Timer to control a relay

[soulfinder78]

Any bro here have any experience with a relay and timer? Like DIY a timer to control a relay to prolong the life of a timer.

[Shadow]

sorry, don't really understand the question, timer to control timer?

[soulfinder78]

no problem let me rephase. I wanted to use a timer to control a relay. meaning the function of a relay is a more complicated switch. Which i wanted it to be on and off at a controlled timing. Therefore i need to connect a timer to it.

Is it more confusing now? lol

[tawauboy]

your idea will most probably not work.
your timer will not function as one without power.

is your idea something like this?
(timer) -> (relay) -> (timer)

[Shadow]

I guess you want to make a DIY timer to control relay. You can use microcontroller. Those PIC microcontroller from Microchip is a good start. You need to know a bit of programming though, assembly to be exact.

[soulfinder78]

your idea will most probably not work.
your timer will not function as one without power.

is your idea something like this?
(timer) -> (relay) -> (timer)

errr...no. it's more like wall socket -> timer -> relay -> lights

[tawauboy]

then there is no need for the relay. timers are designed to handle up to 13 amps. this power handling capability is more than enough to handle the lighting load.

your idea requires additional ac wiring that is dangerous (unless you know electricity well).

[soulfinder78]

then there is no need for the relay. timers are designed to handle up to 13 amps. this power handling capability is more than enough to handle the lighting load.

your idea requires additional ac wiring that is dangerous (unless you know electricity well).

i got not much of a choice. already spoil so many timer. this is the link to my posts.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=32711

[tawauboy]

which brand of timer are you using currently?
how much wattage are you switching with your timer?
there are good feedbacks for the brand 'theben'.

[soulfinder78]

I'm using TheBen timer. already burn 2.

lights = 432 watt
solenoid valve i'm not sure but cannot be more than 100 W


so total is 600 watt and it's power rating is 3200W which is 5 times.

i also did a KS stuff by connecting 1 timer to each piece of lights which means each timer only deal with 216 W max but still spoil

[stephen chung]

Sounds like you need contactor and not relay man..You can go down to Jalan besah there and ask around. I saw some shows there selling these stuff.

[soulfinder78]

Sounds like you need contactor and not relay man..You can go down to Jalan besah there and ask around. I saw some shows there selling these stuff.

oh my god...what's a contactor and what difference is it compare to a relay? I'm very confuse now. hahaha

[stephen chung]

Conatactor can handle much bigger current. We use it to run our Machine. You can use a timer to control it too. I am not an electrician so I am not too sure how to hook it up.

[soulfinder78]

hahahahaha....i'm confised. but really appreciate all your inputs. Will treat you guys to the claypot rice at C328 when i fix that problem. lolz

[hc rotala]

The Omron's relay aims to reduce stress (carbon spark) of the internal relay of the digital timer.

[alechim]

cool! wonder how much load can this handles?

[valice]

I'm using TheBen timer. already burn 2.

lights = 432 watt
solenoid valve i'm not sure but cannot be more than 100 W

so total is 600 watt and it's power rating is 3200W which is 5 times.

It could mean something is wrong with your lighting as well.
When you mentioned burnt, which part is burnt? And in what way is the timer not working? Doesn't turn off even when the needle is at "OFF"?

Kind of strange that at 600W, you are drawing 3A of current at most.

Did you try other brands of timers?

[soulfinder78]

It could mean something is wrong with your lighting as well.
When you mentioned burnt, which part is burnt? And in what way is the timer not working? Doesn't turn off even when the needle is at "OFF"?

Kind of strange that at 600W, you are drawing 3A of current at most.

Did you try other brands of timers?

yes i think it's strange too. But chances of 2 similar sets of lights giving the same problem are quite slim.

Maybe i should use the word it can't go off when it's suppose to be off instead of burnt.

I had used 5 different brand so far. I even tried the digital type but when it suppose to be on, the digital timer just cut it off again.

Now headache..

[tawauboy]

i think your timers suffer from 'fused' contact. each time the contact opens or closes, an arc occurs on the contact. arcing can melt the contact and if there is enough heat, the contact will fuse.

check with electrical shops to see if they have industrial grade timers. or get an electrical shop to hook up a contactor for you. use a normal timer to energize the contactor coil. the contactor contacts will act as the switch.

[soulfinder78]

i think my problem is solved. Till now all my equipment are running properly. But something i can't explain why. When the 2 timer controlling the lights failed, i just took out the main plug and plug it into another timer controlling the solenoid valve. Then everything works perfectly.

Connection is as follows : lights --> timer (spoilt, cannot off)--> power strip --> timer --> power point

Anyone here can enlighten me???