Battery powered timer with dry set of contacts.

[srahmn]

Looking to see if anyone has a good suggestion for a battery powered time clock with only battery as a source. Preferred to be N3R but can always put in an enclosure. There is no utility or emergency power present.

 

[hbiss]

There is no utility or emergency power present.

So, what does it control?

-Hal

 

[srahmn]

We install home generators. We have a client who wants to shut down their generator at night. "quiet time". The generator provide voltage through a dry set of contacts in the ATS. there will be no voltage present.

 

[hbiss]

Run it off the battery.

INT-MAT FM1D14-12U 12V ELTRN T-SW | Gordon Electric Supply, Inc.

INTERMATIC FM1D14-12U 24-HOUR/7-DAY ELECTRONIC TIMER MODULE, 12VDC

www.gordonelectricsupply.com

-Hal

 

[srahmn]

Unfortunately the generator is 250’ from the house and customer wants the controller at house in case they want to turn on manually. Need a self contained solution. Thanks for your input. Thought about pulling out feeder and adding conductors. Also issue is we have had power outages exceeding 10 days and concern the battery drain could be enough to not start the generator.

 

[hbiss]

So, you need something that uses no external power and has to work remotely from 250 ft. That would be something that somebody would have to build from separate components. Rechargeable battery power supply at both ends, wireless remote control with receiver at generator end and transmitter at house, that time clock or one like it installed in a cabinet with a manual switch on it.

Or maybe there's an app for it...

-Hal

 

[srahmn]

Woods Indoor Flip-Switch Battery Operated Digital Light Switch Timer, White 59744WD - The Home Depot

The Indoor Flip-Switch Battery Operated Digital Light Switch Timer fits over your existing wall plate and automatically flips the toggle switch at programmed times. Perfect for turning on and off overhead

www.homedepot.com

looking for a more durable version of something like this. Tork and Intermatic do not make one.

 

[hbiss]

"Fits over your existing wall plate and automatically flips the switch at programmed times".

Now tell me how that will do what you wanted above with remote control from 250'.

-Hal

 

[srahmn]

the ATS is located at the service and the genset is located 250' away. we would simply be breaking the two wire start contacts in the ATS to prevent the generator from starting during the night. the control circuit is on 12 volts and is generator by the battery on board the generator. just need a battery operated timer switch. with a 24 hour clock and a dry set of contacts to make happen.

 

[gar]

210318-1514 EDT

srahmn:

Build your own based on a Dallas time clock.

Real-Time Clock IC - RTC | Maxim Integrated

Maxim provides a wide variety of low-power, highly accurate Real-Time Clocks including robust MEMS-based RTC IC and small package options to suit any of your solution needs.

www.maximintegrated.com

I have used various Dallas timing components and have had very good results. You will need to add a means to reset the time base. Once a year might be often enough in your application. In standby they consume very little energy. Those with an internal battery are good for about 10 years. If power is applied most of the time, then the internal battery life can be extended some.

.

 

[srahmn]

il check it out

thank you

 

[Barbqranch]

We have a generator, and I just installed a simple toggle switch to interrupt the start signal. That way it doesn't run if we aren't home, either. Just turn it on when needed.
The down side is it also interrupts the weekly exercise, so we have to turn it on for that.

 

[srahmn]

Thanks they want on a timer at night. this is our backup plan.

 

[hbiss]

Unfortunately the generator is 250’ from the house and customer wants the controller at house in case they want to turn on manually. Thought about pulling out feeder and adding conductors.

Ahh, so now the story changes.

The ATS is located at the service and the genset is located 250' away. we would simply be breaking the two wire start contacts in the ATS to prevent the generator from starting during the night.

Use a 12VDC time clock as I suggested and provide it with the 12V from a power supply that has a standby rechargeable battery which is available at any security/fire system supplier like ADI.

Now tell me what's wrong with that...

-Hal

 

[gar]

210318-1914 EDT

srahmn:

Since you were not scared away by my Dallas comment here is a specific chip that I have used in the past. DS1216.

Do an Internet search for Dallas DS1216 and look at its datasheet. It is extremely impressive, and actually works. I first used these in possibly the late 1970s. This device alone won't solve your problem, but can be part of a home made solution.

Also look at the Dallas DS 2250 T. This is a microcomputer plus a time clock with built in battery backup for 10 years.

hbiss's suggestion is good and you do not need an additional battery because it should be possible to use the generator battery, if the clock is at the generator.

 

[ATSman]

Omron is another brand we use to consider for this simple control ap

 

[g-and-h_electric]

Hey guys, while we are all figuring out the time issue we are forgetting one problem that it will create. I was told that it is not good practice to start a generator under load, hence why there is a lag between power out generator start, and power back on. How will the restart be addressed, if the transfer switch is till in emergency position, and the generator loutput breaker is on?

If I am wrong about starting under load, please educate me.... Im old with a lot of old info in the brain.......


Howard

 

[hbiss]

We install home generators.

Well, the OP should be able to tell us about that and how his idea avoids that problem.

-Hal

 

[Russs57]

Yes, it is one thing to inhibit start after sundown and enable it at sunrise. It is quite another matter to shut down generator after sundown and restart it at sunrise when normal power isn't available at either time. Those are the questions I would need to be answered.

 

[zbang]

Y'all are making things complicated-
Get a timer-thermostat! Set the stat as high as it will go and the time-of-day settings to when you want the generator to run; can even use the override to run it later. Runs over a year on one AA cell.