# Making a Timer **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [July 2, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992 "2014-07-02T19:38:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nicte83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/838e76/32.png) [@nicte83](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/nicte83)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/1 "2014-07-02T19:38:20Z")
Hi, I have zero experience, but am not adverse to learning. I work in a laboratory. One of our tests uses a vacuum pump for either 1 minute or two minutes. Right now it is plugged into a power strip that I switch on and off… which means I have to babysit it which digs into my efficiency quite a bit. I want to create something that functions like the belkin conserve socket ([http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Conserve-S … B003P2UMS0](http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Conserve-Socket-F7C009q-Energy-Saving/dp/B003P2UMS0)) - only with 1 & 2 minutes, versus the times they have. I have been browsing around, and maybe picaxe? maybe something with the powerswitch tail II? I really don’t know what I need to get started. Please give me some advice as to how you think I should approach this project? ---
**Author:** ![lyndon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@lyndon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lyndon)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 1:47am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/2 "2014-07-03T01:47:20Z")
Building a timer with two fixed times is pretty easy, but it depends on your background. Can you program? How accurate does the timer need to be? The solution may be either a simple Arduino-type control (accurate, but requires programming skills) or building from a schematic on the web (not as accurate, but no programming needed). [[Here](https://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=36616&hilit=+timer#p163883) Is a simple demo I made that switches a solenoid valve on for a preset time. Probably took about 5 minutes of programming with an off the shelf board. OTOH, what’s wrong with off the shelf timers? They are pretty cheap.]([https://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=36616&hilit=+timer#p163883](https://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=36616&hilit=+timer#p163883)) ---
**Author:** ![nicte83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/838e76/32.png) [@nicte83](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/nicte83)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/3 "2014-07-03T13:44:54Z")
If you could find me an off the shelf timer that shuts off the power at one and two minutes you would be my hero, I have looked all the places I know to go and come up empty… It needs to be fairly accurate. Going over by a few seconds is not a problem, but under would be. It must be consistently repeatable. I have never programmed like this, I can use xhtml/css, manipulate javascript and do some php. I don’t mind learning a new thing. ---
**Author:** ![Mee\_n\_Mac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Mee\_n\_Mac](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Mee_n_Mac)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/4 "2014-07-03T14:40:27Z")
If you don’t need high precision timing … [http://www.zoro.com/i/G1835206/?category=4793](http://www.zoro.com/i/G1835206/?category=4793) Spring Wound Timer, **Timing Range 5 Minutes** , Contact Form SPST, Power Rating @ 125 VAC 1 HP, Power Rating @ 250 VAC 2 HP, Load Capacity @ 125 VAC 20 (Inductive)/7 (Tungsten) Amps, Load Capacity @ 250 VAC 10 Amps, Load Capacity @ 277 VAC 10 Amps, Hold Feature No, Decorator, Mechanical, 2 1/2 Inches Deep Junction Box, Ivory ---
**Author:** ![nicte83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/838e76/32.png) [@nicte83](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/nicte83)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/5 "2014-07-03T16:50:39Z")
That could work, but I would like to keep exploring my options - as I have to “sell” the method to my bosses! ---
**Author:** ![Mee\_n\_Mac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Mee\_n\_Mac](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Mee_n_Mac)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/6 "2014-07-03T23:01:23Z")
You could look at the various count-down timer kits and then couple one of those with a relay or the powerswitch tail. But if your bosses are like my corporate hierarchy, they’ll want something UL approved. ---
**Author:** ![lyndon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@lyndon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lyndon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/7 "2014-07-04T00:16:38Z")
What’s your budget for this? There is an [[eBay timer](http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STM8S003F3-Digital-Timing-Module-Timer-Module-with-Display-/251571968738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a92db9ae2) for under $5. AKA “you pays your money and you takes your chances…” You could use [[an industrial timer](http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Process_Control_-a-_Measurement/Timer_Relays_-z-_Counters_-z-_Tachometers/Multi-Function_Digital_Counter_-z-_Timer_-z-_Tachometer/CTT-1C-A120) for $69. Will probably work as advertised and may need some connection to A/C and power output, but probably do what you need for $100 all in. Simpler, cheaper [[version](http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Process_Control_-a-_Measurement/Timer_Relays_-z-_Counters_-z-_Tachometers/Fuji_Electric_Timer_Relays_Mini-DIN_%28ST7_Series%29/ST7P-2DE5S-ADC) also available. Timing is one of the most common process control functions, so timers of all flavors are generally readily available. [edit] Sorry, I was thinking 1-2 seconds instead of 1-2 minutes, but the comment above still applies. Automation Direct has dozens or hundreds of timers and many of them are square in the range you need. Or an Arduino mini with a relay and a couple of pushbuttons for around $50 total would probably do it. The DIY way usually isn’t as cheap as it first seems. If you can handle Javascript & PHP you should be able to manage enough C to get a timer working. I can also build you one, but any of the above options would probably be cheaper.]([http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Process\_Control\_-a-\_Measurement/Timer\_Relays\_-z-\_Counters\_-z-\_Tachometers/Fuji\_Electric\_Timer\_Relays\_Mini-DIN\_(ST7\_Series)/ST7P-2DE5S-ADC](http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Process_Control_-a-_Measurement/Timer_Relays_-z-_Counters_-z-_Tachometers/Fuji_Electric_Timer_Relays_Mini-DIN_%28ST7_Series%29/ST7P-2DE5S-ADC))]([http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Process\_Control\_-a-\_Measurement/Timer\_Relays\_-z-\_Counters\_-z-\_Tachometers/Multi-Function\_Digital\_Counter\_-z-\_Timer\_-z-\_Tachometer/CTT-1C-A120](http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Process_Control_-a-_Measurement/Timer_Relays_-z-_Counters_-z-_Tachometers/Multi-Function_Digital_Counter_-z-_Timer_-z-_Tachometer/CTT-1C-A120))]([http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STM8S003F3-Digital-Timing-Module-Timer-Module-with-Display-/251571968738?pt=LH\_DefaultDomain\_0&hash=item3a92db9ae2](http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STM8S003F3-Digital-Timing-Module-Timer-Module-with-Display-/251571968738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a92db9ae2)) ---
**Author:** ![nicte83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/838e76/32.png) [@nicte83](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/nicte83)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/8 "2014-07-07T13:20:40Z")
Thank you for your input. Now I just need to get approval. ---
**Author:** ![lyndon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@lyndon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lyndon)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/9 "2014-07-07T16:23:05Z")
Which of the suggestions did you choose? If it’s the Chinese eBay timers, I really want to know if they work well. [edit] And if you need help wiring everything up, just post here or PM me. > nicte83: > Thank you for your input. Now I just need to get approval. ---
**Author:** ![n1ist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@n1ist](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/n1ist)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/making-a-timer/28992/10 "2014-07-08T12:25:16Z")
I use Omron HC3R timers for life-testing and similar controls in the lab. Programmable on and off times from seconds to hours. The ones I use have a 120VAC coil, and I drive a contactor or relay to control heavy loads. /mike