A DIY $6 Wavemake to control a powerhead! - Page 4

CountersCC · #76 11/20/2005, 08:48 AM

would you be able to mod one out for me and ship it to rochester N.Y. Thanks

Mr Bojangles · #77 11/20/2005, 09:42 PM

well I am glad that every one is happy with these and they are still going strong!

cja_2000 · #78 11/21/2005, 07:28 AM

i have just tryed this with 3 timers destroying them all i found that as soon as the timer turn to the tab it stalls i even geared it down a bit more but found that is would only change every 5 mins or so not as fast as i want

any ideas?

itZme · #79 11/21/2005, 12:13 PM

This is where you have to go back to the pics and check out the section that shows how to bend the tabs on the actual switch part of the timer (the contacts).
When you bend them over it takes less force to open and close the contacts and also reduces the noise generated when the contacts close almost totaly silencing the "click" sounds.
You almost have it done if it runs every minute but stalls when the timer hits the tabs. I had to take mine apart about 5 times and tweak the contacts before I got it just right. Mine has been going for about a month now and works great.

Good luck!

-- itZme

justgeorge · #80 11/21/2005, 05:34 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mr Bojangles
[B]thanks! Its still going strong now, Ill keep you posted. I think there should be no problems with it as long as everything moves smothly and you dont put alot of stress on the motor, thats why you just need to work on the switch. I also Tried the 12 on/off timer (the one with a bunch of tabs around the dial) And It didnt work as well. But then I figured turning the pump on and off that many times in 60 sec would be bad
[QUOTE]

many expensive wave timers turn powerheads on/off several time per minute.

Starscream · #81 11/21/2005, 06:48 PM

Absolutly outstanding!

I completed this in less than an hour, it worked perfectly the first try, and is making beautiful waves in my take right now.

The only thing I did differently was I threw a little teflon electronics greese on the gear shafts and inside the front dial to reduce the stress on the motor a little more. Not sure if it helped but it worked on the first startup so...

If you set the on/off selectors 180 from each other it cycles every 33 seconds to be more presice.

BIG FAT UPS TO BOJANGLES ON THIS.
I recomend that this be added to the DIY links page or made a sticky immediately! 100% freakin brilliance!

Mr Bojangles · #82 11/21/2005, 09:26 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by justgeorge

Quote:

[i]
many expensive wave timers turn powerheads on/off several time per minute.

true, but the whole point of DIY is to avoid $$$$ wave makers. I will pay $6 for every 30sec then $100 for every 5 sec

Quote:

Originally posted by Starscream

The only thing I did differently was I threw a little teflon electronics greese on the gear shafts and inside the front dial to reduce the stress on the motor a little more. Not sure if it helped but it worked on the first startup so...

now thats a good idea! I had to play with mine to dial it in just right!

motopsycho · #83 11/22/2005, 10:33 AM

This is one of the BEST DIY projects I have seen in a while !

domer · #84 11/22/2005, 01:05 PM

I don't want to sound like a downer but if it caught fire
and burned you home down and your insurance company
found out you tinkered with that 4$ timer they might
not cover you and not to mention the lives you could put at risk.

but over all ,its a cool little idea, .

motopsycho · #85 11/22/2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by domer
I don't want to sound like a downer but if it caught fire
and burned you home down and your insurance company
found out you tinkered with that 4$ timer they might
not cover you and not to mention the lives you could put at risk.

but over all ,its a cool little idea, .

Oh Domer, why so negative

I haven't read this in great detail but are they not just tinkering with the gearing?

Mr Bojangles · #86 11/22/2005, 04:29 PM

I duno how it could catch fire? The motor has a resistor on it that steps it way down to a small voltage and that would be it

DucatiRave21 · #87 11/22/2005, 06:53 PM

i think its a great idea. worth a shot id say.

Saltz Creep · #88 11/28/2005, 04:48 PM

I think I'll just get a few Clappers off eBay and let some pistol or mantis shrimps manage the wavemaking.

Mr Bojangles · #89 11/28/2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saltz Creep
I think I'll just get a few Clappers off eBay and let some pistol or mantis shrimps manage the wavemaking.

Thats a great Idea! Maybe we can hook up a sweet dace machine too! that will make them come out and clap all night!

Racenrich · #90 11/29/2005, 12:44 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Saltz Creep
[B]I think I'll just get a few Clappers off eBay and let some pistol or mantis shrimps manage the wavemaking.

LOL!

that is off the wall funny!

i think this is an awesome idea..............someone going to market them soon?

Mr Bojangles · #91 11/29/2005, 08:20 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Racenrich
[B]

Quote:

Originally posted by Saltz Creep
I think I'll just get a few Clappers off eBay and let some pistol or mantis shrimps manage the wavemaking.

LOL! that is off the wall funny!

i think this is an awesome idea..............someone going to market them soon?

what do you mean by market? I dont think I could sell them since the copywrite law and such on the timer I trashed, plus this (I hope) no one will try to sell for profit. I put this on RC for everyone to do forthemself as a DIY just like I like to share all my lil tresures for free.

Worldwithin · #92 11/29/2005, 08:43 PM

I think the previous post was regarding marketing "clappers" as wavemakers.

At least, that is how I took it...

doody · #93 11/29/2005, 09:50 PM

I did all the mods, but nothing in the gear box is moving or makeing a sound. I can twist one gear by hand and all the others move easily when I do so. I plugged a lamp to it and its getting electricity.

What did I do wrong?

doody · #94 11/30/2005, 02:04 PM

^^

doody · #95 11/30/2005, 06:07 PM

Are the two metal tabs suposed to be touching or not? I tried it both ways and still nothing happens.

ficklefins · #96 11/30/2005, 08:14 PM

Robert,

Does your timer wheel spin? If not then you may have to loosen the nut located below the gear box that holds the timer wheel to the base.

If it does spin, then does it eventually stop when it hits one of the on/off switches? If this is the case then your bent metal brackets are not allowing the white piece to spin across to the next interval so try bending them more.

By the way, the metal brackets will touch each other allowing the circuit to follow through the system (I'm not an electrician).

If none of these are the problem then check to see that your clear tubing is not to long causing the top most gear to hit the box. This would produce too much friction in which case your timer will not be able to spin all the gears.

Hope this helps, if not then try and describe what you think the problem is again.

doody · #97 11/30/2005, 10:12 PM

No, the timer wheel is'nt spinning at all. I did loosen it.
Are those metal brackets supposed to be touching to begin with, and as that white piece in the pic above spins, it seperates?
I'll doble check the length on the clear tube.

melev · #98 11/30/2005, 10:33 PM

The metal tabs should touch when you want to complete the circuit and send power to the powerhead. When they separate, power is stopped and the powerhead is off.

xrunner1234 · #99 11/30/2005, 11:14 PM

Where is everyone getting these timers? Does someone have a link to order online?
Thanks

ficklefins · #**100** 12/01/2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Bojangles
Ok I have been playing with this for awhile and have made this. Basicaly its a $4 timer from walmart