ON/OFF TIMER

[EASTERN INDIGO]

I recently crashed a tank by turning off the flow for a feeding and forgetting to put it back on. This was my only tank with a pump that did not have automatic pause and restart. About 50 years ago I had a device that had a wind up dial on the front. It had a plug that I plugged in the wall socket. It also had a place for me to plug a light or appliance into. When the dial was NOT turned to any number (from 1 to 60) the electrical flow was constant. Then if I wanted to turn off the current WITHOUT FORGETTING TO TURN IT BACK ON OR PLUG IT BACK IN all I had to do was turn the dial to the desired no-current amount of time. Then walk away. I could just forget about it and depend that the manual dial would count down and re-open the current. Had I had this device the tank would not have crashed. I didn't discover my mistake until the entire tank was dead two days later. I have spent LITERALLY years searching for this device. There are many timers out there, but analogue and digital that let you set times on and off, but NONE of them provided a temporary pause-and-walk-away security feature. Now I am looking for someone to teach me how to build one. Any ideas? I do NOT want a device that requires me to enter specific on and off clock times because I feed and do maintenance often and at different times.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

I recently crashed a tank by turning off the flow for a feeding and forgetting to put it back on. This was my only tank with a pump that did not have automatic pause and restart. About 50 years ago I had a device that had a wind up dial on the front. It had a plug that I plugged in the wall socket. It also had a place for me to plug a light or appliance into. When the dial was NOT turned to any number (from 1 to 60) the electrical flow was constant. Then if I wanted to turn off the current WITHOUT FORGETTING TO TURN IT BACK ON OR PLUG IT BACK IN all I had to do was turn the dial to the desired no-current amount of time. Then walk away. I could just forget about it and depend that the manual dial would count down and re-open the current. Had I had this device the tank would not have crashed. I didn't discover my mistake until the entire tank was dead two days later. I have spent LITERALLY years searching for this device. There are many timers out there, but analogue and digital that let you set times on and off, but NONE of them provided a temporary pause-and-walk-away security feature. Now I am looking for someone to teach me how to build one. Any ideas? I do NOT want a device that requires me to enter specific on and off clock times because I feed and do maintenance often and at different times.

sorry for your losses

For my rental condo, I just found on Amazon for like $6 an 'old school' dial/wind 0-60 min timer that I connected to my bathroom fan/light so new tenants (hopefully) more likely to use fan in bathroom to control humidity. However, think you are looking for exact opposite of this: ww.amazon.com/dp/B002DN2PGY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

What works for me is leaving my bottom cabinet door open on the left side where main power is located. Family has learned if they come in fish room and door is open but I'm missing they need to 1) do something (check lighted switches and turn on those that are off) or 2) find me (which counts as do something, but some are more mature/able than others)

EDIT: sometime between above post in 2021 and last few years, because I have been using the Refrigmatic WS-36300 for the past few years. I like that anytime I repower my sump back up after feeding or cleaning, the skimmer is plugged into the Refrigmatic so 3 minutes later anything plugged into it (skimmer) powers on - pack of 2 currently $27:
Amazon product

 

[WVNed]

On delay timer
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ers_-z-_tachometers/timer_relays/ms4sa-ap-adc
100-240V AC
.05sec to 60 hours
TP48x socket
Internal relay rated for 2.5 A @ 120VAC inductive load
When power is applied, the timed N.O. contacts make after the set time has elapsed. When power is removed, the contacts reset
So you mount this and a momentary switch like a button the opens the circuit.
Press the button and you get the delay to on you set.

I cobbled this up in 5 minutes but they are called on delay timers

Short time ones like 10 minutes are used in AC to keep the compressor off in a brown out.
Those are called delay on break timers

Again you interrupt the power and then it counts down until it turns back on.

or
Amazon product

which appears to be the same sort of thing but is cheap enough to buy and fool around with
I think it is a delay on break too.

This is gobbledygook to me
Power on delay, plus timing. With large transparent time setting knob for setting time easily, 8 pin solder terminal for installation. Time Delay Relay used in industrial automation system and mechanical equipment to delay component. Relay is a kind of automatic electric switch, when supply with an input value, like electric, magnetic, light or thermal signal, it wall transfer the controlled circuit automatically and make an abrupt change, when the input value decreased to certain degree, it will resume to former state and make the controlled circuit back to the former stare. Features LED indicator show power and output status.

But what I think it means is delay on break.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

On delay timer
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ers_-z-_tachometers/timer_relays/ms4sa-ap-adc
100-240V AC
.05sec to 60 hours
TP48x socket
Internal relay rated for 2.5 A @ 120VAC inductive load
When power is applied, the timed N.O. contacts make after the set time has elapsed. When power is removed, the contacts reset
So you mount this and a momentary switch like a button the opens the circuit.
Press the button and you get the delay to on you set.

I cobbled this up in 5 minutes but they are called on delay timers

@WVNed you are so awesome to know this and share!

