Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Since there is more than one way to do a thing, I just ordered the following timer switch from ebay. Along with an overflow pipe and a small drain pipe, it should be satisfactory. No float switch needed. $14.20 USD delivered.
•Up to 36 On/Off settings per day
•Total 72 trippers, each tripper has 20-minute interval

Hi Tender

These will work but are susceptible to high humidity. Keep them dry


Gabe

Hi Tender,

What's that timer called? Got a link to the ebay ad?

Thanks

Mine just arrived in the mail this morning. I am going to like it. I have set it for 20 min on and 20 min off continuously. I used a shish-ke·bab stick to set the tiny trippers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24Hour-Mechanic ... 0990036412

nice

I notice this timer is 120VAC. How did you get it working on your solar setup? Through an inverter?

Hello jono, You can get some similar timer at jaycar (if even Darwin has one of their shops, then there should be plenty in NSW. )

Cheers

Thanks Gwydion, I'm aware you can buy 24 hour mains timers from Jaycar (and Bunnings and even some Woolies) eg http://search.jaycar.com.au/search?w=24 ... &view=list

but I'm very intrigued regarding the original post which was about running a pump/timer on solar, and I've been searching far and wide for a cheap low voltage, continuous 12 volt timer. The timer Tender posted above looks to be a mains timer still, which would require an inverter to run from a low voltage solar setup (in which case you lose electrical efficiency and add another potential point of failure)

Solar is wonderful, I'm all for it and run a couple of AP systems here on solar, however the more electrical gear one adds to the solar circuit, the more risk of creating your own unanticipated off-grid power failure.

eg if you connect the following components together in series: PV panel & battery > solar charge controller > fuse > inverter > timer > low voltage pump... just one of those failing when you are away at work and you may have dead fish

This is an interim solution. Since I have grid power and a collection of pumps, I can use this A/C switch until I find a satisfactory 12v setup. My solar system may even be able to run a small DC pump continuously along with a flood and drain grow bed with a syphon. In that case I would not even need a switch. This is all part of the fun of aquaponics. I am learning so much. I spend 35 minutes every morning on this wonderful site getting educated. The science involved with aquaponics is fascinating.

ah now I'm with you, thanks for clarifying..

good luck with it all

You can also get 12VDC timer at Jaycar... I am just not sure about the switching capacity, it says 56 cycles a week, but maybe I can see why it doesn't say per day...

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... rm=KEYWORD

Energy consumption looks a little bit high with 7VA...