Power switch on-off Timer?

[dbabicwa]

Hi guys,

back to projects! And I desperately need a timer switch which proves impossible to find in AU!

Ok, I got a domestic one but it allows me to set the TIME like On: 23:00 and Off 23:02 (pm), and need to set the day, Mon, Tue, which is a nightmare.

How about one to set the interval: Power On every 5 mins (or 10 or 30 or...), and Power Off after 1 min (or 2, or...)

Please advise! It is for running a vac.

Thanks

D.

[MontuckyMadman]

So you want a timer that oscelates on off at a desired interval?
how bout a programable pid?

[MontuckyMadman]

So you want a timer that oscelates on off at a desired interval?
how bout a programable pid?

[dbabicwa]

Thanks MM

not a bad idea, I think a bit overkill tho..

Does this exist as a domestic timer or something?

[skimann20]

I use something at work that does exactly what you are asking. I'll get you the model number.

[dbabicwa]

Cheers for that

D.

[twizzstyle]

What is this for? A heat blanket in your press?

You can get cheap chinese-made PID controllers on ebay for just about nothing. I think I paid like $30 USD for mine. Hook it up to a thermocouple and a solid-state relay, and it controls your blanket to the exact temperature you want.

Timing it, you'll have to fiddle with the duty cycle until you get the temperature you want - which is exactly what the PID is doing.

[sammer]

What is this for? A heat blanket in your press?

He said he wants it for his vac pump.

I would just leave your vacuum pump running, most are designed for continuous duty.
Shouldn't hurt it.

Or just build one of these...
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/EVS/concept.htm

sam

[twizzstyle]

Wow I can't read Yeah vacuum pumps are designed to run continuously.

[falls]

Programmable lawn sprinkler timer might work?

[dbabicwa]

Wow I can't read Yeah vacuum pumps are designed to run continuously.

Yes, this is true.

The only thing is 40C summer scorching heat:)

Which means a pump is much much more if left to run:( Do not want to burn my "shed" down.

Might look at the lawn thingy, thx Falls.

[dbabicwa]

Ok,

did look for a lawn thingy, and man, they are expensive:( The better ones that is.

Any other solution out there?

[amidnightproject]

If you are ok with some programming and a little DIY.

https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/119

and then a cheap dev board like this Arduino UNO

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11224

This will give you infinite control over the time functions. As long/as little and as often as you would like it to cycle. Just open the file, change the time variables and re compile. Sounds like a lot but it isn't. If you want to get fancy you could easily interface it to a computer or a phone for more control options.

Might be overkill, but it will do any sequence you want it to without having to conform to a manufactured device time sequence.

[amidnightproject]

http://ccollins.wordpress.com/2013/12/1 ... h-arduino/

You could also drop an atmospheric pressure sensor inside your vacuum bag and tell it to turn the compressor on when the pressure drops below a specific value.

You can get pretty nerdy with it

[dbabicwa]

Cheers for that!

I would need a power supply = more things to move around etc. Hate to over complicate things, when one even mechanical device can do. But which one? That is a question.

See this little Belkin device: http://www.ilcnsw.asn.au/items/9882

No on/off intervals tho.