Help! plans for feeding time filter swicther offer and on again thingy!!!!!!

A while back, and in fact a few time I believe there has been mention of
someone who has built a device for switching off the filters for 5 (or a
configurable amount of) minutes and then turning them back on again.

The number of times I forget to switch back on my powerhead. While it is
not running a major filter I do sometimes switch off the main filter as
well.

If I remember correctly it was that man Netmax who has the plans or at
least a link to them.

Thanks

Trev

"Trevor" wrote in message
news
A while back, and in fact a few time I believe there has been mention
of
someone who has built a device for switching off the filters for 5 (or
a
configurable amount of) minutes and then turning them back on again.

The number of times I forget to switch back on my powerhead. While it
is
not running a major filter I do sometimes switch off the main filter as
well.

If I remember correctly it was that man Netmax who has the plans or at
least a link to them.

Thanks

Trev

Hey Trev, guilty as charged. Could I suggest that you use a separate
power bar for your heater & filters. You could even include the lights
if it would help you remember to turn it back on.

I built my own delay-off timer, and I'd be glad to share the directions
and schematic, but it's not your average DIY job. I used 3 electrical
junction boxes, #1 had a GFI outlet for the equipment, #2 had a standard
delay-on timer and #3 had a 120Vac DPDT relay which I wired into the
delay-on timer.

The trouble is that these timers are supposed to turn something ON for
the time set on the dial. We need the reverse, for it to turn something
OFF for the time set on the dial. Unfortunately, the timers use a DPST
relay, so there was no tap to wire into to get the opposite function, so
I had to use an external relay (in box #3) which reversed the timer's
operation, and powered the GFI outlet.

There might be a timer available on the market which already does what we
need, but I was unable to find one at the time. Another way would be to
disassemble the timer and swap the DPST for a DPDT and rewire it, but
it's probably soldered down and more trouble than it's worth unless you
are proficient at these things. If I think of another way, I'll post it.

NetMax

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .

"Trevor" wrote in message
news
A while back, and in fact a few time I believe there has been mention
of
someone who has built a device for switching off the filters for 5 (or
a
configurable amount of) minutes and then turning them back on again.

The number of times I forget to switch back on my powerhead. While it
is
not running a major filter I do sometimes switch off the main filter as
well.

If I remember correctly it was that man Netmax who has the plans or at
least a link to them.

Thanks

Trev

Hey Trev, guilty as charged. Could I suggest that you use a separate
power bar for your heater & filters. You could even include the lights
if it would help you remember to turn it back on.

I built my own delay-off timer, and I'd be glad to share the directions
and schematic, but it's not your average DIY job. I used 3 electrical
junction boxes, #1 had a GFI outlet for the equipment, #2 had a standard
delay-on timer and #3 had a 120Vac DPDT relay which I wired into the
delay-on timer.

The trouble is that these timers are supposed to turn something ON for
the time set on the dial. We need the reverse, for it to turn something
OFF for the time set on the dial. Unfortunately, the timers use a DPST
relay, so there was no tap to wire into to get the opposite function, so
I had to use an external relay (in box #3) which reversed the timer's
operation, and powered the GFI outlet.

There might be a timer available on the market which already does what we
need, but I was unable to find one at the time. Another way would be to
disassemble the timer and swap the DPST for a DPDT and rewire it, but
it's probably soldered down and more trouble than it's worth unless you
are proficient at these things. If I think of another way, I'll post it.

NetMax


I can build you one if you cant find it. very simple to make.. Let me
know.

On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 16:58:52 -0400, NetMax wrote:



I built my own delay-off timer, and I'd be glad to share the directions
and schematic, but it's not your average DIY job. I used 3 electrical
junction boxes, #1 had a GFI outlet for the equipment, #2 had a standard
delay-on timer and #3 had a 120Vac DPDT relay which I wired into the
delay-on timer.


Thanks Netmax I would appreciate it if you could do that. I would not be
attempting to build it myself - I have some friends are are electric
whizzes. Either post here if you feel its appropriate or I will email you
off list as I do not include my real email in my posts for obvious reasons.

Thanks also to Jtechs offer to build me one but I fear it would not work
as I am in South Africa and we have 220 or 240 volts and then there is
still shipping.

Trev

"Trevor" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 16:58:52 -0400, NetMax wrote:



I built my own delay-off timer, and I'd be glad to share the
directions
and schematic, but it's not your average DIY job. I used 3
electrical
junction boxes, #1 had a GFI outlet for the equipment, #2 had a
standard
delay-on timer and #3 had a 120Vac DPDT relay which I wired into the
delay-on timer.


Thanks Netmax I would appreciate it if you could do that. I would not
be
attempting to build it myself - I have some friends are are electric
whizzes. Either post here if you feel its appropriate or I will email
you
off list as I do not include my real email in my posts for obvious
reasons.

Thanks also to Jtechs offer to build me one but I fear it would not
work
as I am in South Africa and we have 220 or 240 volts and then there is
still shipping.

Trev

No problemo. hmmm, 230Vac eh? I think (but you should check with your
whiz friends to make sure) that your 3 wire circuits are 230Vac hot, a
neutral and a chassis ground (if a third wire is used), going by the 15A
BS-5733 standard. North America's 220Vac is different and wouldn't work.
Is this what you use?
http://www.interpower.com/scripts/ws...a/South+Africa
I thought S.Africa also used a Euro standard in some regions. My
directions won't be specific to pin number.

I'll do a quick text description now, off a schematic I just drew on a
napkin ;~). If you need it graphical, email me with 'NetMax' in the
subject line, and I'll draw something for you, or I can always post to
alt.binarie.aquaria.

