Calling all electronic geeks :)

[StirCrazy]

Ok I need someone to tell me how to build this or what I can buy (for cheep ) that will do it.
http://members.shaw.ca/stircrazy/controle.jpg

what I want to do is use the magic box to alternate the 24Vac output between #1 and #2.
so when #1 is energized #2 is not. I have looked at some timer circuts using the LC555 timer and they might be able to do part of it as they have timing circuts that are adjustiable between 1 min and 60 min which would be perfect.

there are some good pages for ideas here
http://www.cyberreefguru.com/fish/electronic/index.html
and
http://www.hobbytron.net/timers.html

maby you guys who know whats going on will know if one of thease kits will work with a slight modification images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Steve

[ 07 February 2002: Message edited by: StirCrazy ]</p>

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

What are the loading requirements on the 24VDC (load side) ? What is it driving ? Coil, motor, lights ?

- Victor.

[ 01 February 2002: Message edited by: reefburnaby ]</p>

[StirCrazy]

it is driving a selanoid valve..
Electrical specification: 24 VAC, 50/60 Hz.; Inrush: .30 amps.;
Holding: .19 amp.

is that what you ment?

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Yupe. Thanks.

How flexible would you like your valves controlled ? An alternating pattern good enough or something more complex ?

I have a circuit in mind already...should cost about $10.

- Victor.

[StirCrazy]

well at minamum alternat every 60 seconds.. time adjustible from 60 seconds to say 1 hour would be a bonus and randon between 1 and 20 min would bee the absolute bonus hehe images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

serioulsy though, alternating every 60 sec would be cool but if it isn't much harder the time being adjustable from 1 min to 1 hour would be cool

Steve

[ 01 February 2002: Message edited by: StirCrazy ]</p>

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Are you serious about the random part...it'll cost you an extra $5. (I am not joking).

- Victor.

[StirCrazy]

hmmm why not, so you mean it will be fixed time(adjustiable) or randome mode?

Steve

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Random between 1 min to 20 min and it's minimum adjustable (i.e. 10 secs to 5 min adjustable).

- Victor.

[ 01 February 2002: Message edited by: reefburnaby ]</p>

[StirCrazy]

ya that would be cool, but would the be a way to make sure it can't be cycled faster than 1 min?
I would hate for it to be on randome and start switching 15 seconds later...

Steve

[reefburnaby]

Yupe.

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Here's an alpha copy. I am still thinking about...so don't build it yet. I think it should work (I don't have the proper tools to simulate this thing...so I have to do it by hand).

- Victor.

<EMBED src="http://www3.telus.net/myHome/fishswitcher.pdf" width="800" height="600"></EMBED>

[ 04 February 2002: Message edited by: reefburnaby ]</p>

[StirCrazy]

reefburnaby, problem.. I need this to run on 24VAC not dc, I showed it right in my original drawwing just typed it wrong.. sorry..

Steve

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Oops...okay, that circuit isn't going to work. The front end is fairly easy to change from AC to DC. The back end (the driving side) is going to be a bit tricky. Are you okay with relays ticking on and off...or do you want 100% silence ? 100% silence is solid state switches...the other uses relays.

Sorry.

- Victor.

[StirCrazy]

well depends on how loud. if it is a soft tic I don't mind as it will be in a closed stand and I can build a sound box around the valves if I have to.. if solid stait isn't to bad in price then that is ok also

Steve

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Come to think of it...you are going to be running some big pumps in your system. So, you probably won't hear the clicks coming from the relays (they are small relays).

I'll modify the schematic with AC in mind with the relays. Electronic version is available, but parts are hard to get locally (i.e. you'll need to go through digikey).

- Victor.

[StirCrazy]

hey Victor have you had time to come up with anything yet?

Steve

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Its in my head right now...so I have the circuit. I am a bit busy these days...same problem/deadline as Titus.

- Victor.

[StirCrazy]

no problem Victor

Steve