Note: This devise will not work with an electronic programmable cooker, which needs power to be programmed.

Transcription

1 Delay Start Timer By: Bernard R Smith Jr. Video by: Genevieve Smith My wife wanted a device that would start the crock pot while everyone was out. She quickly learned that no amount of money can buy a programmable slow-cooker (crock pot) that can be set to delay the start. She frequently wants to cook frozen items while she s at work, but the process can t start until a couple hours before she gets off work. Thus, she needed a delayed start. We discussed using existing commercial digital timers but she did not want to have to deal with figuring out the exact start time while also setting a programmable device. A simple spring wound timer that runs and then comes ON was perfect. I found just such a device in the Allied catalog. It can also be found on Amazon. But it needs to be mounted in an easily cleaned and portable, small lightweight box with a standard power cord input and a female receptacle for the output. Now she can prepare the food in the cooker, place it and the timer on the counter, plug the timer into the standard wall outlet and plug the cooker into the timer outlet (this is actually quite intuitive and easier done then typed), set the cooker to the desired cook temperature, then dial the time delay, and leave for work. Note: This devise will not work with an electronic programmable cooker, which needs power to be programmed. Build instructions Delay Start Timer Assembly 1. Gather materials and tools A. Materials: See BOM B. Tools: 1. Screwdriver 2. Wire cutter/stripper/box Knife 3. Pliers 4. Test Lamp 2. Configure Device Box A. Depending on the type box you have, you should follow the manufacturer s instructions to block the openings that you will not be using. Only one opening is needed but you can use two if desired. B. If you use a strain relief device (recommended) install it as required. 3. Measure and Insert wire A. Determine how much of each end of the power cord you want to have and fold the cord at a point which will give the desired amount on each side of the fold. B. Insert the fold through the strain relief device and pull about 7 to 8 inches of cord into the box.

2 C. Tighten the strain relief device to hold the cord. 4. Cut and strip wire A. If needed, use the box knife to strip back the outer cover from the wire inside the box to expose the internal leads. You will need to do this if your power cord has a round outer covering. The cord in the video does not. B. If possible, determine which of the two or three leads in the wire is the hot side. If your cord has a cover this will probably be the black wire of the two or three internal wires. If not it will be the wire going to the narrow side of a polarized plug. If you plug is not polarized, you can use either wire. C. Cut the determined wire at the fold point leaving 7 to 8 inches to work with on each side of the cut. D. Insert the other wires deep inside the box. Nothing more need be done with them. If for some reason you had to cut them, splice each input line to its corresponding output and secure the splice with wire nut(s) before inserting them deep in the box. E. Strip the insulation from about half an inch of each of the cut leads from step C above. 5. Attach wire to Switch. A. There are four places where the wires can be attached to the switch/timer. Only two of these will give the desired performance. Use Line 2 and Load 2. B. Using two of the copper screws that come with the switch, attach the two wire leads to the two terminals. I would start the screws in the switch first and then insert the wires, one at a time, and tighten the screws. It does not matter which wire goes to which terminal as long as the correct two terminals are used. 6. Attach Switch to Device Box A. Using the two silver screws that come with the switch, attach it to the device box. Note that one side of the switch is labeled TOP. This is where the knob pointer will be when the timer times out. Put it where you want it relative to where the wires exit the box. 7. Test A. Plug in the device plug to any wall outlet and plug in your test lamp to the device receptacle. The light should be on. B. Using the knob provided, wind the timer 180 degrees. The light should go out. Unwind the timer and the light should come back on. C. Unplug the device. 8. Install Switch cover plate and knob A. Using the provided retention nut, attach the cover plate to the device. You may have to squeeze the plate down to get the nut started. Make sure that the 12 o clock position on the plate is at the TOP position mentioned in 6. A. above. 9. Test again if desired. Repeat Step 7.

3 Schematic and Photos Plug to 120 VAC Receptacle for Power Source timed device Timer controlled Normally Closed Switch

4 Time Running Off

5 Time Running ON

6 During Assembly