555 timer IC controller

[0 Agios]

Has anyone used a 555 timer as a controller ?

[rsman]

sure.... at least to control some things. whatcha looking for?

[funman1]

The real question would be why?
There's MUCH better, cheaper solutions out there.

[Siberia]

Originally posted by 0 Agios
Has anyone used a 555 timer as a controller ?

Yeah, I do. I made myself an ATO controller using a 555 and a few other discrete components. Its' been working for over 1.5 year now. The only issue I had, in May, was salt water getting into a connector and causing a short in the open position. The result was that my saltwater tank became a freshwater one.

Lesson learner: Make sure your connectors are well sealed with silicone!

[BeanAnimal]

Originally posted by funman1
The real question would be why?
There's MUCH better, cheaper solutions out there.

555 Timers are less than $1.00 each. You must be confusing something other device.

[BeanAnimal]

I use them for a few things. I have a 555 based feeding timer thread around here somwhere.

[BeanAnimal]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...ht=555+feeding

[funman1]

No I realize that the 555 it's self is very cheap, it's all the crap that you have to add to it to make it work / do anything useful.
Capacitors, resistors, Pots, Power supply, Relay for output, LEDs, etc......

You can get an adjustable TDR (Time Delay Relay) for like $10 bucks, and it will do everything your circuit does in one small device from .01 seconds to 2 days(48 hours).
And they are pure 120V so no other relays or power supply are needed to operate them.

Just the TDR and 2 buttons and you are all setup...

I know this is they DIY forum and all, but why make something more complicated and prone to failure than you have to?

Here is some pictures of mine.

[BeanAnimal]

I breadboarded my circuit for under $10

Last I checked the units like you are holding cost $80 bucks on ebay. If you can get em for $10, then get me one. I have other uses for it.

[0 Agios]

Thanks for the replays, what i need has to be powered at 9-14v DC and control with a relay pumps, I was thinking of probably having an astable oscillator using the 555. My goal is when power is applied to have the relay go on every 15 minutes for 3 seconds. Thanks again.

[0 Agios]

thanks funman but that relay wont do what I want.

[BeanAnimal]

As mentioned in the other thread...

You can use my circuit to derive you 3 second relay pulse. You can drive that with a second similar 555 that puts out a short pulse every 15 minutes.

You could also just run a simple single 555 in astable mode.... Easier but not as configurable.

http://www.csgnetwork.com/ne555timer2calc.html
Try
.01 farads
130K R1
450R R2

gives you an astable pulse of 3 seconds low and 904 seconds high.

[wife no likey]

Just to reiterate what funman1 stated, I have been using an Agastat time delay for awhile now to control the mixing of my kalk reactor.

I also just got another one to use on purging the initial water from my RO. Got if for $8.

The agastat's are also rated for use in nuclear reactors.

[BeanAnimal]

bah... who wants to plug stuff in? I would rather sniff lead and silver and play with muriatic acid and copper.

That don't call my basement furnace room "beans radio shack" for nuthin

[0 Agios]

you don't have the flexibility of the 555 timer with just a time delay relay.

[wife no likey]

I choose to leave exposed connections in areas prone to dripping saltwater myself.

[denverhoss]

I did a search for Agastat time delays and I don't see anything in the $8-10 range. Can you share your source? I've been looking at building some 555 timers to run some dosing pumps, but TDR might work too.

[wife no likey]

I got my last one from:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdouglas_cherylQQhtZ-1

If you search for agastat in completed items, there are a few from him that just closed w/ no bids.


the 7012 is the delay on pickup; you'll just need to pay attention to the range of TD and voltage specs.

Pete

[0 Agios]

Originally posted by denverhoss
I did a search for Agastat time delays and I don't see anything in the $8-10 range. Can you share your source? I've been looking at building some 555 timers to run some dosing pumps, but TDR might work too.

The 555 works great I am almost done with a 3 stage timer that would almost impossible to find the way I want it.

[funman1]

pennilessreefer, That's where I got mine a long time ago.

Yeah I totally respect people who dream up stuff like that and do it.
I got too tired of etching boards, and once I found out about
http://www.expresspcb.com
Where I can get 3 boards etched for only $51.00 ($17.00 each) and free layout software, I have NEVER looked back.
I respect the old ways, I'm just too tired to do them any more when there are such cheap other awesome solutions out there.

More power to ya guys!!

[BeanAnimal]

I just don't like their software or size limits.

pcbpool is kind of cool too.

I am not that fond of the whole etching mess, but the drilling is what kills me. That, and the fact that there is no easy way to plate through holes or vias.

Have you checked out the front panel software? Same kind of deal as express pcb. DL the sofware, create your dream panel and then they punch it, engrave it and ship it.

[funman1]

They don't really have size limits, unless you're talking about for that price size limit...

Website for front panel software?
That sounds like my kind of DIY!!!

[BeanAnimal]

Yeah and the price goes up very quickly!

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/

[0 Agios]

After about 20 years without touching this stuff, this 555 project reminded me of my younger days fellas , thanks for the info Bean Animal and funman1, I am going back to the Leader 5 MHZ single trace oscilloscopes. I found out Radio Shack does not carry anymore the variety of parts they used to do, I guess you guys order this stuff online now ? any good sites for project boxes and parts ? Thanks again.

[BeanAnimal]

parts - eBay is where I stock my parts bin.

Retail: Jamco, Allied, Newark, Digikey, Mouser, etc.

Surplus: allelectronics, surplus sales of nebraska, etc