That way I'd only need 24 "On" tabs. Time to bug local people for extras

 

[JonTarutis]

How about one of the countdown timers typically used on saunas? In theory you should have to wire it so that it is a normally open circuit instead of NC. I'd considered doing it myself but never pursued the project further...

 

[Vincerama2]

Well, the timer would cost less than $10 and is pretty much ready to go ...

V

 

[Barto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7866126#post7866126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonTarutis
How about one of the countdown timers typically used on saunas? In theory you should have to wire it so that it is a normally open circuit instead of NC. I'd considered doing it myself but never pursued the project further...

I'm positive that I saw exactly that configuration done in the DIY here, it looked simple & effective. 2 admirable qualities in a DIY
I won't try the search, maybe someone else can/will
Within the last 2-3 months

 

[MJAnderson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7865941#post7865941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rekonn
That's a great idea! Heh, didn't think it would be so simple, I thought I'd have to build something from parts at Radio Shack. I'd be comfortable without my return pump being off for an hour, since I got 2 Seio's for water movement too. That way I'd only need 24 "On" tabs. Time to bug local people for extras

Problem is that they are set for a time, not a duration. If you have it set to go on every hour and you hit the manual switch at 1 minute till, it would kick on while feeding.

 

[GROSSR]

Here is the easiest idea - very similar to Vincerama2. You need to use only 1 on tab. Take the timer and put in 1 on tab. When you want to turn off the pump spin the On/Off wheel to Off and spin the time wheel to when you feel resistance. The pump or (skimmer - in my case) turns off and turns on when it hits the 1 and only ON pin.

rich

 

[Pbrown3701]

Also, they make relays that have timers in them. We used to use them on remote start systems for Diesel motors when I used to work as a car stereo and alarm installer in college. You can hook up a simple push button and then set the duration. I think they cost like 50 bucks or so though.

 

[prugs]

The Intermatic digital timers have a small button to turn & off your electrical load when ever you wish. But since you really don't need a timer. Just get a small power strip with a on/off switch.

 

[Psychographic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7874651#post7874651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prugs
The Intermatic digital timers have a small button to turn & off your electrical load when ever you wish. But since you really don't need a timer. Just get a small power strip with a on/off switch.

I think the idea is to not forget to turn the pumps back on. I shut my pump of once to feed my fish and got sidetracked, the pump was off for about 24 hours and lost all but 2 of my fish. In hindsight, if I spent $100 on a switch I would be ahead of the game.

 

[Barto]

http://www.reefcentral.com/search.php?s=&menu=11

I tried searching rc with google, I didn't have any luck, I can't remember the thread name or starter.
Anyone else give it a try? or want to?
Sry I couldn't dig it up, but I know it's in here someplace

 

[bergzy]

i think this might be waht everyone is talking about...

it is a regular 24hr timer with nothing but on switches at 2 hour intervals. it actually turns my skimmers off when i am feeding phyto etc to my reef.

i like two hours as it gives more than enough time (my guess only) for the corals to filter out all the goodies out of the water before the skimmers can get to them.

all i do is turn the dial to get the off/on switch close to a green pin and turn the dial to off. two hours later, it comes back on. you might get more fine minute control is a 12 hour time rather than a 24 hour timer. the pins are easily ordered from intermatic.com and is really cheap...20 on AND off switches for $2 or so.

in reality...when i think about it...all you really need is two on switches set to whtever interval you want...just spin the dial past the first on switch, turn the dial off and in whatever time you set...it will turn on automatically with the second on switch...mine is tim taylor overkill...as usual!

 

[Driftwood]

I have heard several different people talk about feed timers, but have never seen the plans. I think one of the podcasts even talked about them. I can never find any DIY plans for this though.

 

[itstheantitang]

Melev sells a feed timer on one of his pages.

 

[Avast Marine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7866126#post7866126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonTarutis
How about one of the countdown timers typically used on saunas? In theory you should have to wire it so that it is a normally open circuit instead of NC. I'd considered doing it myself but never pursued the project further...

Sounds like a great idea! :smokin:

 

[Barto]

Thanks Dandy, I knew it was here somewhere, I just didn't remember that it was your work.
Any problems, or anything you'd do differently after having it up & running a while?

 

[JonTarutis]

Dandy-
Thanks for taking the R&D work out of the project for me. Looks like I have no reason not to move further with this!
Thanks!!
Jon

 

[Avast Marine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7881162#post7881162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigSkyBart
Thanks Dandy, I knew it was here somewhere, I just didn't remember that it was your work.
Any problems, or anything you'd do differently after having it up & running a while?

It's been up and running for exactly 4 hours!
I read this thread last night and went to Lowes today. Took about an hour. I have a aquacontroller on my Reef but, for the FOWLR there is no need, so this was a easy fix.