On Sat, 22 May 2004 04:38:34 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

ASCII schematic:

(+ Battery)---(solenoid)-----(master switch)-----(- battery)

Thanks, Aaron.

For us electrical dimwits, can you explain the purpose of this circuit?

Also, why is there a 7-second delay after turning the master switch on?

Here's how it works:

1. The clock is connected to the "hot" side of the master.
2. It works fine with master "off"
3. Turn Master Switch "on" -- works fine for seven seconds.
4. At seven seconds, the clock goes out.
5. Turn Master Switch "off" and the clock comes back on.

What's going on? Why is this circuit set up to do this?


I think this is whats going on Jay,
First, Aaron is right..the master switch is just a ground path for the
master solenoid.
The master solenoid has 12 volts going to it but dosen't work untill
the master switch is ON ..providing a ground path for it.
So with the master OFF, one side of the switch is at 12 volts (the 12
volts going thru the solenoid coil, and the other side is at ground.
Your clock must be hooked up to the hot side of the master switch, and
gets 12 volts thru the solenoid coil.
When you throw the master ON, BOTH sides of the master switch are now
at ground..and the master is now supplying a ground path to the
solenoid coil. Your clock power feed is now at ground and it croaks.
Why the 7 sec. delay?.... I bet you will find if you provide 12v to
the clock thru any source, then kill it..it will last for 7
sec..probably some capacitance built into the clock power circuits.