Cycle timers, and digital timers.

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bam bam

Active Member
I need a timer that will turn on my AC. Maybe on for 30/15 mins and then off for 30/15 mins. Would I need a cycle timer? or just a regular timer?

I have heard cycle timers are really expsensive.
 
No need for a cycle timer, a standard one would do the job.
AC generally draws a lot of current so you would need to use a contactor pretty much the same idea as running a few kw`s of hps.
 
What I did is get a temperature switch.. it connects to your A/C and has a thermometer in it. You set it to the desired temp and when the temp gets 1-2 celcius or f. above, it turns on the ac. as soon as it reaches the temp again it goes off.
it cost me 25$ from wal mart, great buy.
 
Calijuana said:
What I did is get a temperature switch.. it connects to your A/C and has a thermometer in it. You set it to the desired temp and when the temp gets 1-2 celcius or f. above, it turns on the ac. as soon as it reaches the temp again it goes off.
it cost me 25$ from wal mart, great buy.
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How big is this temperature switch? my small cabinet might not have enough room for it.

I think I will use a timer instead. This temperature switch will constantly switch and and off. As soon as it sees temps past a certain degrees it turns on, my AC will bring temps down fast then it switches off, with my AC off, my lights will bring my temps back up again, then my AC switches on again. I think it will result to a lot on and off switching. With a timer my AC switches on maybe 2x in one hour.
 
If I need a timer with an on time of 5/10 mins and an off time of 25/20 mins would a regular cheap timer work, or do I need to get a exspensive cycle timer?
 
I'm looking for this information too. I'm trying to set up something so that my fan will be off for 15-30 min while my room fills with CO2 then turns on for 5 min to vent the hot air and repeats this cycle indefinitely. Anybody got a product they can suggest to do that?
 
A co2 controller would be a better choice, running the fan after filling the room with co2 seems counterproductive.
 
bam bam said:
If I need a timer with an on time of 5/10 mins and an off time of 25/20 mins would a regular cheap timer work, or do I need to get a exspensive cycle timer?
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you're gonna need a cycle timer. i bought an encore repeat cycle timer for $75. you can't precisely specify the on/offtime since they are just nobs. but a little bit of patience and a timer and you can get it in the general range.
 
Im not trying to be a smart ass but if you have an electronic AC you might have a few more probs' cuz once the power turns off if wont turn back on to the setting you had it last, the timer is a great idea (encore makes a great timer),but if you dont have a AC with mechanical knobs you might be in a bit of trouble ! if you have a newer AC its gonna have to set at the temp it will go up down and up so that it keeps your desired temp. SO timer maybe becuz there cool but a AC with mech knob control is a plus if you dont want it on a timer
hope this helps
 
notpatient said:
Im not trying to be a smart ass but if you have an electronic AC you might have a few more probs' cuz once the power turns off if wont turn back on to the setting you had it last, the timer is a great idea (encore makes a great timer),but if you dont have a AC with mechanical knobs you might be in a bit of trouble ! if you have a newer AC its gonna have to set at the temp it will go up down and up so that it keeps your desired temp. SO timer maybe becuz there cool but a AC with mech knob control is a plus if you dont want it on a timer
hope this helps
Click to expand...

with my AC unit, when I turn it off and back on, it keeps the original temperature setting. I think it can do this because it has a timer build in it, but the timer sucks because the on off time is at least 1 hour, that is why I need a timer that has an on off time in minutes rather than hours.
 
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