We may look into this too as my 'open door' method seems a little risky given @EASTERN INDIGO experience of tank crash

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

sorry for your losses

For my rental condo, I just found on Amazon for like $6 an 'old school' dial/wind 0-60 min timer that I connected to my bathroom fan/light so new tenants (hopefully) more likely to use fan in bathroom to control humidity. However, think you are looking for exact opposite of this: ww.amazon.com/dp/B002DN2PGY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

What works for me is leaving my bottom cabinet door open on the left side where main power is located. Family has learned if they come in fish room and door is open but I'm missing they need to 1) do something (check lighted switches and turn on those that are off) or 2) find me (which counts as do something, but some are more mature/able than others)

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

You are correct. I am looking for the exact opposite. I live alone and have a very very bad short term memory. Besides the emotional cost, that crash killed almost 3k of eels and a shark. Not fair to the animals. As a matter of fact, I just posted this same post (rewritten) ten minutes ago because I forgot I did it three days ago. Not Alzheimer's; just a lifelong focus disability.

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

@WVNed you are so awesome to know this and share!

We may look into this too as my 'open door' method seems a little risky given @EASTERN INDIGO experience of tank crash

GREAT!! I'm a little confused as to whether it delays turning BACK on delays starting when it hasn't been on in the first place. I'm going to call them manana and get clarification.

 

[snorklr]

let us know what you find...been looking for something to delay the start up of my skimmer when whole house generator kicks in and the sump is overfull from the return pump being off...currently have it on a remote switch that wont come back on till i hit the button on it which is ok till i'm away

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Tork is the one who made these. However I do not know if they are still made. You could set them so they turned On or turned Off at a preset time. Try ZORO Tools. Also you could use an Intermatic SPDT Timer, you would just have to put it in a PVC Electrical Box. ZORO Tools has the best selection on these.

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

Thanks. There are plenty of on/off timers. I do not want to set times. I want the pump to be ON 24/7, and the I want to just walk up to it, turn a dial to 5 min, 20 min, whatever, and walk away knowing that in 5 or 20 or how ever many minutes later it will turn itself back on. In other words, a variable timed interrutor.

 

[WVNed]

Thanks. There are plenty of on/off timers. I do not want to set times. I want the pump to be ON 24/7, and the I want to just walk up to it, turn a dial to 5 min, 20 min, whatever, and walk away knowing that in 5 or 20 or how ever many minutes later it will turn itself back on. In other words, a variable timed interrutor.

As near as I can tell if you want that you will have to make one or have someone make one for you.

The relays I posted are ON delay relays. When powered they count down the value you set and then turn on the output. They stay on until powered off again.
SO if you paired one with a switch and an electrical outlet you would turn the switch off, set the delay you want and then turn the switch on and then you device would start later.
You would have to enclose it in something to make it safe.

 

[KStatefan]

Thanks. There are plenty of on/off timers. I do not want to set times. I want the pump to be ON 24/7, and the I want to just walk up to it, turn a dial to 5 min, 20 min, whatever, and walk away knowing that in 5 or 20 or how ever many minutes later it will turn itself back on. In other words, a variable timed interrutor.

I posted one in one of your other threads. Is that not what you were looking for?

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

As near as I can tell if you want that you will have to make one or have someone make one for you.

The relays I posted are ON delay relays. When powered they count down the value you set and then turn on the output. They stay on until powered off again.
SO if you paired one with a switch and an electrical outlet you would turn the switch off, set the delay you want and then turn the switch on and then you device would start later.
You would have to enclose it in something to make it safe.

When I was younger I could almost build a house from scratch. Now I still have the knowledge, but the one thing I know next to zero about is electric. I am not and never was able to understand what you're talking about. Mental block. However, another fishguy responded with a device that DOES exactly what I need (see the post in this thread with the link). It's about $60. Problem is that it cannot be plugged into an outlet. It needs to be wired to the outlet in the wall or the switch controlling that specific outlet. So if I am forced to go that way I will need an electrician. Depending on what's going on in my crazy life I have between 6 and 10 tanks, every single one on a separate circuit. so that's maybe 8x60 plus probably a half day of an electrician, so I'm looking at around a grand. I went to home depot tonight for something else, and I walked over to the electrical section on a dream and was examining the delay switch with an analogue dial, and I just knew that probably all I had to do was open it up and switch a wire or pole or something and it would reverse the action. However, I am not capable and don't know how I could accomplish it. Thanks.

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

sorry for your losses

For my rental condo, I just found on Amazon for like $6 an 'old school' dial/wind 0-60 min timer that I connected to my bathroom fan/light so new tenants (hopefully) more likely to use fan in bathroom to control humidity. However, think you are looking for exact opposite of this: ww.amazon.com/dp/B002DN2PGY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

What works for me is leaving my bottom cabinet door open on the left side where main power is located. Family has learned if they come in fish room and door is open but I'm missing they need to 1) do something (check lighted switches and turn on those that are off) or 2) find me (which counts as do something, but some are more mature/able than others)

You are correct. it is opposite and I am not qualified to modify it. Scroll this thread and you will see a response with a link to what I do want, but it has to be professionally installed by an electrician. Thanks again

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

On delay timer
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ers_-z-_tachometers/timer_relays/ms4sa-ap-adc
100-240V AC
.05sec to 60 hours
TP48x socket
Internal relay rated for 2.5 A @ 120VAC inductive load
When power is applied, the timed N.O. contacts make after the set time has elapsed. When power is removed, the contacts reset
So you mount this and a momentary switch like a button the opens the circuit.
Press the button and you get the delay to on you set.

