timer control

[whynotreuse]

Hey there: I need to control 4-6 on functions per day for a on time of 5-30 seconds per event. I am a mechanical guy so out of my depth with the wires. The system is 12 volt for a greenhouse irrigation system. Thanks!

 

[RajeevCell]

I do not know your question, but if you wanted suggestion for selecting the controller, then have a look at the Siemens LOGO! smart-relays. Other manufacturers also have similar products - Allen Bradley Pico, Schneider Zelio, Teco SG2, etc.

 

[jcaden]

Do the 4-6 functions need separate times, or could they all be on at the same times. It could be as simple as using a repeat cycle timer relay, or one for each function. You will need one with 2 time selections, one for the interval time, and one for the on time.

 

[IRstuff]

Are the 4-6 events on the same line, or different?

I don't see why you can't just use a standard sprinkler timer, which does the start and cycle times, and with some minor circuit mods, could handle more than 3 events per timer:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...y?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=sprinkler

timer&storeId=10051

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[whynotreuse]

Best I use an example: I have eight stations which need 12v dc applied to a solenoid operated valve four different times a day. The eight stations run in sequence (1 minute apart) for a duration between 10-40 seconds. Eight minutes and the stations will cycle once each. I can get 12v dc timers, but they do not program in seconds only minutes. It may be too expensive to get this done electronically. I can solve this with a mechanical solution using the cheap dc timers operating the cycles for 1 minute. Just figured I'd toss this one up for inspired thinking and suggestions. The application is a hydroponic garden control system we are putting together. My company:

http://sunstateorganics.com

thanks

 

[IRstuff]

OK, a purely commercial solution is probably not in the cards. You can probably roll your own.

Something like;

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9526

and a controller

http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/103?page=all

Or for something easier to program, but more expensive:

http://www.parallax.com/tabid/295/Default.aspx

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[IRstuff]

These are also a possibility for driving solenoids:

http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=3052

but it's VERY DIY

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[IRstuff]

Oh, I missed this earlier:

http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=9&product_id=1017_1

You can connect this to a PC's USB and control from the PC.

This one is supposedly a more manly relay board:

http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1014

There seems to be some amount of programming resources:

http://www.phidgets.com/programming_resources.php

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[hrcooper]

Here is another possible solution

http://www.pic-bee.com/LFX_main.html

You can program the relays to pulse on and off, etc over the serial interface. Also has IR control as well.