New Solid State Timer

I recently had an issue with my mechanical timer running backwards and decided to find a solid state timer. The thread detailing the issue is here Haunted timer

I looked at dozens of potential solutions and decided on the GRT8-S1/W240. It is DIN rail mounted so I also ordered a DIN rail equipped with 10 terminal blocks and end plates. The on/off times are infinitely adjustable between .1 seconds to 100 days.

I gutted the Intermatic timer and riveted the rail inside the gutted box. T1 is set to run 52 seconds and T2 is set to be off for 9:59.

Old timer New timer GRT8-S1/W240 (AC/DC - 12-240V) --- $30 on Amazon (ordered two spares on ebay for $15 each)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B91KRZX/ref= ... UTF8&psc=1

Dinkle DIN rail setup ---$12.23 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HU7UUY6/ref= ... UTF8&psc=1

I'll update this thread if I run into any issues with the new setup.

Wiring with DIN components looks sweet. Thats a nice setup for sure.

Qtown1835 wrote: ↑

Mon. Mar. 25, 2019 12:51 pm

Wiring with DIN components looks sweet. Thats a nice setup for sure.

Thanks Q. It's the first time I've used DIN rail. I'll be looking for excuses to use it again. Sure was easy to wire it up.

Nice! i've used to use them at work (well specify them in my drawings/bills of material years ago). they work great!
Good find on the timer.

Your install looks great and thanks for the info on that timer.

I have a timer that crapped out a few years ago for a pump that could use a gut and replacement like you did. It would be nice not to manually switch it on / off every couple days in the summer. Looks like those settings could handle my very large interval just fine.

nepacoal wrote: ↑

Mon. Mar. 25, 2019 1:19 pm

Thanks Q. It's the first time I've used DIN rail. I'll be looking for excuses to use it again. Sure was easy to wire it up.

Yeah DIN is great. In Europe that how entire buildings are wired.

The new solid state timer is working out great. I received the two spares from the manufacturer (Geya) today. It took a few weeks to get here but with them only costing $15 each, it was worth the wait.

Solid state timers are great for keeping motor wear down and for actually lowering your power bill depending on the options on it. All boilers should really be solid state because it allows near infinite amount of adjustment with a small package.

Can they fail on like a mechnical timer?

coaledsweat wrote: ↑

Fri. May. 03, 2019 8:04 am

Can they fail on like a mechnical timer?

I would guess that's possible, but I can guarantee it won't run backwards...

coaledsweat wrote: ↑

Fri. May. 03, 2019 8:04 am

Can they fail "ON" like a mechnical timer?

As a rule no, it is not a solid state relay, but rather a double throw switch/relay...you still have a magnetic coil and hear it click each cycle...no big heat-sink either.
In this application the counting or timer portion is only what is made of solid state.

A solid state relay is a piece of material that when electricity is applied to it will change state ie normally open will close and normally closed will open. However since it's one piece of material you can have small amounts of voltage able to leak through the contacts if my memory serves me correct. That's a true solid state relay. They do make a combination type relay that has mechanical and solid state relays but it's more cost effective to use solid state

Thanks for the write up Nepacoal. I still have the coal fire burning here in eastern Ohio. My Intermatic also quit. It must be an epidemic. I have ordered 2 of the recommended timers from the manufacturer and the DIN connectors. I was not able to find much documentation specific to the timer. Hopefully, adequate documentation will be included with the relays. I am fortunate to have a working vintage Honeywell cycle timer as a backup.

creek44 wrote: ↑

Sun. May. 05, 2019 4:46 pm

Thanks for the write up Nepacoal. I still have the coal fire burning here in eastern Ohio. My Intermatic also quit. It must be an epidemic. I have ordered 2 of the recommended timers from the manufacturer and the DIN connectors. I was not able to find much documentation specific to the timer. Hopefully, adequate documentation will be included with the relays. I am fortunate to have a working vintage Honeywell cycle timer as a backup.

I run year around...

It's pretty straight forward:
A1 - 120v hot leg
A2 - 120v neutral leg
15 - 120v power (or whatever needs switching)
18 - NO contact that gets power from 15 when activated

The DIN rail i purchased had a 10 slot press fit tie rail. I just used side cutters to cut off 2 slot pieces to tie the terminal blocks together for each color wire (3 groups, see little red rectangles in middle of the blocks). For my Keystoker, it was just white to white, black to black, and red to red.

Thanks for the wiring clarifications. I hope that I don’t run out of coal too soon so that I can try out the new timer before next burning season.