I cobbled this up in 5 minutes but they are called on delay timers

Short time ones like 10 minutes are used in AC to keep the compressor off in a brown out.
Those are called delay on break timers

Again you interrupt the power and then it counts down until it turns back on.

or
Amazon product

which appears to be the same sort of thing but is cheap enough to buy and fool around with
I think it is a delay on break too.

This is gobbledygook to me
Power on delay, plus timing. With large transparent time setting knob for setting time easily, 8 pin solder terminal for installation. Time Delay Relay used in industrial automation system and mechanical equipment to delay component. Relay is a kind of automatic electric switch, when supply with an input value, like electric, magnetic, light or thermal signal, it wall transfer the controlled circuit automatically and make an abrupt change, when the input value decreased to certain degree, it will resume to former state and make the controlled circuit back to the former stare. Features LED indicator show power and output status.

But what I think it means is delay on break.

I checked out your first suggestion, and it works but costs around 60 and I need 8 to 10 of them, and they must be professional installed. Total would be around a grand. Also, i cant find the one you just sent, although I have searched for the exact item on Amazon. They say Besos is worth 200,000 ONE MILLION DOLLAR BILLS. No wonder they can't afford to make nothing but a crappy, inaccurate and user unfriendly search function. If you send me his phone number I can call and loan him what he needs to do it right, as long as it's under ten dollars. Thanks for all your effort. It is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[EASTERN INDIGO]

GREAT!! I'm a little confused as to whether it delays turning BACK on delays starting when it hasn't been on in the first place. I'm going to call them manana and get clarification.

checked it out. I can't seem to learn how R2R arranges it's responses. I just wrote a long message to another responder telling him that this works but needs professional installation. See if youcan figure out how to find that one and read it. Thanks so much for your effort.

 

[attiland]

I recently crashed a tank by turning off the flow for a feeding and forgetting to put it back on. This was my only tank with a pump that did not have automatic pause and restart. About 50 years ago I had a device that had a wind up dial on the front. It had a plug that I plugged in the wall socket. It also had a place for me to plug a light or appliance into. When the dial was NOT turned to any number (from 1 to 60) the electrical flow was constant. Then if I wanted to turn off the current WITHOUT FORGETTING TO TURN IT BACK ON OR PLUG IT BACK IN all I had to do was turn the dial to the desired no-current amount of time. Then walk away. I could just forget about it and depend that the manual dial would count down and re-open the current. Had I had this device the tank would not have crashed. I didn't discover my mistake until the entire tank was dead two days later. I have spent LITERALLY years searching for this device. There are many timers out there, but analogue and digital that let you set times on and off, but NONE of them provided a temporary pause-and-walk-away security feature. Now I am looking for someone to teach me how to build one. Any ideas? I do NOT want a device that requires me to enter specific on and off clock times because I feed and do maintenance often and at different times.

Hi
why do you want to invent the wheel? The only thing is these days mechanical things are expensive and nobody really use them as they are unreliable and shot life. This feature leave on in smart switches. Any really. The only thing is that these days you have to use your phone or Alexa to do this. I use a smart extension lead for all my plugs and have a few routines that do the exact thing you are looking for.
one of them is feeding which turns of various devices to minimise flow and ATO
and 10 minutes later turns them back on in the order suits me.
no skill involved.
i use these: Amazon product

 

[ClownWrangler]

Some digital outlet timers allow for multiple on times without setting any off times. I just set 10 on times throughout the day. When I feed, I manually turn off the timer and then turn it back to auto, just two button presses.

If you don't like the solution I just gave you because you have to enter some times, you are out of luck, because what WVned gave you is pretty much the solution to what you are after. Wiring this timer would not require a professional. It's not that difficult.

 

[ClownWrangler]

Hi
why do you want to invent the wheel? The only thing is these days mechanical things are expensive and nobody really use them as they are unreliable and shot life.

Your right, those on delay timers only have a life of about 10,000 cycles, which is pretty short.

 

[WVNed]

Do you have a friend with basic electric wiring skills? You dont have to wire this into a wall.
You are making a power cord with the relay in the middle

The one I linked on Amazon is $17.
You would also need a decent extension cord, a wall switch, a box with cover, all available at home depot.

Cut the extension cord in half and you have your plug in and outlet.

So you cut one of the switch holes out for the dial.
You end up with a power cord with a box in the middle that has a switch and a dial

Or even easier
skip the switch, just unplug it and plug it back in when you want to reset it. It would do the same thing.

Plug what you want to delay turning on for 1-60 minutes into it.
2 & 7 are your coil, which will remain constantly energized even after the relay times out. 8 & 5 are your delay off, 8 and 6 are your delay on.

The numbers refer to the connections on the base socket.

This is basic make it yourself DIYing