In this post we learn how to make a simple IC 555 based alternate relay timer circuit for toggling a couple of loads alternately with a specified length of delay, as determined by the calculated values of the relevant components. The idea was requested by Mr. Sanjoy.
Circuit Objectives and Requirements
- I am a regular reader of your excellent posts. Here I would like to request a circuit design.
- I am trying to build a laboratory paper coating set up for which I am going to employ 2000 watts hair driers for drying of the coated paper.
- The problem is that those driers can't be run continuously.
- Therefore I decided to use two driers alternately for three minutes each. But alternate switching of these driers manually always is tiresome.
- So I request a circuit which will be able to switch on and switch off the the driers alternately and automatically for a preset period of time and continue doing this until switched off.
The Design
Referring to the below shown alternate switching relay circuit, or we can also call it an alternate switching flasher circuit, the idea may be understood with the help of the attached explanation.
The circuit is built around a standard IC 555 astable configuration, which basically produces an alternating high and low or an alternating 12V and zero volt at its pin#3 when switched ON.
This alternately switching output accompanies certain delay between its ON/OFF switching as determined by the component values of R1, R2, and C.
In the proposed design the values of these timing components are suitably calculated to produce an approximately 50% duty cycle, and having a delay length of around 180 seconds or 3 minutes.
With the shown arrangement, only the value of the 470uF capacitor needs to be altered for achieving other preferred time delays across the output pin#3.
The pin#3 can be seen connected with a transistor relay driver stage which responds to the high/low pulses from the pinout and accordingly switches the relay contacts across the N/C and N/O contacts.
Since the two loads are connected across these two contacts of the relay, these are also alternately switched from ON to OFF and vice versa with a delay of 3 minutes between each switching.
The two LEDs connected across the supply pins and the pin#3 of the IC helps to indicate which load may be in the switched ON or OFF position at a given instant.
The above explained alternate switching relay timer circuit can be also implemented for other identical applications and the ON/OFF periods can be independently adjusted for achieving different ON/OFF sequences, by suitably altering the R1/R2 timing components of the astable.
Leo Volz says
I have built a microcurrent therapy unit, powered by a 9-volt battery. Iam stuck on the last task, however. Can you refer me to a circuit (maybe centered around anoth 555 timer, CMOS) that would switch the unit on for five minutes then switcing it off for five minutes before switching it back on another five minutes, repeating etc.?
Swagatam says
You can try the following 4060 based design:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/relay-based-4060-timer.jpg.webp
Make sure to remove the 1N4148 diode link, it is not required. You can adjust P1 and C1 for adjusting the output switching delay.
Perera says
What should i change for more timing delay ( 15minutes on and 5minutes off in loop)
Swagatam says
You will have to experiment by using different resistor values for R1 and R2
B. Nagaraj says
I need a timer which will help me in circulating water on and off for a desired time.
Need your clarifications for the following points.
1. Can I use just one motor (Load) to be operated instead of two in the circuit.
2. If I need to adjust the on and off timing, will it be possible to go for preset replacing fixed resistor.
3. What relay should I opt for if I use a 12 v motor, or 230 V motor.
Swagatam says
Here are the answers:
1) Yes you can connect a single motor either to the N/C or the N/O contacts depending on whether you want the motor to be switched ON when power to the circuit is switched ON, or start with the motor OFF when power is switched ON.
2) Yes that’s possible. You cab replace the R1 with a 1M pot or preset, but make sure to connect a 10K fixed resistor in series with this preset or pot.
3) Relay will depend on the motor current specs, if it is less than 5 amps then you can use the ordinary cube shaped relay having a coil resistance of around 300 to 400 ohms.
Dr Basavaraja N S says
A very informative and useable project. What if more than two devices are to be included in the project? Can this be modified to include variable number of devices working for variable time and at variable intervals?
Swagatam says
Thank you, only two loads can be used in this circuit, for variable time and variable number of loads, you will need to have many IC 555 arranged in a sequential form with variable time adjust
Bo Andersen says
Hello
This is just what i need, i have build it and it works ok with a lite load, like a LED on load A+B, but when i put a pump on (about 0.7 amp), the timing goes fubar, and unequal and drops from 3min to about 1min.
Do you have a idea as to what goes wrong? hope i make sense. Thanks alot for your time.
Bo Andersen
Swagatam says
Hi, Glad you could build it successfully.
The problem could be due to the strong motor transients the IC 555 timing might be getting disturbed.
Please do the following modifications to your IC 555 supply line.
Power the IC 555 positive line through a 50 ohm or 100 ohm series resistor.
