Howdy, its total amatuer hour here.
I am trying to design some circuits to basically control a 80w fluorescent lamp. Wow, sounds easy, but not for me. The kicker is that the lamp is a very strong UVC lamp, so I have to ensure the door is closed on the enclosing box in order for the lamp to turn on (an important safety thing). The whole thing is supposed to be an UVGI chamber more or less used to sterilize household items like tv remotes, cutting boards... Since I am going to make 2 of them, one for my sister and one for me, I'd like the circuit to be designed safely and not have anything overloaded. I have plastic boxes with UVC aquarium lights that I have been using to sterilize stuff occasionally, but they make ozone and the whole design is relatively dangerous, not exactly a good gift idea unless you want to blind or mame someone. I've used them for a couple of years, they work. This project is meant to make a real sterilization chamber, one that is safe for the operator.
So here is the general idea that I am trying to accomplish (see attached pictures of the circuit and the box that will house the light/electronics):
There is an overall on/off switch (DC). If that switch is turned on, then a 1) couple of DC fans start running, and 2) a normally open reed switch is energized (rated at 1A switching current). Ok, if the door is closed then the reed switch is closed and 12Vdc passes on to a momentary switch and a countdown timer relay. So, the power switch is on (it lights up), the fans start, the momentary switch is illuminated, and the countdown timer is powered on but not counting down (it's waiting for a trigger signal). So if they hit the momentary switch, the countdown timer starts counting down on its display which then 1) energizes a furnace relay's coil which powers on the fluorescent lamp, 2) lights up a cute led that looks like an automotive highbeams facing down.
I'm a software guy, not a EE, and it's been about 35 years since undergrad courses touched on electronics. Any and all feedback would be much appreciated! I just don't want to burn down my sister's house (if you see smoke coming from Denver, then my circuits probably did not work so good).
Thanks, I can't believe how hard it is to study, learn, and order parts for such a relatively simple electronics project (search for a diode on Mouser, they have like 5,000 of them to choose from. Electronics seems to be something that takes a lifetime of knowledge to be able to wip together circuits and procure the parts (without starting a fire, I can do that).
I am trying to design some circuits to basically control a 80w fluorescent lamp. Wow, sounds easy, but not for me. The kicker is that the lamp is a very strong UVC lamp, so I have to ensure the door is closed on the enclosing box in order for the lamp to turn on (an important safety thing). The whole thing is supposed to be an UVGI chamber more or less used to sterilize household items like tv remotes, cutting boards... Since I am going to make 2 of them, one for my sister and one for me, I'd like the circuit to be designed safely and not have anything overloaded. I have plastic boxes with UVC aquarium lights that I have been using to sterilize stuff occasionally, but they make ozone and the whole design is relatively dangerous, not exactly a good gift idea unless you want to blind or mame someone. I've used them for a couple of years, they work. This project is meant to make a real sterilization chamber, one that is safe for the operator.
So here is the general idea that I am trying to accomplish (see attached pictures of the circuit and the box that will house the light/electronics):
There is an overall on/off switch (DC). If that switch is turned on, then a 1) couple of DC fans start running, and 2) a normally open reed switch is energized (rated at 1A switching current). Ok, if the door is closed then the reed switch is closed and 12Vdc passes on to a momentary switch and a countdown timer relay. So, the power switch is on (it lights up), the fans start, the momentary switch is illuminated, and the countdown timer is powered on but not counting down (it's waiting for a trigger signal). So if they hit the momentary switch, the countdown timer starts counting down on its display which then 1) energizes a furnace relay's coil which powers on the fluorescent lamp, 2) lights up a cute led that looks like an automotive highbeams facing down.
I'm a software guy, not a EE, and it's been about 35 years since undergrad courses touched on electronics. Any and all feedback would be much appreciated! I just don't want to burn down my sister's house (if you see smoke coming from Denver, then my circuits probably did not work so good).
Thanks, I can't believe how hard it is to study, learn, and order parts for such a relatively simple electronics project (search for a diode on Mouser, they have like 5,000 of them to choose from. Electronics seems to be something that takes a lifetime of knowledge to be able to wip together circuits and procure the parts (without starting a fire, I can do that).
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