Hi All,
I've been browsing the forum for two nights reading past projects but haven't found one that is exactly what I am trying to do. I am a nood with electronics and circuits.

I am trying to add some 12v lighting to my truck camper shell. These will be LED strip lighting mounted to the ceiling of the camper shell. I'd love to have a switch that is mounted on the inside of the camper shell that when I open the flip up door, it is accessible. That switch I would love to have turn on the lights and have those lights remain on for a predetermined amount of time--let's say 5 minutes, before they shut off automatically. Ideally, this would happen via some sort of delay power kill relay which would be reset by simply toggling the switch again. I have also thought about and tried to find a traditional spring wound 12v timer switch (to no avail). I have also thought about instead using a PIR sensor. My preference would be a standard rocker style switch with a time delay shut off.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on a product that might fit my needs? Any wiring advice would be helpful as well.

Thanks in advance.

 

hi tr,
I would consider a ready-made PIR module with a built-in 12V relay.
Mount it inside the flip door and set the PIR module for approx 5 minutes.
E
Ref this link is one option.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uadme-Pyroelectric-Infrared-Sensing-TAD‑758/dp/B0CSYVFTWM/ref=sr_1_11?crid=WOB92H7GL2SC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6BUMX473N65JkAVx23Il5RPofRfvM5lnvbDcQX0aL0TPmRMOrtMfKr8KFeGwgBRmqsw7XSiwpIhLQsrDQvYHRLVAXrUrVKWicFv21LY6xrPPYjWw3SaQMwBJ21xHik3t8D1cLNYUU01qkoDVAZamVZLuhzJBCCubEzq0U9Xxnq3bSvYCqw6nCEgnB4peLHVp9-OUsql59Nz1WUYrsyOaygNYYe9fbmLG9ABQWDqs9ODGxYj3V_sPk8X1-hqjsRabq0bgOs64FvpSFvyDWdzU_v-Gz6nSD8her1CEAOHLJhY.iMXOZ1fw91LE0rRgImZmQ_5eO20BwxL0hR6SLaMUWCQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=PIR+module+with+relay&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733992359&sprefix=pir+module+with+relay,aps,150&sr=8-11

 

5 minutes is quite a long time. Up to a minute could be done with a 555 monostable which, when triggered, would turn on the light with a relay

For 5 minutes or longer I’d consider a processor. An Arduino type like an ATtiny85 is small, easy to program and has enough input/output pins for this application. Google to find the bare IC but recommend the ready built module which has an onboard voltage regulator and the edge of the PCB is fashioned so that it plugs into the USB port of your computer.

Some will argue that the learning curve is laborious but as a newcomer I think you will find it worth the effort. Once you are familiar with this, there are so many other things you can do

 

hi tr,
I would consider a ready-made PIR module with a built-in 12V relay.
Mount it inside the flip door and set the PIR module for approx 5 minutes.
E
Ref this link is one option.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uadme-Pyroelectric-Infrared-Sensing-TAD‑758/dp/B0CSYVFTWM/ref=sr_1_11?crid=WOB92H7GL2SC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6BUMX473N65JkAVx23Il5RPofRfvM5lnvbDcQX0aL0TPmRMOrtMfKr8KFeGwgBRmqsw7XSiwpIhLQsrDQvYHRLVAXrUrVKWicFv21LY6xrPPYjWw3SaQMwBJ21xHik3t8D1cLNYUU01qkoDVAZamVZLuhzJBCCubEzq0U9Xxnq3bSvYCqw6nCEgnB4peLHVp9-OUsql59Nz1WUYrsyOaygNYYe9fbmLG9ABQWDqs9ODGxYj3V_sPk8X1-hqjsRabq0bgOs64FvpSFvyDWdzU_v-Gz6nSD8her1CEAOHLJhY.iMXOZ1fw91LE0rRgImZmQ_5eO20BwxL0hR6SLaMUWCQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=PIR+module+with+relay&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733992359&sprefix=pir+module+with+relay,aps,150&sr=8-11

Thank you for the advice and information. The PIR is my backup plan if I can't figure out the delayed turn off timer.

 

5 minutes is quite a long time. Up to a minute could be done with a 555 monostable which, when triggered, would turn on the light with a relay

For 5 minutes or longer I’d consider a processor. An Arduino type like an ATtiny85 is small, easy to program and has enough input/output pins for this application. Google to find the bare IC but recommend the ready built module which has an onboard voltage regulator and the edge of the PCB is fashioned so that it plugs into the USB port of your computer.

Some will argue that the learning curve is laborious but as a newcomer I think you will find it worth the effort. Once you are familiar with this, there are so many other things you can do

Thank you Jerry.

I found the below product earlier today and am considering trying it with a trigger switch:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083HN673G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A1YGHK4VRDPUC4&psc=1

 

One like this should also work.

 

Just like Cruts has shown, there is almost always a pre-made Chinese module to do what you want to do.

However, if you would still like to roll your own, I encourage you to look at the CD4541.
It is an extremely versatile timer which does long period timing far, and I mean far better than a 555.
For the simple reason that it has a selectable 8, 10, 13, and 16 bit counter and an integrated oscillator. This means that the oscillator can run at a significantly higher frequency, making the timing components smaller and available in better precision.
Some of you may mention the CD4060. This can also be used, the CD4541 has several advantages when you compare them.