How to build Repeating Timer No5

Description

This timer circuit will only run when the temperature rises above a preset level. There's an alternative version - Repeating Timer No.6 - that only works while the temperature is below the preset level.

R7 lets you set the temperature. The value of the thermistor is not critical. The important thing is the voltage on pin 1. Any value thermistor should work satisfactorily. But you may need to change the value of R7 - to achieve the desired range of adjustment.

Schematic Diagram

Setting The Timer

The circuit is basically an Astable Oscillator. And the output times depend on the value of C1 - and the speed at which it charges and discharges through the resistor network. The length of time the relay remains energized is controlled by R1 & R2. And the length of the time it remains de-energized is controlled by R3 & R4. The fixed resistors set the minimum period lengths - and the maximum period lengths are set by R2 & R3. With the component values shown - both periods are adjustable from about 1 to 30 minutes.

You can change the component values to suit your own requirements. If your time periods don't need to be too precise - and more-or-less is close enough - you can leave out the pots altogether - and simply rely on R1 & R4 to set the times. Owing to manufacturing tolerances - the precise length of the time periods available depends on the characteristics of the actual components you've used - and a 4093 will produce longer time periods than a 4011.

IMPORTANT

Do not use the "on-board" relay to switch mains voltage. The board's layout does not offer sufficient isolation between the relay contacts and the low-voltage components. If you want to switch mains voltage - mount a suitably rated relay somewhere safe - Away From The Board. I've used a SPCO/SPDT relay - but you can use a multi-pole relay if it suits your application.

Alternative Capacitor

When the oscillator is running - the polarity of the charge on C1 keeps reversing. So C1 needs to be non-polarised. However - you can simulate a non-polarised 470uF capacitor by connecting two 1000uF polarised capacitors back to back - as shown. How and why this works is explained in the Detailed Circuit Description. Because non-polarised capacitors aren't widely available - the prototype was built using two polarised capacitors.

Veroboard Layout

Setting The Temperature

Roughly speaking - the operating temperature will adjust from about 5ºC to 75ºC (41ºF to 167ºF). However - this wide range makes the adjustment coarse. You can improve control by reducing the value of the pot and increasing the value of R6. Use R6 to take you close to the desired temperature - and use the reduced value pot to make the fine adjustment.

Setting the operating temperature is best carried out "in situ" using trial-and-error. If the timer starts at too low a temperature - turn R7 a little to the right. If it starts at too high a temperature - turn R7 a little to the left.

The following readings will give you some idea of what to expect. They are taken from the prototype. They apply to the Cmos 4011. And they were made using a cheap digital multimeter and a cheap thermometer. They are intended for guidance only. You should NOT expect to get identical readings.

My thermistor measured 4.45K at 25ºC (77ºF). My supply voltage measured 12v4. And the Pin 1 switching point was measured at just over 6v9. With R7 set to 5k - the timer worked at temperatures above about 21.5ºC (71ºF).

Temperature Sensor

The mass of the thermistor is small - and it will react quickly to changes in temperature. This makes it sensitive to thermal currents. One solution is to create an enclosed environment - where the thermistor is protected from momentary draughts - but can still respond to slower changes in the overall ambient temperature.

The Supply Voltage

The timer is designed for a 12-volt power supply. However - it will work at anything from 5 to 15-volts. All you need do is select a relay with a coil voltage that suits your supply. I used a single pole relay in the prototype - but you can use a multi-pole relay if it suits your application.

Part list

circuit from http://www.zen22142.zen.co.uk/ronj/al1/rt5.html