evandewindt Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 My grandfather came to me asking if I knew of a way to turn power on and off to a circuit for roughly 10 seconds or so every hour. He is working on an invention/project that requires his standard corded drill to be turned on and off throughout the day and night. I figured I could set up one of my lightorama controllers with my laptop for him to try his thing out for a month or two but I remember people saying induction loads are not compatible with the triacs and would harm the motor over time. Does anyone know of a simple timer or control method I can use to accomplish this for him? It doesn't need to be fancy. The simpler the better.. its just an experiment at this stage. The motor just needs to be 100% on or off...no VFD or anything like that.Power requirements are 120v 15amps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamS Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Make a sequence that keys up the drill, make the sequence only the time needed on that channel, then make a schedule to run once every hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandewindt Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Thats my plan unless someone suggests a way I can avoid using my controllers and just purchase a cheaper wall timer or something like that, I'd prefer to go that route... just don't wanna damage my controllers or damage his drill... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Isolate the drill from the controller with a relay, and you'll be fine. You'll need to size the relay contacts accordingly.It will help with a proof of concept, but there are much cheaper easier ways to do it, of course, if you go from test to prototype. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandewindt Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 That's a good ideaThanks for the help! I think ill go that route Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 This is a perfect use for PLC technologies like Insteon. I use stuff like this all over my house, mostly for lighting, but also to switch chargers on and off. During Christmas, my show computer sends an X-10 signal to my Insteon timer, which turns the front security and landscaping lights off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 DonFL wrote: Isolate the drill from the controller with a relay, and you'll be fine. You'll need to size the relay contacts accordingly.It will help with a proof of concept, but there are much cheaper easier ways to do it, of course, if you go from test to prototype.I agree with the relay idea as well.I used a relay hooked up to on channel to flash two 15 amp circuits my first year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave carlstedt Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 as an additional thought, relays have coils which are inductive...so, would an optical or solid-state relay be the final answer to eliminate all inductance...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 relays and solenoids are inductive as well how ever there is a fix for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 you could use an industrial timer like http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALLEN-BRADLEY-REPEAT-CYCLE-TIMER-NIB-/120904150156?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2672ec8cyou would want a recycling timer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 dave carlstedt wrote: as an additional thought, relays have coils which are inductive...so, would an optical or solid-state relay be the final answer to eliminate all inductance...?Either would work. The relay approach should be fine, and likely the simplest setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 evandewindt wrote:My grandfather came to me asking if I knew of a way to turn power on and off to a circuit for roughly 10 seconds or so every hour. He is working on an invention/project that requires his standard corded drill to be turned on and off throughout the day and night. I figured I could set up one of my lightorama controllers with my laptop for him to try his thing out for a month or two but I remember people saying induction loads are not compatible with the triacs and would harm the motor over time. Does anyone know of a simple timer or control method I can use to accomplish this for him? It doesn't need to be fancy. The simpler the better.. its just an experiment at this stage. The motor just needs to be 100% on or off...no VFD or anything like that.Power requirements are 120v 15ampsI would find someone looking for a job making minimum wage to plug and unplug it. Then, you created a job and the economy get stimulated. Nothing like good ol' American enginuity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 The thing about relays versus a motor. The current drawn has a direct relationship to the amount of CEMF generated when the field collapses. I would still install a MOV across the output terminals. Cheap insurance to not blowing a Triac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Gillespie Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 wbottomley wrote: I would find someone looking for a job making minimum wage to plug and unplug it. Then, you created a job and the economy get stimulated. Nothing like good ol' American enginuity. William you should run for President, what a great idea, lots of people looking work LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 instead of 16 channels have 8 people plugging and unplugging Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Max-Paul wrote: The thing about relays versus a motor. The current drawn has a direct relationship to the amount of CEMF generated when the field collapses. I would still install a MOV across the output terminals. Cheap insurance to not blowing a Triac.as Max Paul said a Varistor will helpYou could also use a capacitor this site could be some help as well http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/2BDBFE5E5C033794C1256BFF0067E141i have used a solenoid before w/o any protective devices for testing of a halloween prop with out any problems but would not recommend it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 An MOV or a 1N400X series silicon diode, either one will suffice.Definitely would not recommend a capacitor...but thats just me...:shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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