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  #1  
Old 23rd December 2017, 06:42 PM
RonMontad RonMontad is offline
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Default Smart Plug as a timer?

Smart plugs are readily available for about 10 bucks. I am referring to a gadget that plugs into a 120v outlet and can be used to turn lights, fans, appliances, christmas lights, etc. on and off using an app on your phone to set up a schedule.

Question: Has anyone been able to use one of these as an enlarger timer? If so, what brand or app would you recommend?
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Old 24th December 2017, 10:44 AM
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MartyNL MartyNL is offline
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Sorry Ron, I'm very doubtful if they will work in the way you're intending as most darkroom exposures are in seconds.

Another concern would be the regularity of switching on and off again something they weren't designed to be used for.

Darkroom timers are readily available and in all price brackets. Just bear in mind the voltage and wattage.
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Old 24th December 2017, 03:20 PM
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Sorry, can't help - a quick look on the google store did not find any of the apps with a seconds timer (but that does not mean one does not exist). You also have the issue of the phone's backlight to deal with. I just use a metronome and a piece of black card to block the light as required as I'm probably going to dodge/burn the edges and/or sky anyway. Sometimes technology just gets in the way.
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Old 24th December 2017, 04:03 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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I can't see how it could work as an enlarger timer, remember that timing for printing would be down to seconds and I would think that using one of these would be quite a hassle, better to get a proper enlarger timer, made for the job and these days a basic timer is fairly cheap,
Richard
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Old 27th December 2017, 08:49 PM
RonMontad RonMontad is offline
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Default Figured it out

Thank you all for your comments. I purchased a $16 SmartPlug on Amazon and have been tinkering with it.
I finally got it to control my enlarger perfectly and with 0.5 second increments.

This is the smart plug:
https://www.amazon.com/URANT-Require.../dp/B01L6XIVUA

Don't use the App that comes with it. Instead use this App:
http://www.ibroadlink.com/app/

How to set up the timer:
1. Once the SmartPlug is connected to your WiFi system, then...
2. Use the App to create a "Scene"
3. You can name the scene anything - so call it, say, "30 sec"
4. Configure the scene so that the SmartPlug starts ON, then switches OFF 30 seconds later. In other words, add the smart plug device to turn on, then add the same device again with a 30 second delay to turn off.
5. So, when you press the "30 sec" scene button, the enlarger turns on for exactly 30 seconds.
6. Edit the scene to change the timing.

You can also add other SmartPlugs - i.e. one for a safelight.

You can create several other scenes with different timing.

Wearing out the SmartPlug?
It's a digitally controlled relay. Cycling it on/off Shouldn't hurt it.

Can it handle the power?
It's rated for 10 amps

Can you use your iPhone in a darkroom?
Yes - in Settings turn on "Color Tint" and you screen will turn red - presumably safe to use in a darkroom.
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Old 28th December 2017, 12:59 AM
RonMontad RonMontad is offline
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...and here is a the timer as it appears on my iPhone. I custom configured this in about 5 minutes.
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  #7  
Old 28th December 2017, 01:13 AM
RonMontad RonMontad is offline
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...and here is a the timer as it appears on my iPhone. I custom configured this in about 5 minutes using the app mentioned above in my previous post.
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Old 28th December 2017, 11:55 PM
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Glad you got it to work. Seems like the app is a little awkward to use in this application - but looks like it would work well if there was a custom timer available specifically for enlargers.
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Old 29th December 2017, 12:52 AM
alexmuir alexmuir is offline
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I think this might be of value if there were no enlarger timers available. There are, however, many of them on the used market ,including several models timing to 0.1sec.
Alex


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