Magnetic Stirrer as Generic Output

[kl3377]

I received my Magnetic Stirrer today and I want to set it up to run for 5 minutes every hour. It is currently plugged in to one of my Wifi Power Strip Outlets. I started to set it up as a Generic Output with Input Count as Zero (0). I turned Has Schedule on but I am confused by the Advanced Settings, which I need to use and which can be left at Zero or no time.

 

[Danny]

Ok I got a screen shot of what I think you are trying to do. I concentrated on advanced settings on screenshot. Start time is set to 00:00:00. Runtime set for 00:05:00. Run count set to 24. And interval set to 01:00:00. Set that up and test it to see if if does what you want.

 

[kl3377]

Will a Run Count of 24 only turn on 24 times. Should it be a Run Count of 0 so it never stops every hour cycle?
I did a start time of 22:00:00 so it would start at 10 pm tonight so I could check it.

 

[kl3377]

It did turn on at 10 pm and shut off at 10:07 (I did 7 mins). Not sure if I will make it until 11 to see if it turns back on.

 

[Danny]

Only problem with starting it after midnight is it won't go past midnight on the repeats so it won't start again until 10pm the way you have it set. That is why I started it at midnight in the screenshot. It will still calculate form the start time if you program it after the start time and it will continue where it would be at the current time. The reason for the run count of 24 is you want it to run every hour in the 24hr period starting at midnight.

 

[kl3377]

I ended up changing to midnight after it worked at 11pm. I went to every 30 mins for 2 1/2 mins run time. Because of this I switched the run count to 48 (the max). How would you handle Run Count if you were to go every 15 mins (4 times per Hour)? Or would you have to find another way?

 

[Danny]

I would use two outputs as timers only and split the times between them. Then I would use a combiner type output and use the two timer outputs as inputs on the combiner. Below is a screenshot of an output I use as just a timer. Notice there is no output device assigned but you can still use this output as a input in the combiner output.



The output below uses the timer output above as an input. The output above is RODI Timer. I also use another output for the other input it is also a combiner input. The reason for doing this is I use the RO for my icemaker and the timer runs the RODI unit for 10 minutes every hour. I also use the DI to automatically refill my DI storage tank and Mix tank. The Hydros controls the water into the RODI and the fill to either tank with solenoids hooked to the drive ports. So these controllers can do some very complex task with the use of what we call virtual outputs that are created for internal control only. Also notice the combiner can be used in either the AND or OR mode. In the case of your timer question you would use the OR mode since you would want either input to activate the output. Hope this helps explain the use if this type of output. Let me know if there are any questions.