Delay box

Question

I need some help building a circuit. This circuit would turn on then off two machines with one button press. I first press the momentary button to trigger the release of the first machine. But 1-10 sec (adjustable) after pushing the button the second machine is triggered to release. I would like to have the opportunity to the plug in more machines to do the same function from that one original button press. Any ideas that can help. Thanks

kmikemoo · Answer

torqued I would lean towards an Arduino for this task - driving a relay board from the IO. The best part of this solution is that all the programming pieces are readily available on the Arduino website or one of the Getting Started books.

Button push (with debounce) sets the output. Next button push starts the release timer, adjustable based on a potentiometer connected to one of the analog inputs. You can choose to release them one after the other or in combinations by minor changes in the code.

Piecing the code together yourself will allow you to customize your delay box any way you want.

Good luck. It sounds cool.

dougw · Answer

A toggle switch and a time delay relay will do this function. The time delay relay can cost about $2.

kmikemoo · Answer

torqued Without the details, it's hard to provide more specific ideas. And... automation comes at a cost. The trigger switch no longer controls the flow of power but is an input to the control system that closes a relay that allows power to flow. You power the Arduino and relay board from the 12V source. The Arduino Nano Every is supposed to be able to take up to 21V Vin - so you wouldn't even need a DC to DC converter.

Now that I read it, dougw's recommendation of Time Delay Dropout/Off relays are also a great solution. Much simpler - which is very good.

Delay box

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