Here is a diagram and details of a wavemaker that can be built to turn on and off up to 6 pumps. The pumps are all turned on at once, there is no oscilating feature. But that could be very easily achieved by having two of these units. It can be adjusted for pumps on from 1 to 180 seconds, and pumps off from 1 to 180 seconds.
As with any electrical project, make sure you know what you are doing, it can be very dangerous.
The unit is based on a repeat cycle timer, with the parts as follows:
Repeat cycle timer. Suggested units are the Philips ECG RLY4845L Repeat Cycle Timer and Part #7630K16 in the Mcmaster Carr Catalog 103 page 585. This one used the Philips unit. Costs around the US$45 mark.
Outlet powerstrip. The number is dependent on the number of pumps that you want to shut on and off, this one used a 6 outlet strip.
24 hour timer. This is just if you want the cycles to occur for a limited time of the day, not constantly.
To build, cut the cord of the powerstrip roughly in half. (Can also use here addition cord and plug.) Connect the wires attached to the plug to pins #7 and #2. Two jumper wires are required, with one from pin #1 to #2 and the other from pin #7 to pin #8. The ground wire is not attached to any of the pins, and goes straight through the timer unit without being connected to the socket.
The wires connected to the strip are attached to pin #6 and #3. See the picture of the unit below for clarification of this. Plug the finished unit into a 24 hour timer, and set to activate during the appropirate periods.
Wavemaker picture.
Mike uses 12 hours per day for this particular one, and has been using it since 1993 with no problems.
Thanks to
for this design and details. He can be contacted on
">
if you have any questions about its construction, performance etc. Don't contact me about it, all I have done is post the details of this project here for you to access.
Comments
Only registered users can write comments. Please login or register.
