Feeding timer / Anti cycle timer

[DonW]

Here is the diagram for a little gizmo I'm just playing with even though I dont need it. May help someone out.

Its a low level anti cycling device if you want to shut off your retun pump if the level gets to low. The problem with most ato low level shut off's is they will hammer your return pump not save it. They shut down the pump then the tank drains back and they turn back on this goes back an fourth every few seconds trashing the return pump.
Its a ato timer if you want it to be.
Its a feeding timer if you need one.
Its a two channel wave maker if desired.

There are many uses if someone needs a timed gizmo. I'll put it together as a low level cut off and a feeding timer and take pics as I go.

Don

 

[LakeEd]

Don,

I take it, you are designing this to shut off, then NOT turn back on again... until its reset... and that is how it would protect your return pump? Or, will it shut down for a set amount of time, then turn on again?

If the 2nd case is the way it will work... wouldn't that still cause your return pump to cycle???

Taggin along.

 

[DonW]

Don,

I take it, you are designing this to shut off, then NOT turn back on again... until its reset... and that is how it would protect your return pump? Or, will it shut down for a set amount of time, then turn on again?

If the 2nd case is the way it will work... wouldn't that still cause your return pump to cycle???

Taggin along.

Ed its both. It will cycle off for 1 to 60 minutes. This will allow the heater or chiller to exchange water from the sump to buy you some time since long interval cycles wont hurt the pump. If it gets to low to cycle then of course it justs stays off.

Don

 

[LakeEd]

Okay... thanks Don. Just making sure I'm following the intent, so hopefully the rest will make since for me.

 

[DonW]

Here is the feeding timer. This is a very simple and inexpensive project.

Elk960 timer board. These are $20 and adjustable from 1-60 seconds or 1-60 minutes.

 

[DonW]

Prep a cord or even your return pumps power cord.

 

[DonW]

Connect the cord

 

[DonW]

Now you need a switch to activate the timer. This can be any momentary contact switch. Or you can use a float switch and call it a low level cut off and a feeding timer all in one. Just bump the float to activate the timer.
Connect the switch

 

[DonW]

Now just give it 12vdc. This can be any transformer, the board only draws 40ma.

 

[DonW]

Stuff it in a $5 radio shack plastic box and its done. Will work with any pump.
I'll do that this week-end.

Don

 

[matts125]

Don this timer would work great for a DIY wave box, it could run on 2 seconds and off 2 seconds (example) Right?


Matt

 

[DonW]

Don this timer would work great for a DIY wave box, it could run on 2 seconds and off 2 seconds (example) Right?


Matt

Sorry I missed this. But yes you can use it for that.

Don

 

[matts125]

Sweet I may experiment on a wave box!!

 

[Hopeful Reefer]

Couldn't you also do this with an electrical outlet and a radio shack project box? Basically, have a normal house outlet...plug the plug in to the top outlet...splice a power cord coming in to project box/circuit board...in to the board and back out again...the wire coming back out could go to the electrical outlet...you can then plug 2 pumps or whatever in to the outlet and it would do the same thing right? It will cycle the outlet and then you wouldn't have to mess up the power cord to your pumps...this would give the same effect right?

 

[DonW]

Couldn't you also do this with an electrical outlet and a radio shack project box? Basically, have a normal house outlet...plug the plug in to the top outlet...splice a power cord coming in to project box/circuit board...in to the board and back out again...the wire coming back out could go to the electrical outlet...you can then plug 2 pumps or whatever in to the outlet and it would do the same thing right? It will cycle the outlet and then you wouldn't have to mess up the power cord to your pumps...this would give the same effect right?

Not really getting what you want to do. As long as your cutting the black lead and dont go over about 5a, should work fine.

Don

 

[Hopeful Reefer]

Basically...take, for example, and old computer power wire and cut the computer connection off the end...wire the black to the board as seen and then to the black contact on an outlet...take the white wire from the power cord and go straight to the outlet...the board should then turn the outlet on/off at the set rate...put it in a project box from a hardware store to make it look pretty...this way, you can keep from having to cut the power cord for your pump...rather you can simply plug the pump in to the outlet and get the same results...

 

[DonW]

Basically...take, for example, and old computer power wire and cut the computer connection off the end...wire the black to the board as seen and then to the black contact on an outlet...take the white wire from the power cord and go straight to the outlet...the board should then turn the outlet on/off at the set rate...put it in a project box from a hardware store to make it look pretty...this way, you can keep from having to cut the power cord for your pump...rather you can simply plug the pump in to the outlet and get the same results...

I'm not that motivated, also it would be bulky. Id just splice into a short extension cord and stuff the board and transforer into a plastic box.

Don