Aquarium timer using Irrigation computer

[gmccreedy]

Did you choose your relays yet WP? I am curious to see what the total cost of this will be.

[nycsicktank]

theres something like this in sw equipment =)

[swylie]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

That's one weird/good thing about this particular timer that you can control the zones independently, rather than a one after another deal like other timers.

Yeah, I saw where you mentioned that, and that's cool. It would still be nice if you could control each zone completely independently, but I guess that's not really necessary. However, I was referring to the relays that someone mentioned that had three channels or something. Of course they all switch together, so it doesn't do anything for you except increase the current handling capacity of your relay, so far as I can tell. Still six channels, not eighteen...

[LS6 Tommy]

Hey! Where did my post go?! It just disappeared! I posted an explanation of how you could use one output to control a relay, which would energize however many adjustable time delay relays to stage multiple items off of each output. I also explained the basic programming I would use to control my lunar lights, 3 stages of main lighting, the CO2 solenoid, Reactor pump & an air pump. I could do all that with the 4 zone unit.

I'm not going to sit here & rethink the timer schedule again. :P

Tommy

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by gmccreedy

Did you choose your relays yet WP? I am curious to see what the total cost of this will be.

No, I am searching. Got some excellent 110V relays for $0.75/ea (see link earlier) and I was hoping to find something similar for 24V.

So, the total cost would be

$35 for the irrigation timer
$5 for relays
$5 for power strip

$45 for basically 6 semi-independent advanced timers in a compact package. Not too bad.

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by LS6 Tommy

Hey! Where did my post go?! It just disappeared! I posted an explanation of how you could use one output to control a relay, which would energize however many adjustable time delay relays to stage multiple items off of each output. I also explained the basic programming I would use to control my lunar lights, 3 stages of main lighting, the CO2 solenoid, Reactor pump & an air pump. I could do all that with the 4 zone unit.

I'm not going to sit here & rethink the timer schedule again. :P

Tommy

Hmmm... lost in electron land.

This sounds workable, but then you'd have to add delay timers, which adds to the total cost and complexity I guess. I prefer to spend a bit more for a 6 zone timer upfront, and the flexibility to time minutes up to 12 hours is pretty good.

[LS6 Tommy]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Hmmm... lost in electron land.

This sounds workable, but then you'd have to add delay timers, which adds to the total cost and complexity I guess. I prefer to spend a bit more for a 6 zone timer upfront, and the flexibility to time minutes up to 12 hours is pretty good.

I agree on the 6 zone, but you can still only have 2 zones energized at the same time. The beuaty of using TDR's is you can stage multiplethings off of 1 or 2 zones. A TDR costs about $8.00 for me.

Tommy

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by LS6 Tommy

A TDR costs about $8.00 for me.
Tommy

Just for you, or anyone? Got a link or source?

I am asking because I built some delay timers with relays, but buying the circuit board, relay, and plugs added up to a bit more.

[LS6 Tommy]

Originally Posted by LS6 Tommy

I agree on the 6 zone, but you can still only have 2 zones energized at the same time. The beuaty of using TDR's is you can stage multiplethings off of 1 or 2 zones. A TDR costs about $8.00 for me.

Tommy

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Just for you, or anyone? Got a link or source?

I am asking because I built some delay timers with relays, but buying the circuit board, relay, and plugs added up to a bit more.

Sorry, bad typo! It should read $28.00. At least that's what i used to get them for. Here's an example (even though it's not who we used to get them from):

http://www.wolfautomation.com/Produc...roductID=22575

Tommy

[kornphlake]

It's no dollar relay, but it's probably the best you'll find assuming whatever you are powering doesn't draw more than 3A
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...?name=PB139-ND

There are a couple others, this one is a little less and will handle 10A@250VAC, way overkill but it'll save you a couple bucks per relay
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...l?name=Z843-ND

5A@220VAC
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...l?name=Z184-ND

[dekstr]

This sounds interesting. I don't understand most of it, but when you guys have it figured out, make sure to write out a irrigation set-up for dummies article!

In the mean time I'll keep reading and scratching my head.

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by kornphlake

It's no dollar relay, but it's probably the best you'll find assuming whatever you are powering doesn't draw more than 3A
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...?name=PB139-ND

There are a couple others, this one is a little less and will handle 10A@250VAC, way overkill but it'll save you a couple bucks per relay
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...l?name=Z843-ND

5A@220VAC
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...l?name=Z184-ND

Thanks, but nah... not even close to the best I will find. This is a bit closer.

[kornphlake]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Thanks, but nah... not even close to the best I will find. This is a bit closer.

Or you can use that. I never think to look on ebay for stuff like that, usually for items under about $10 you don't save much after paying the inflated shipping and handling fees.

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by gmccreedy

Did you choose your relays yet WP? I am curious to see what the total cost of this will be.

Originally Posted by kornphlake

Or you can use that. I never think to look on ebay for stuff like that, usually for items under about $10 you don't save much after paying the inflated shipping and handling fees.

Just went ahead and bought six

POTTER & BRUMFIELD KHAU-17A11-24 RELAY 14 BLADE 24VAC

via fleabay. They were $2.75 ea and with (very reasonable) shipping the total came out to $20 flat, or $3.33/relay.

[gmccreedy]

Did you just solder to the pins of these relays to make the connections or did you buy some type of base unit to plug the relays into? I am a bit lost with this electrical stuff here, but this is totally intriguing to say the least.