Timer Terminology

Hello All,

I have been reading this newsgroup for some time, mostly for my own edification and mild amusement/wonderment. Thanks to all for their on topic comments of the past few years.

I now have a project that I am sure somebody in here can lend some insight. I am looking for a timer board and it would be helpful if I had the correct terminology so it would make my search easier.

The timer needs the following criteria.

Upon power up (9-12vdc) it would start to time out for an adjustable about of seconds say 1-600. At the end of the cycle it would energize the relay for a period of 1-2 seconds (maybe adjustable) and then reset and start a new cycle and do this continuously until power is removed.

An alternative timer would be one that could some how be random in its timing duration but would only energize the relay for a 1-2 seconds and then choose another random time for cycle. A pot adjustment would allow for a maximum random number. This I think will be much harder to find in a commercially made item, maybe possible in a custom made board of some sort.

My main quest is for the proper terminology but if anyone know of a particular mfg. model they would like to share that would be great.

I hope all of that make sense to some degree.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Les

Reply to
ABLE1
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That sounds like a job for a microcontroller like the Arduino Uno, especially for the random duration part.

Michael

Reply to
mrdarrett

google on 555 timer. Just what you need for just a few cents.

Reply to
sdeyoreo

Not looking to build my own board.

Reply to
ABLE1

Then go for the arduino. Can be had on ebay for ~$7. Use an opto-relay from the Arduino output to energize the relay, I use the LCA710. Depending on the need, you might not need the relay, just the LCA710, it's a 1 amp SPDT MOS solid state relay.

Reply to
sdeyoreo

That looks very interesting if I was 30 to 40 years younger and really had the time to investigate and learn something new. However,that is not to be at this point in my life.

My quest stands as typed.

Thanks,

Les

Reply to
ABLE1

** Really ?

What the hell is this for ?

Cos it better be *VERY* important - so you are happy to pay a professional to build one for you.

This NG is a compleety wrong place for that.

.... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

Then good luck!

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Rick C
Reply to
rickman

A single 8 pin (~$2) Picaxe controller can do that and is programmed in Basic. There's a great forum for it and they will give you all the help you need. Need more I/O and they have versions with 14,18, 40 pins.

I've got them working cameras, regulating the elements on my electric range, working the computer fan, monitoring temperatures in four areas, working beacon strobes, replacing the shot controller on a window AC, and the overdrive on my truck's transmission. and I ain't no kind of programming wizard...

Reply to
default

sounds like you aren't willing to put out any effort

I grew up with vacuum toobes and still enjoy learning and tinkering.

I bet some Rube Goldberg contraption with synchronous motors, cam operated switches, and other doo-dads could do what you want too.

Reply to
default

google darkroom timer, exposure timer all is there except for the random.

Smartphone apps:

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What you want is probably this

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Or do you want to water your garden?

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w.

Reply to
Helmut Wabnig

ABLE1 wrote in news:aclYA.13783$ snipped-for-privacy@fx26.iad:

You're on the wrong way. Timers like the ones you mentioned are not described by their behaviour but by their usage. "Kitchen timer" or "cooking timer" for example. So if you name it that way, you may find something usefull. Try "programmable timer" for instance. FAIK the timers you want, are not off the shelf items. So you may have to do some work or have to pay someone else to do it for you. If you choose for the last option you will have to provide more details. Available power and load are among them.

petrus bitbyter

Reply to
petrus bitbyter

petrus bitbyter wrote on 6/3/2017 7:11 AM:

I don't think he is going to find a ready built solution because of the need for a random delay. I've never seen a device that would supply this and I've never heard of a need for a random delay timer. I think if he is not willing to do any work in building one, he won't find it.

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Rick C
Reply to
rickman

If it's the only electronics in your system, and you want it to mount conveniently, a PLC is a slam-dunk. Otherwise, the Arduino suggestion is probably spot-on.

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www.wescottdesign.com
Reply to
Tim Wescott

I'm 65+ and I still learn something new every day.

Reply to
sdeyoreo

I would first like to thank all that have contributed to this thread.

As most have missed (or maybe not) I was looking for proper terminology for timer features. Hence the Subject Line.

I did not go into great detail since most would not have read the massive amount of words, sentences, paragraphs and would have only gleaned out what they wanted by scanning the novel.

As for the "random timer" thought it was just a whim, that I should have not been included since for my application it could be achieved with 2 or 3 timers triggering the same input at different times which will work just fine. So please disregard that point.

I am really not looking for someone to custom build a timer for me. I was hoping to get the right terminology so I am not searching for the wrong thing. I would really like a off the shelf unit that would do what I want. The term "flip-flop" or "on delay" or "off delay", will not meet the desire of starting a delay but when triggered will only energize for 1-2 seconds and then start again.

That is the terminology I was and still am looking for. Programmable is only part of the answer.

I am 70+ and yes, I learn something every day as well. But to spend the time required to learn how to setup and program a magic device for just one project is a little more than I think necessary with all the other stuff I already have on my plate. But I digress.................

I am guessing maybe a 9-12vdc input programmable dual rate delay timer with built in relay type thingie that will work between 1 and 600 seconds as a minimum. I was hoping there was some terms that could be used and maybe what I have learned here is that "programmable timer" is as good as it is going to get.

Oh, and what I am going to do with this timer thingie should be of little importance. But, suffice it to say that it is an attempt to convince a bunch of canines to make peace with the world and shut up.

Again, thanks for the input.

Have a good rest of the weekend.

Les

Reply to
ABLE1

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At a junkyard, you could cannibalize an old oven or microvave oven for its timer. (unless you're infirm and use a walker or are in a wheelchair, then you cou ld order one of those 120v15a plus 9r minus outdoor security lights with th e alternating feature capability. Ask around at Lowe's, Home Depot, HF, et c... Or one of those '24 hour lighting timers')

Reply to
bruce2bowser

On Ebay: "Digital LED Display Infinite Cycle Loop Delay Timer Switch ON/OFF Relay Module"

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$4.98 with free shipping. Does what you described in your first criteria paragraph; does not do random.

Scroll down on the ebay page for the instructions. (They can be a bit confusing.) Here's a head start. First, power the module on. The use the buttons to set the following values in each step:

Step 2: Function P4 Step 3: T1 Time Unit -2 Step 4: T1 Time 03 (3 minutes) Step 5: T2 Time Unit -1 Step 6: T2 Time 02 (2 seconds) Step 7: Cycle Times 0 (infinite loop)

For the Time Units in steps 3 and 5, I don't remember if the minus sign was displayed or not.

Ed

Reply to
ehsjr

Thanks Ed,

Did you notice that it is Free Shipping at that price for Hong Kong??

I found that to after some searching. However, I decided on a USA supplier with a slightly different unit with Free Shipping for a couple of $'s additional. But that is OK with me.

Will be delivered by Friday and already programmed for my task.

Thanks again!!!

Les

Reply to
ABLE1

we're designers and tinkerers here, not your personal shopper. I think most here wouldn't buy that sort of thing pre-made.

off the shelf, some sort of PLC I guess, if ypu want easy to program lego mindstorms perhaps...

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Reply to
Jasen Betts

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