12V dusk / dawn timer needed

mike95490 · December 2009

I was hoping the Morningstar 15A MPPT might have a load terminal with dusk-dawn capability. It does not.

So, I have to find a dusk-dawn 12V controller that will manage about 3 watts of LED lights that need to be on nightly. I'd like to not have a controller that burns 10 watts to do this !! Any ideas? (solar power IR security light not the right option)

What do landscape lights use - plug in timers ?

Cariboocoot · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

Maybe a 12V irrigation timer like this:

http://www.brazix.com/timer/BRX1224PTS1.asp

Power consumption seems pretty high for a digital timer if it's really 15A! But maybe there's something like this with better specs.

(Not a recommendation or endorsement of either the product or seller.)

niel · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

some morningstar controllers have timers and i believe xantrex has one as well, but as you know not in an mppt version.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-light
naws does carry the sunlights, but i forgot the model for xantrex.

vcallaway · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

I just bought a Xantrex C12 from our sponsors for just that purpose.

You can set it for turn on at dusk for set time or dusk to dawn.

niel · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

yes, that's the one i was thinking of and i was looking for it when you chimed in with it.

icarus · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

I thinks many of the Bluesky controllers will act as a dawn to dusk lighting controller:http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/products/details/solar_boost_2512i/

Tony

mike95490 · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

I may have found a kit here. Full of parts, seems pretty complex, but reportedly, low consumption. http://www.cirkits.com/das1/ & http://solorb.com/elect/solarcirc/das1/ schematic.

I'm powering a couple of LED signage lights, leds mounted on a substrate, with a driver IC. 6 year life if 24/7, 12years night only. They have a sale on the lights, but the shipping/handling is a killer - $16
http://axiompowercorp.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=88 $2ea
shipped from Las Vegas, NV

Solar Guppy · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

http://www.hobbytron.com/CE-CK1003.html

System2 · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/lights.htm#12%20volt%20DC%20NIGHT%20WATCHMAN%20PHOTOSWITCH]

This dusk to dawn controller is outdoor rated and can withstand salty marine air environments.

It can handle up to 10 amps of 12v DC current with a momentary 600 watt surge. In standby mode, it consumes only 0.15 milliamps and 16 milliamps when powering a load.

It will turn incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lights ON in the evening within one half hour of sunset and OFF in the morning within one half hour of sunrise.

mike95490 · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

Jespercd wrote: »

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/lights.htm#12%20volt%20DC%20NIGHT%20WATCHMAN%20PHOTOSWITCH]

This dusk to dawn controller is outdoor rated and can withstand salty marine air environments.

It can handle up to 10 amps of 12v DC current with a momentary 600 watt surge. In standby mode, it consumes only 0.15 milliamps and 16 milliamps when powering a load.

It will turn incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lights ON in the evening within one half hour of sunset and OFF in the morning within one half hour of sunrise.

Ah Ha ! This looks like the ticket for $40. I hope it's solid state, and not a relay, I don't know if my LED's will draw enough to keep relay contacts active. (contacts usually require some amps to provide a "oxide punch thru" unless you have a "dry contact relay")

I'll keep you posted - install likely in late Dec.

Dave Angelini · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

How about an Intermatic timer. Uses no external power (internal camera battery)
It can switch 240VAC and up to 28VDC. Lots of solar applications and it was redesigned from the ill conceived spawn that it came from. Amazon has them near $30.

http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-ST01AC-Astronomic-Feature-Almond/dp/B000XOH2F4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1259939104&sr=8-1

PS I have 2 that have been good for 2 years on the original battery outdoors in a weather box. This product was pretty bad before and I "think" they fixed it!

mike95490 · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

hmmm, I wonder if the Intermatic DT620CL 15 Amp Indoor Astronomic Digital Timer is the same thing, only in a tabletop package. or is it the old style spawn?
2 watch batteries L44 good for 3 months - Spawn.

your wall mount timer Intermatic ST01AC takes CS2 battery, which is longer life, but the timer appears to "click" which indicates a relay. Maybe it is worth looking at.

Dave Angelini · December 2009

Re: 12V dusk / dawn timer needed

Yes a relay in the sun timer St01C. Pretty hard not to at 31VDC and 240AC! It was flight tested, sort of.....

12V dusk / dawn timer needed

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