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fall50
New Member
WI
5 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 10:03:03 AM
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Could anyone recommend a timer that would turn on/off a 3/4 HP lake pump.....volt rating 115/230 on a 20amp breaker
Ideally I want to be able turn it on ONLY a few days a week not EVRY DAY for around 60 minutes
I spoke with Intermatic today and they recommended Intermatic Self-Adjusting Wall Switch Timer (ST01C)
http://www.intermatic.com/products/timers/consumer%20indoor%20timers/in-wall%20timers/st01c.aspx
I was pretty sold on this unit until I started reading some reviews on it
Specifically the battery is not charged by line voltage and instead soley by the battery...Thus battery needs to be replaced often..
Could anyone recommend something similar that is reliable. I suppose all the digital timers relative to the old dial ones will be more prone to failing....A dial one would be fine
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Edited by - fall50 on Jul 20 2010 12:18:13 PM |
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speedbump
admin
Riverview
Florida
6244 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 12:05:45 PM
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Your link doesn't work, but if you weren't concerned about it coming on and off every day, a simple pool timer would work great. It's when you start getting one that can be programmed when you get into more difficulty.
You could go with a simple irrigation timer which is all 24 volts but still plugs into house current. You can then get a simple pump start relay or just a relay (contactor) with a 24 volt coil to control the pump.
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snake
Advanced Member
CA
134 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 12:11:04 PM
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I would be less concerned about the battery life, and more about having to mount that wall switch indoors somewhere. The battery is only a backup to save your program when the power goes out, again this switch wasn't designed for this purpose.
I would go to Walmart and buy an irrigation timer and an additional pump start relay. You can program it to come on for a set period of time one day a week, or once every two weeks, use the pump start relay to start the pump.
And it's waterproof, and can be mounted outside.
Snake |
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fall50
New Member
WI
5 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 12:56:09 PM
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I fixed the link......The timer switch indoors is no big deal it will be right next to the panel. This timer is only 40.00 and gives me all the flexibility I would need..Because the line that feeds the pump is on its own circuit...all thats needed is to pull the wire out of the panel run it to the timer and then reconnect the wire into the panel.
Again my only question is the timer I was thinking of using was of a decent quality. The swimming timer I believe doesnt have the functionality in terms of programming I was looking for. Perhaps I'm wrong... My functionality requirements are 3-4 days a week duration of 60-90 minutes at a specific time in the morning.. |
Edited by - fall50 on Jul 20 2010 12:58:04 PM |
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speedbump
admin
Riverview
Florida
6244 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 1:33:49 PM
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I don't like the wall timer. Too small which means it probably won't be friendly to #12 or possibly even 10 gauge wire. Intermatic makes good stuff, but I would be happier with a good sprinkler timer. It would give you far more flexibility and the pump start can handle the inrush current that pump motors pull at start up. The wall timer might not be so forgiving.
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snake
Advanced Member
CA
134 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 5:48:44 PM
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With either the wall switch or the irrigation timer you are going to have a battery backup.
The spec sheet says it will do 2hp at 240 volts, however it will only switch one leg of the 240 unless you use a contactor.
Sounds like you have already sold yourself on the intermatic, which is OK, and if you have a place that sells them locally that would be nice, I think both Speedbump and myself suggested the irrigation timer because it widely used and available from any home and garden supply store, i.e. Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace etc.
Snake |
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snake
Advanced Member
CA
134 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 6:18:07 PM
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I see the problem now, the timer is operated by the battery, the battery is not for backup, plus it is a Lithium CR2 battery, whereas the irrigation timer is 2 AA batteries, and it operates off of the line voltage (I think).
Snake |
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fall50
New Member
WI
5 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 10:32:52 PM
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Snake
I need to call Intermatic back on the battery question.....Other than that it seems like it would considering the pump is 3/4hp and 115/230 volts...I think I have my bases covered that this timer or something similar would work as long as the timer is rated for 3/4 hp and the voltage requirements match |
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snake
Advanced Member
CA
134 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 10:55:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by fall50the pump is 3/4hp and 115/230 volts...
OK what is it... 115 or 230 volt pump, what are you supplying the pump with it's one or the other, not both?
Snake |
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fall50
New Member
WI
5 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 01:49:19 AM
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| 20 amp breaker that feeds the pump so 115 ........the tag on the Goulds pump says 115/230 volt. |
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speedbump
admin
Riverview
Florida
6244 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 08:31:48 AM
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quote:
20 amp breaker that feeds the pump so 115 ........the tag on the Goulds pump says 115/230 volt.
All jet pumps are 115/230 volt. But what voltage are you planning on running it with?
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fall50
New Member
WI
5 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 12:40:30 PM
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Its already setup and when we want to turn on the pump we simply switch the breaker on in the panel...Of course the timer I was hoping to add would solve having to walk downstairs to turn the dam thing on.
Speedbump to answer your question
I believe 115 volt would be running it as it has a 20amp breaker. I guess I always assumed and maybe incorrectly that if your running 240 then you use 30amp breaker... if 120 volt then you have a 20amp breaker. Sorry if I sound ignorant. Again we have 1 breaker that feeds the outlet in which the pump is currently plugged into. This breaker for the line that feeds the pump is 20amp. We switch this breaker to currently to turn on/off the pump.. Thus would prefer the timer |
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speedbump
admin
Riverview
Florida
6244 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 1:05:12 PM
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The size of the breaker is determined by the amp draw of the device. With either voltage. When you go 230, the amperage is cut in half of what the draw would be with 115 volts.
Using a breaker as a switch is a no-no. Ask any electricial. They will shudder at the thought.
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Timer recommendation for lake pump