Add a 1N4148 diode directly across the pin#8/4 and pin#1 of the IC. Cathode will go the pin#8/4.
Also add a 100uF capacitor parallel with the above diode. Positive of the capacitor will connect with the cathode of the diode.
Additionally increase the value of the pin#5 capacitor to 1uF or higher.
Please do the above and see if that helps to solve the issue?
George Dechambeau says
Would like to toggle between low/hi tone auto horns. Perhaps less than 1/2 second for each on cycle. Would need to eliminate horn output when momentary switch released. Output would control 12vdc relays. Circuit power 12vdc. Is this possible using above design?
Formula calls for Ra to be 0, Rb to be 600 ohms and cap to be 3 micro farads. Seems both relays would be off if momentary switch were released.
Swagatam says
Yes the above circuit will work, you can put the push switch in series with the 12V supply
Adeyemi says
Good day sir, the circuit seems not to have 3secs delay in between on/off, please any way out. Also, please help
Me out for r1, r2 and c for 10 secs on/off with 3secs delay inbetween, I have tried astable calculator but didn’t get it.
Swagatam says
Adeyemi, use R1 = 1k, R2 = 100k, C = 47uF/25V
Kelvin Ng says
Hi Sir,.
I have a question on Switching Two Alternate Loads ON/OFF with IC 555.
Currently I had sequential arrow led installed on a Toyota side mirror.
This sequential arrow led had 3 wire( neutral, pattern 1 , pattern 2 )
Currently it is connected as pattern 1( wire connection is neutral , pattern 1 ) and I wish to use 2 pattern but couldn’t figure out how to do it. Alternating switching relay may work for me but unable to hide inside side mirror housing due to its size .
When indicator is turn on, I wish to light up pattern 1 and than off (off for 0.6sec ), next pattern 2 and than off ( off for 0.6sec), next pattern 1… the cycle repeat until indicator is turn off.
Battery voltage for this circuit is 12VDC and the power source to the circuit will be control by flasher relay( on and off interval is 0.6sec).
Could you help?
Thanks
Swagatam says
Hi Kelvin, you can use an astable circuit such as this
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/how-to-make-any-light-strobe-light/
add the two sets of LEDs across the two collectors of the transistors
Kelvin says
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your replied but that isn’t the Circuit I’m looking for.
I found a link in youtube which could be explain better.
Could you help to covert that white bulky alternating relay into a circuit?
Thanks
Regards
Kelvin
Swagatam says
Kelvin, the video shows a relay flip-flop alternately switching to every single input pulse. You can get the results by employing one of the circuits that explained in the following article
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/build-these-simple-flip-flop-circuits/
gary vanarsdale says
I am looking for an alternating relay that will simply replace a manual 24 volt 3 position toggle switch; load A, off, load B, which operates two irrigation solenoid valves. When my mechanical timer shuts off, there is “no” power to the system, when the mechanical timer comes back on power is restored and i need to switch to the other valve, and so on. All the relays i have found require continous power to work. Can you tell me if i am looking for something no one makes???? I appreciate any input.
Gary
Swagatam says
It may be possible to switch loadA and loadB alternately, but how’s the off position supposed to be switched, i can’t figure it out? Please clarify this!
Jindro says
Hello Sir Good Morning! can i adjust it for 3 seconds each? Tnx Sir
Swagatam says
Hi Jindro, yes that’s possible, you can use the following software to adjust the concerned resistors and capacitor for getting the results:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/ic-555-timer-astable-circuit-calculator
adewale says
Hi sir I really appreciate your concern I love so much for that you rely my message God will bless you and your family, pls I will he in touch if I need some support over circuit thanks.
Swagatam says
You are welcome Adewale, keep up the good work
adebanji adewale says
Thanks sir for your support, but I will let you know if I will need your technical support, from Adewale.
Swagatam says
You are most welcome!
adewale says
hi swagatam I need a circuit that operate timer on interval of 45 mins on/off switch, pls kindly help.
Swagatam says
Hi Adewale, you can try the following circuit
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/how-to-make-simple-versatile-timer/
remove the feedback link, and set the pot to get 45 minute time intervals.
pin#3 can be configured with a relay driver stage
John Boardman says
I need a circuit that will time the duration of an induction heater. The heater run time can be from 1 to 30 seconds, depending upon part size and configuration, at which time it turns off, shutting off the power relay to the heater. It would then trip a second relay with operates a solenoid to remove the part from the heater and reset everything to the initial state. A push button would initiate the heating/part ejection cycle.
Swagatam says
what will be the operating voltage rating for the solenoid?
peeyush love says
which software is good for sumulation???