Hey guys I am need of a little help as I've already blown a transformer and I can't afford to break anything else lol. I'm not very good at understanding voltage conversions once they need multiple conversions.



I need to setup my digital ct-1 timer to work with my high pressure aeroponics pump (Aquatec 8800 booster). However the digital ct-1 timer https://www.ebay.com/itm/Innovative-Grower-Digital-Short-Cycle-Timer-CT-1-/252249832645 is 120Volts/ 15amps/60Hz and as I am based in Australia we use 240Volts/50Hz.



The Aquatec pump https://www.truwater.com.au/filter-plumbing-parts/pumps-booster-pumps/aquatec-cdp-8800-reverse-osmosis-pressure-booster-pump-220v?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq7-Y6Pa31wIVBiUrCh18awWrEAQYAiABEgKlU_D_BwE& has a transformer that I purchased https://www.truwater.com.au/filter-parts-accessories/pumps-booster-pumps/aquatec-replacement-transformer-ballast-220-240v?cPath=& converting the voltage from the pump to 240v so it will worked in Australian power outlets. I learned the hard way, bought an adapter and plugged the pump in, it ran for 15 seconds and the transformer exploded, I heard a bang and it ran no more.



Now I am able to use my pump as I have the correct transformer. However I do need to run the timer and the timer is 120v. What would be the best way to do this?


So it works something like this:


Aquatec Pump (115v/60hz) >> Aquatec Transformer (240v/50hz) >> 240v Wall Plug


However I need to put my digital ct-1 timer before the 240v Wall Plug & the ct-1 timer is 120v/60hz so I am not sure what to do. I need it to run like this for example:


Aquatec Pump (115v/60hz) >> Aquatec Transformer (240v/50hz) >> Digital CT-1 Timer (120v/50z) >> 240v Wall Plug

Here's some pics of my timer and pump

 

The timer will use a Transformerless psu inside, which is just a Series dropper capacitor and zener diode with a bridge rectifier, all that it needs is to alter the capacitor value to drop the extra 120 volts,

Most 230V transformerless psus use 330-440nF @420V X rated capacitors.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE CIRCUITS ARE LIVE AND LEATHAL!!


https://circuitdigest.com/electronic-circuits/transformerless-power-supply

 

Thanks for the reply much appreciate your time. So you're saying that the timer will be OK to plug in to an adaptor. For example I will run the pump to the transformer that came with it which will convert the 120v pump to 240v. Then I can plug the Aus power plug into an adaptor that will allow me to plugin to the 120v CT-1 timer. Then I connect another adaptor from the outlet of the timer which allows me to plugin to the 240v Aus power outlet.

 

Your timer should work on 230V, the only drawback will be the current /voltage rating of the relay contacts inside the timer, for 120v they are usually higher current ratings..

 

Hey Dave thanks for the help. This is the timer it says that it's 120v http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...tegory=178985&pm=1&ds=0&t=1457485156000&ver=0
I am worried that if I run my pump/transformer through the timer it will destroy the transformer again. I've been reading a bit now. I'm thinking that to get this working right I would need to run it like this. Pump 120v<>transformer 240v<>step down transformer from 240v to 120v<>CT1 timer 120v<>step up transformer 120v to 240v<> 240v Aus power outlet.

 

You only need one transformer, plug the timer into the 230V mains, and plug your transformer into the timer output, this will drop the voltage for your pump to 120V, the timer should be ok on 230V, .

If you can take the back off the timer and take pictures of the circuit board both sides, the only difference between 120/230V AC supply is the capacitor to drop the voltage, I've done this several times before..

 

I can't plug the timer directly into the wall outlet so I have a travel adaptor thing that lets me plug the USA style plug to Aus outlet. I'm worried that using the timer in between my pump transformer will convert the volts back to 120 and blow the transfer as I blew my previous pump transformer as it was USA outlet and I didn't convert the voltage I used a travel adaptor thing that doesn't step down the voltage. Can't afford to have another screw up man this project is costing me way to much than it should lol. Thanks for the help Dave.

 

According to the Aquatec pump link, the title is "Aquatec CDP-8800 Reverse Osmosis Pressure Booster Pump 220v " but the pump's description says "The CDP-8800 Series pumps operate safely with low energy (24 watts), low voltage (12-24VAC) motors."
Theses figures seem contradictory!

As I understand it, both 120V and 240V outlets are available in US domestic supplies.

 

Why not just get another timer in Oz?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/excalibur-7-day-mini-digital-timer_p7050121
There are lots available and not very expensive either. This is just one example.
Then plug your 240V to 24V transformer into the new timer and the transformer 24V out to the 24V pump.

When in 110V countries, use the other timer and a 110V to 24V transformer.
That will avoid your confusion.

 

I would get another timer however I can't find a timer that will allow me to do the programming I need. Every 5 minutes I want to run the pump for 30 seconds.

 

If your pump is to run continuously for 5mins off, 30 secs on, a small dedicated timer could easily be made with an Arduino or PIC.
Do you have anyone near you who could build something like that or mod the timer you have to make it run on 240V?
The other option is to get a 240V to 110V transformer and run everything on 110V .
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1000W-2...erter-AU-US-/282101947980?_trksid=p5731.m3795
But that would need you the get a replacement 110V to 24V transformer for the pump as well.
Where in Oz are you located? I'm 2 hours north of Melbourne.

There are a lot of things like this..
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DC-5V-1...hash=item4d51b59435:m:m_-t9QFnKOVMCw6aA9pYHHg

 

Hi Dendad

I'm 2 hours north of Melbourne to lol I'm in Yarrawonga.

Thanks for the reply. I ran the timer using the travel adaptor I have. Seemed to work fine even though it is 110v. I think this timer has a transformerless psu as Dave said and it has multiple power supplies for example a backup battery built in. I should be receiving my new transformer anyday now so I guess I will plug it all in with the various adaptors and hope it all works together.

 

Hi Dendad

I'm 2 hours north of Melbourne to lol I'm in Yarrawonga.

Thanks for the reply. I ran the timer using the travel adaptor I have. Seemed to work fine even though it is 110v. I think this timer has a transformerless psu as Dave said and it has multiple power supplies for example a backup battery built in. I should be receiving my new transformer anyday now so I guess I will plug it all in with the various adaptors and hope it all works together.

I'm Shepparton.
If you get stuck, give me a call. Look on my profile for info

 

Nice man I figured either Shep or Benalla. If I can't get this working properly I'll pay you to build me something to get it working as it's essential that I use this timer it gives me full control to the second for watering applications.

 

No one has really mentioned, and I'm surprised, have the timer operate a relay/contactor with a 120 v 50 Hz coil.

You;ll need a separate 240/120 Volt transformer to run the timer.

With your 240/24VAC transformer, you have the ability to run the pump.

Your relay contacts can either switch the low voltage to the motor or the high voltage from the mains on the 240/24 VAC transformer. It's up to you and what you can get.

I'd be surprised if the timer draws 10 W. That 240/120 transformer could be something like 40 W to run the timer and a relay.

50 Hz stuff usually works on 60 Hz systems, but sometimes not the other way around. Motors run at different speeds. Sometimes stuff gets hot. Hair clippers may not work at all.