Parts needed:
1) Dial timer (receptacle or plug-in), rated for 230Vac and the
accessory's current load.
2) Power bar (where you will be plugging your filters and heaters).
3) A relay, must have a 230Vac rated coil (typically 250V or more), and
be DPDT (double pole double throw). An SPDT would work as well, but is
not as good as it only interrupts one side (and you better hope you
interrupted the 'hot' side and not the 'neutral' side ;~). Relay must be
rated for the current you are switching. Ideally it has the same rating
as your house circuit (15A?).
4) Receptacle driving this contraption should be GFI (GFCI) as is normal
for all aquarium accessories.
5) Receptacle which you will be plugging your power bar into. If the
receptacle driving the contraption is not GFI, then make sure this one is
GFI, and properly grounded.
6) Electrical box(es) to enclose #1 (if receptacle model), #3 and its
wiring, and #5).

Convention
Plug has metal pins. Socket or receptacle accepts plug. Hot is 230Vac
live. Neutral, neut or rtn is an AC return. Gnd is ground, safety
ground or chassis ground.

Connections
1) Dial timer
a -plug hot
b -plug neut
c -gnd in
d -socket hot
e -socket neut
f -gnd out

2) Power bar
standard 3 pin plug

3) DPDT Relay
a -coil +
b -coil rtn
c -line 1 comm
d -line 1 NO
e -line 1 NC
f -line 2 comm
g -line 2 NO
h -line 2 NC

4) Standard receptacle (house)
a -socket hot
b -socket neu
c -socket gnd

5) Receptacle for power bar
a -plug hot
b -plug neu
c -plug gnd

Still with me? ;~) With text descriptions, all the work is behind us
now.

Connect as follows:

Timer IN
4a-1a
4b-1b
4c-1c

Timer OUT
1d-3a
1e-3b
1f-5c

Relay IN
4a-3c
4b-3f

Relay OUT
3e-5a
3h-5b

If your relay has a chassis/safety gnd connection (they usually don't),
then it gets star'ed with the electrical boxes to 4c. For a quick
graphical view, print this page and connect the dots.

That should work, your power bar will always be on, except when you turn
the timer, for that set time....unless that was a coffee stain on my
napkin ;~)

You know the usual disclaimers. I take no responsibility bla bla etc
etc. It's not rocket science, but electrical wiring does have to be done
to code.
NetMax

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 17:57:16 -0400, NetMax wrote:




No problemo. hmmm, 230Vac eh? I think (but you should check with your
whiz friends to make sure) that your 3 wire circuits are 230Vac hot, a
neutral and a chassis ground (if a third wire is used), going by the 15A
BS-5733 standard. North America's 220Vac is different and wouldn't work.
Is this what you use?
http://www.interpower.com/scripts/ws...a/South+Africa
I thought S.Africa also used a Euro standard in some regions. My
directions won't be specific to pin number.


Thanks Netmax

Yup that is what we use and I have checked some of my appliances and they
all say 230VAC at 50Hz

The standardard for wiring in SA is that all the plug recepacles are wired
for earth leakage which is the same as the ground fault I presume. I have
nevee seen a GFCI recepatcle but I guess if I could find one having that
extra protection cannot hurt.

I will send your plans to my friend ans see if he can make sense of them

Thanks

I might only get back to you in a while as my friend is quite busy.

Trev

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .
Hey Trev, guilty as charged. Could I suggest that you use a separate
power bar for your heater & filters. You could even include the lights
if it would help you remember to turn it back on.

I built my own delay-off timer, and I'd be glad to share the directions
and schematic, but it's not your average DIY job. I used 3 electrical
junction boxes, #1 had a GFI outlet for the equipment, #2 had a standard
delay-on timer and #3 had a 120Vac DPDT relay which I wired into the
delay-on timer.

I also built a similar device. I call it the feed'o'matic :-) I press the
feed button and the attached devices turn off for around 10 mins
(configurable).

My device is based around a 555 timer IC and a relay. Definitely not DIY
material unless you have an electoronics background.

I can provide a schematic and Veroboard layout if you're really interested.


Graham.

On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 17:18:42 +1000, Graham Broadbridge wrote:



My device is based around a 555 timer IC and a relay. Definitely not DIY
material unless you have an electoronics background.

I can provide a schematic and Veroboard layout if you're really
interested.



Hi Graham

Please provide the details - I will not be doing any of the construction
my electrical engineer friend will be!!

I have netmax's basic plans but the more the merrier!

Thanks

Trev

"Trevor" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 17:18:42 +1000, Graham Broadbridge wrote:
My device is based around a 555 timer IC and a relay. Definitely not
DIY
material unless you have an electoronics background.

I can provide a schematic and Veroboard layout if you're really
interested.

Hi Graham

Please provide the details - I will not be doing any of the construction
my electrical engineer friend will be!!

I have netmax's basic plans but the more the merrier!

Thanks

Trev

Email me your email address and I'll scan the schematic and send it to you.
It's hand drawn but you shouldn't have any problem reading it. Email me at
graham at peachy dot org.


Graham.

On Thu, 22 Apr 2004 11:55:33 +1000, "Graham Broadbridge"
bubbled forth the following:

"Trevor" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 17:18:42 +1000, Graham Broadbridge wrote:
My device is based around a 555 timer IC and a relay. Definitely not
DIY
material unless you have an electoronics background.

I can provide a schematic and Veroboard layout if you're really
interested.

Hi Graham

Please provide the details - I will not be doing any of the construction
my electrical engineer friend will be!!

I have netmax's basic plans but the more the merrier!

Thanks

Trev

Email me your email address and I'll scan the schematic and send it to you.
It's hand drawn but you shouldn't have any problem reading it. Email me at
graham at peachy dot org.


Graham.

Hi Graham,

How about posting the scan in alt.binaries.aquaria? Then anyone who
want's it can download it without flooding your email box.

Thanks!