Thread: What the hell is going on????

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So,I built a pneumatic gismo and hooked up a IR sensor from a HD motion light but it test mode it just keeps firing over and over.The sensitivity control just makes it vary the delay time,if I move it to the one minute spot it fires and stays there for a minute then releases back and ready to fire all over again.Thats not the control I was looking for,any ideas on how to control it so it fires quick,stays for a second or two then resets for the next victim?Its my first attempt at pneumatics and controls so be kind all you experts.lol

Do you know anything about relays??
If yes, then I suggest you invest in delay on delay off relays, these allow you to adjust the time the relays stay on and the time before they'll re-fire, add these to your IR sensor, and you've got instant control without the continuous refires that the test mode would be giving you. I found mine on ebay last year, 4 for $10 and free shipping.

Have you got any pictures or diagrams of how it is assembled and wired ?

Not at this time, I'll dig around and see if I can find some, but here's an ebay add of one that is similar to the ones that I use:
MacromaticTime Ranger Time Delay Relay SS65128 Progambl - eBay (item 350217034712 end time Jun-30-09 00:54:50 PDT)

This one is the exact type I use, although I didn't pay this price:
NCC Timer Time Delay Relay CKK-00005-421 - eBay (item 350054681169 end time Jul-23-09 12:05:50 PDT)

thanks everyone,ill try that.not much of a brainiac when it comes to that stuff.

if i use the Macromatic one it runs off of 24vac,i need a transformer to step down the 110v voltage the pneumatic switch runs off of to run the relay,correct.

Originally Posted by mickkell

if i use the Macromatic one it runs off of 24vac,i need a transformer to step down the 110v voltage the pneumatic switch runs off of to run the relay,correct.

Yes, either that or a 24v dc power supply

Its always something.

So what you're looking to do is to get a ~2 second "on" time, then shut down for a period of n seconds (during which it can't be re-triggered) and then be ready to fire again, correct? The timer relay that you linked to will keep firing the prop regardless of whether you want it to or not, TOT or no TOT unless you have some way to cut the power to the relay. That's where your PIR comes in. Unfortunately, your sensor doesn't have an "off" time interval - the test mode will fire when it detects a heat source.

So, how's your soldering skills? Here's a PIR sensor for cheap:
Quorum A-160 Passive Infrared Detector-The Electronic Goldmine
I have an easy how-to that will let you change the "off" time intervals to something more useful than 15 secs or 15 mins (the factory pre-sets) such as 30 secs or 60 secs. You can also install a switch that will let you toggle between the two "off" times. I have used these PIRs for a few years and am very happy with the performance. The preset "on" time is 2 secs, but you can make a simple timer (instructions come with the PIR) to extend that time. Let me know if I can help.

I got a Macromatic timer off e-bay like the one previously mentioned above,Ill have to figure out how to wire it into my setup.I have excellent soldering skills,back in the 70s I worked in my Xs TV shop.Still brain dead on electronics though.