Timer query

[notable]

Hi Guys
Can anyone recommend a reliable timer.??, and where to buy one
I currently pump 10 minutes on , 50 minutes drain, and finding that HPM digital timers are unreliable
The first one lasted 4 days before chucking a wobbly, I returned it and the second one lasted 3 days before it started playing up. The digital readout becomes unreadable, then the clock just re sets itself despite having a battery backup
cheers
Rodney

[Aussieponic]

Notable i have a HPM digital timer that lets me do 14 on and 14 offs per 24 hours. I have been running it for 2 week now with out any problems and it is outside under an ice cream container.

Aussieponic

[gavinl]

Hi Rodney

I have used a 20 on/off timer for about two months which has been accurate. It is a generic Chinese one that can be found on ebay. You can find a similar one at:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3x-LCD-Programmable-Electronic-Digital-Plug-in-Timer-AU_W0QQitemZ180205884838QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3247QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hope it helps

gav

PS: only problem is that it has a Hong Kong (UK) plug, but the buyer supplies a plug adapter

[notable]

Thanks Guys
I have emailed HPM for their comments, meanwhile that Ebay model is looking attractive.
Keep you posted on the HPM response
cheers
Rodney

[Martin A1]

Hi Rodney,

I have used a couple of the cheap mechanical timers from that large hardware chain for some time without any real complaints. They can only be set to 15min increments but I have found that 15mins on and 60 mins off works OK for me.

They are a bit unreliable in the sense that some on cycles run for more than 15mins and some run for less but at long as you have your grow bed overflow set at the correct level it doesn't really matter. They are cheap too.

The other thing you could consider is a float switch connected to your pump. These are better on larger systems or where you have at least 30cm or more of water level variation in your main pond.

PS search the forum too cause there's also this very cool idea of using your homes electrical circuits to send on and off messages to your household devices including your backyard pumps... very cool! Not sure on the cost? Sorry I can't remember who's post it was.

[GaryD]

Hi,

I've been up a number of dry gullies in the pursuit of accurate and flexible timers. While I currently use cheap 15 minute (more or less) incremental timers, I have other uses which require smaller increments of time.

My next stop is a Clipsal agent. I think it may have been FishFood who suggested that I look at a a Clipsal tc32v1 hour timer (15 amp).....I believe that it will time down to 37 seconds .

Gary

[fishfood]

Thats the one

[notable]

Hi Gary
Probably dry gullies are not the place to look for timers, but you never know
I will go to an irrigation shop to see what they have, meanwhile I have disconnected the Fountain Pump (25watt) from the timer system, leaving only the Eheim and this is day 3 with no problems. Perhaps the cheaper type pumps do create havoc when they start up
Still waiting on HPM for their comments
Also probably a good idea to check out the Sunbury tip
cheers
Rodney

[Sunshine]

Notable,

The home automation gear (X10) works precisely and accurately to within one second for controlling all sorts of devices, e.g pump etc. It costs a couple of hundred to set it all up but it is infinitely expandable and extremely reliable.

Check these guys who are in Melbourne but ship anywhere.

http://www.envioustechnology.com.au/

I explained earlier in my thread how X10 works. It is simple and effective.

Sunshine

[fishfood]

Hi Gary
Probably dry gullies are not the place to look for timers, but you never know
I will go to an irrigation shop to see what they have, meanwhile I have disconnected the Fountain Pump (25watt) from the timer system, leaving only the Eheim and this is day 3 with no problems. Perhaps the cheaper type pumps do create havoc when they start up
Still waiting on HPM for their comments
Also probably a good idea to check out the Sunbury tip
cheers
Rodney
Smine keep away