Dawn to Dusk Control

[FionaZuppa]

Ok, having a hard time finding this.
I need photo cell Dawn to Dusk plug-in for outdoor to run fountain(s) pump during daytime only. Only need one recept for pump plug, etc.
Anyone know of make/model that does day-on night-off? Don't need any more control than that.

 

[hbiss]

Time clock.

Or a normal photo control with a contactor then use the NC contacts on the contactor. They will be closed when the photocontrol is off.

-Hal

 

[FionaZuppa]

Time clock is too complicated, they often lose settings, and do not really follow dawn-to-dusk hours closely, and then there's the ST and DT time change.
I am looking for a basic control, $30 tops.

If I can't find a simple control I will make it.

 

[SSDriver]

I'm a huge fan of the GPS light lock. They use a a GPS signal (Free with no subscription). You don't have to do anything, no programming, buttons or nothing. Just hook up power. It finds where you are and will turn on dawn to dusk based on satellite location, The nice thing about them they are not prone to having issues if there are other lights in the area that would turn a regular photocell on/off. I have only used the standard unit that looks like a photo cell. They sell a model that is plug in (pre-wired with enclosure, in-use cover etc). Made in USA too.

Store GPS Timers

GPS Timers The Most Reliable And Accurate Electrical Timers On Planet Earth Guaranteed! GPS LightLock GPS Solar Timers GPS Timers Astronomical Timers

www.gpslightlock.com

 

[Little Bill]

I'm a huge fan of the GPS light lock. They use a a GPS signal (Free with no subscription). You don't have to do anything, no programming, buttons or nothing. Just hook up power. It finds where you are and will turn on dawn to dusk based on satellite location, The nice thing about them they are not prone to having issues if there are other lights in the area that would turn a regular photocell on/off. I have only used the standard unit that looks like a photo cell. They sell a model that is plug in (pre-wired with enclosure, in-use cover etc). Made in USA too.

Store GPS Timers

GPS Timers The Most Reliable And Accurate Electrical Timers On Planet Earth Guaranteed! GPS LightLock GPS Solar Timers GPS Timers Astronomical Timers

www.gpslightlock.com

View attachment 2556885

The owner of the Co is a member here to boot!

 

[wwhitney]

The usual application is "dusk to dawn" for lights, while the OP is asking for "dawn to dusk" for a daytime only load. The GPS Light Lock spec sheet says "Custom builds, configurations and programming are available by calling toll-free (833) GPS-TIME (833 477-8463)." Would that be field programming, or require ordering a custom unit programmed at the factory?

For the OP, seems like a normal "dusk to dawn" photocell plus a relay to reverse the logic would work.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Buck Parrish]

Ok, having a hard time finding this.
I need photo cell Dawn to Dusk plug-in for outdoor to run fountain(s) pump during daytime only. Only need one recept for pump plug, etc.
Anyone know of make/model that does day-on night-off? Don't need any more control than that.

I have several on my fountains and bird baths . I use a contactor like Hal described They work excellent. In fact I should mass produce them.
For any body wondering why you need this. The pump motors last twice as long if you turn it off at night. Also the water only splashes out when the motor is running.

 

[mopowr steve]

Time clock is too complicated, they often lose settings, and do not really follow dawn-to-dusk hours closely, and then there's the ST and DT time change.
I am looking for a basic control, $30 tops.

If I can't find a simple control I will make it.

I’ve been using Honeywell astronomic wall timers for a while. They have automatic self adjusting dusk-dawn timing or programmed times with daylight savings time when needed and no batteries needed, and seem to keep time for a descent time of lost power.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I have several on my fountains and bird baths . I use a contactor like Hal described They work excellent. In fact I should mass produce them.
For any body wondering why you need this. The pump motors last twice as long if you turn it off at night. Also the water only splashes out when the motor is running.

Great point!
The only downside of that is if you have an overflow drain on your pond and you also have a river that handles a lot of water.
When the pump is off all the water in the rive and hose dump back into the pond. you may have to replenish the water every morning if it over flows.
Of course this all depends on how the water feature is designed.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Great point!
The only downside of that is if you have an overflow drain on your pond and you also have a river that handles a lot of water.
When the pump is off all the water in the rive and hose dump back into the pond. you may have to replenish the water every morning if it over flows.
Of course this all depends on how the water feature is designed.

Yep, I've got one of my pumps half way out on my boat dock. I just leave it hanging from the cord to keep it off the bottom. I have it pumping to an artificial creek that I made. The creek has been there so long it looks like it's natural. It has moss on the rocks, little water falls, ferns that come back every year.
When I first made it, the rocks I put there already had moss on them. So I watered my rocks.
My wife said I'm the only one that waters rocks. She sure likes it now though.

 

[Todd0x1]

I'm a huge fan of the GPS light lock. They use a a GPS signal (Free with no subscription). You don't have to do anything, no programming, buttons or nothing. Just hook up power. It finds where you are and will turn on dawn to dusk based on satellite location, The nice thing about them they are not prone to having issues if there are other lights in the area that would turn a regular photocell on/off. I have only used the standard unit that looks like a photo cell. They sell a model that is plug in (pre-wired with enclosure, in-use cover etc). Made in USA too.

Store GPS Timers

GPS Timers The Most Reliable And Accurate Electrical Timers On Planet Earth Guaranteed! GPS LightLock GPS Solar Timers GPS Timers Astronomical Timers

www.gpslightlock.com

View attachment 2556885

That thing is cool! one of those "why didn't I think of that" items....

 

[FionaZuppa]

good info. Thanks.

 

[ptonsparky]

That thing is cool! one of those "why didn't I think of that" items....

I believe it was one of our members that did.

 

[GoldDigger]

I believe it was one of our members that did.

Seems like it took a year or two to catch on once it was marketed.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe it was one of our members that did.

I don't know who it is on this site but at the other place he is Mikefl

 

[sii]

It’s mgookin. Looks like he hasn’t posted in a couple years. I helped him convert some cad files back in the day.

 

[a.bisnath]

Another option I have used is what is called
'smart timers', they have a battery back up in the unit so they do not lose the time if there is a power outage, found them on Amazon