Digital Timer.

[Dan88]

Hello,

Just approaching completion of an exposure unit I've built, and would be hugely grateful to anyone who can offer any advice on a digital timer I'm hoping to control it with.

Basically the exposure unit is a shallow box full of fluorescent black light tubes, some of you may be familiar with them as I think they can be used to make printed circuit boards, I'm using mine for the screen printing process though, so no experience with printed circuit boards unfortunately.

The setup so far is 3 Tridonic ballast (PC3/4x18T8PROlp) running 12x 18w tubes. To this I'm hoping to add a timer. Something I can punch in 90 seconds or so and press start, the bulbs fire up, and when the time runs out the bulbs shut off, I could say the relay deenergizes but that might suggest I know what I'm on about! Which I really don't.

So after weeks of searching, I found this little guy. Muller TC 14.21, I'm not allowed to post links but a quick search of Muller timers will get you their site, it's also on RS components although the data sheet they have for it looks old.

From what I have read the functions of the unit are exactly what I'm after, I've hesitated forking out the steep £50 flags for it though as I'm worried I'm mistaking it for something it isn't.

If anyone can confirm whether this will do what I'm after, it would be such a help.

Many thanks in advance,

Dan.

 

[Doc Hudson]

So after weeks of searching, I found this little guy. Muller TC 14.21, I'm not allowed to post links but a quick search of Muller timers will get you their site, it's also on RS components although the data sheet they have for it looks old.

From what I have read the functions of the unit are exactly what I'm after, I've hesitated forking out the steep £50 flags for it though as I'm worried I'm mistaking it for something it isn't.

If anyone can confirm whether this will do what I'm after, it would be such a help.

Many thanks in advance,

Dan.

http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/129900/DIN-rail-mount-timer-digital-Mueller-TC-1421-230-Vac-8-A230-V?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=google_search&scamp=dynamic&saddg=product&gclid=CJj027W6jcECFesJwwodAr0AXg

Welcome to the forum. I have added a link to the device you described. Not sure if specifications are any different on this web page, or if you have already seen this page. (£46.99 inc delivery). It suggests it can do countdowns from 1second to 9hrs, 59mins, 59seconds. With a changover contact rated at 8Amps 230V

Doc H.

 

[Dan88]

Thanks a lot Doc!

One of the things that's making me a bit dubious is the description on that very site. It's says 'for printed circuit installation'. That, along with it's very small size, 48mm, is making me think it's not the type of device that will run my lights?

Thanks again,

Dan.

 

[Dan88]

Anybody? Please.

 

[NozSpark]

How big would you like it to be???

It sounds perfect to me, however youll have to mount it in a suitable enclosure

 

[Sidewinder]

Data sheet here:

http://www.hugo-mueller.de/download/39_DB_TCx4_GB.pdf

Manufacturers web page here:

http://www.hugo-mueller.de/save-time/count-down-timer-relay,d,en,1,9,39.html

Manual here:

http://www.hugo-mueller.de/manuals/39_BA_TCX4_Multi.pdf

Can't see anywhere here:

http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/129900/DIN-rail-mount-timer-digital-Mueller-TC-1421-230-Vac-8-A230-V?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=google_search&scamp=dynamic&saddg=product&gclid=CJj027W6jcECFesJwwodAr0AXg

It says that it is PCB mounting, it does say DIN rail mounting, but appears to be panel mounting from the manufacturers data.

HTH, Oh & it will switch 8A resistive, and 6A with cos phi of 0.6, on the data sheet.

 

[Marvo]

How are you intending to mount the timer and what are you size limitations? I'm sure you can find a decent timer considerably cheaper that 50 quid if you shop around a bit more.