How do I set up a timer for an electrical switch that has a looped on-off schedule

Submitted by ilishpaturi t3_123kt8b in DIY

I’m conducting an experiment where I need the intermittent operation of a particular instrument. I require it to be turned on for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of off time; in a loop, throughout the day. What sort of timer device do I need to achieve this looped on-off schedule?

The normal digital timers allow you to set-up a schedule with up to 24 programs or so in a day. That’s simply not enough for us. I’ve heard that Raspberry Pi can be used for this, and while it is an option, I would prefer if some automated system, or low-code option already exists to achieve this.

Please help!

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ThreeBlurryDecades t1_jduzr2s wrote

You can buy "cycle timer" boards for only a few bucks on amazon, or a nicely packaged one that plugs into an outlet for about 25$. You can set interval and cycle from seconds to hours as needed.

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ilishpaturi OP t1_jdv2zgo wrote

That is exactly what I need; thank you very much.

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ThreeBlurryDecades t1_jdvcxf6 wrote

Glad to help. I have some I play with for feed spray cycles growing lettuce and peppers, they are a common thing in the greenhouse world. Good luck with your project!

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ivanhaversham t1_jduygl8 wrote

My first thought is a smart plug. If the native app doesn’t do it, IFTTT would.

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ilishpaturi OP t1_jduz6lm wrote

Yes, I also thought about a smart plug, but for the schedule I require in a day, I’ll have to set up over 500 separate programs, and I was wondering if the app would even allow that. I’ve never used IFTTT, but it sounds like a good alternative if the former doesn’t work.

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allangee t1_jdy38td wrote

Arduino, some very simple code, and a low dc to high ac relay.

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d4nowar t1_jdvfpkz wrote

Another recommendation for a mechanical timer.

Gardeners use them all the time for this exact purpose (lights on, lights off, water on, water off)

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bowowoyeah t1_jdvkjui wrote

If you want a new hobby instead of a simple solution. My automation is run using domoticz home automation on a raspberry pi, controlling basic sonoff switches. A little work to flash the switches, but it's cheap and you can run many using any logic you can think of.

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ilishpaturi OP t1_jdvwpaa wrote

That was the eventual solution I had in my mind, but it would take me a while to learn and get it working (I’m completely new to this), and I needed a more immediate solution 🙈.

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bowowoyeah t1_jdww331 wrote

I don't regret learning it. There are good tutorials for using tasmota. I totally get needing a quick solve, and there a lot of good plug in timers like stated above.

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