Timer - help!

BJC0000 · Oct 4, 2025

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but nothing more obvious so.....

I bought this timer (pic attached) with a view to controlling my UK mains powered UV light box, but it arrived without any instructions.
Can anyone provide really, really simple step-by-step instructions on:
a) wiring
b) setting up 'programs'?

All I want it to do is, having manually switched on, time for the required interval and switch off.
Preferably with a choice of intervals (just like a count-down timer but without me having to stand and watch it count down).

Yes, there are videos but my Chinese is a bit rusty...
Any help much appreciated

koraks · Oct 4, 2025

BJC0000 said:
pic attached

That didn't make it, I'm afraid.

Chan Tran · Oct 4, 2025

Yes if you can get clear pictures of everything we should be able to figure it out. It wouldn't be hard. Second thought since you said the video is in Chinese then it may be a problem as it a brand new unit. New unit tends to be much more complicated than old timer and if it's just a timer module and not a timer it would be even more complicated.

Rick A · Oct 4, 2025

A basic GraLab or Time-O-Lite timer is sufficient for UV boxes, no need for anything complex.

Chan Tran · Oct 4, 2025

Rick A said:
A basic GraLab or Time-O-Lite timer is sufficient for UV boxes, no need for anything complex.

Those basic timers are kind of expensive today compared to what the OP has I would think.

BJC0000 · Oct 4, 2025

OK try pic again

BJC0000 · Oct 4, 2025

More info:
I did look at enlarger timers but these were either analogue (wary of S.H. analogue timers), needed special plugs and/or wiring, limited to 99secs or far too expensive - or a combination of those .
All I really want is something simple like the timers I've been using (attempt at another picture upload) but with input and output leads and presumably a relay.
Price isn't the overriding factor, within limits, so if anyone can come up with an alternative I'd be happy to consider it.

Chan Tran · Oct 4, 2025

BJC0000 said:
OK try pic again

Check this manual out.

https://elektromodul.rs/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/T2310-manual.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOopQ8J1jgwSeas1U0TVRNnvhpEA7OzWvfFPsqM7lnyspSrKJAas_

If you have more question let us know. They have 3 version. 12VDC, 24VDC and 120/220VAC. I don't know which version you have

koraks · Oct 4, 2025

Chan Tran said:
Check this manual out.

Nice find. It's a typically cryptic manual for devices of this kind; the manuals tend to make sense only after you've figured out how it works...however, the manual should help in guiding experimentation.
I *think* the logic of this thing is that you can program its behavior in terms of a couple of parameters:
* Whether the output is switched ON or OFF at startup (this should be OFF I think)
* Whether the program cycle starts automatically or only after manual input (this should be set to manual)
* Duration of the first ('on') part of the cycle
* Duration of the second ('off') part of the cycle
* Total number of cycles the device will perform; this can (and should in our case) be set to 'infinite'
The tricky bit is the on/off cycles; either one should probably be set to zero.

The good thing is that usually, timers like these save their settings, so once you've set it up properly, all you have to do is set the time for an exposure.

A (significantly) more expensive, but also far more elegant, functional and easy to use alternative is a timer like those made by @Ian Leake with (optional) UV integrator for consistent exposures: https://www.ianleake.com/products/lc6-light-integrator-and-darkroom-timer
I'm sure there are other and possibly much more affordable options that are also easy to use, but I kind of lost touch with what's available on the market when I started to make things like these myself to my own design & specifications (which is a rabbit hole in itself; not necessarily recommended).

Chan Tran · Oct 4, 2025

koraks said:
Nice find. It's a typically cryptic manual for devices of this kind; the manuals tend to make sense only after you've figured out how it works...however, the manual should help in guiding experimentation.
I *think* the logic of this thing is that you can program its behavior in terms of a couple of parameters:
* Whether the output is switched ON or OFF at startup (this should be OFF I think)
* Whether the program cycle starts automatically or only after manual input (this should be set to manual)
* Duration of the first ('on') part of the cycle
* Duration of the second ('off') part of the cycle
* Total number of cycles the device will perform; this can (and should in our case) be set to 'infinite'
The tricky bit is the on/off cycles; either one should probably be set to zero.

The good thing is that usually, timers like these save their settings, so once you've set it up properly, all you have to do is set the time for an exposure.

A (significantly) more expensive, but also far more elegant, functional and easy to use alternative is a timer like those made by @Ian Leake with (optional) UV integrator for consistent exposures: https://www.ianleake.com/products/lc6-light-integrator-and-darkroom-timer
I'm sure there are other and possibly much more affordable options that are also easy to use, but I kind of lost touch with what's available on the market when I started to make things like these myself to my own design & specifications (which is a rabbit hole in itself; not necessarily recommended).

Yes I have enough stuff around the house that I can buld something to do the job just the way I wanted. The cost would be high if I have to buy the components but I don't because as I said I have things around the house I can use to make something like that.

MattKing · Oct 4, 2025

BJC0000 said:
OK try pic again

Generally speaking, if you want to upload photos easily, resize them down to ~1000 pixels on the long dimension, and save them as a jpeg - I use quality 80.
When I looked at that photo I immediately thought: "Wow, the proverbial black box - I've never actually seen one."

reddesert · Oct 4, 2025

FWIW, I wouldn't be scared of second-hand analog enlarger timers. There is not a lot to go wrong with them and if they work now, they will probably continue working. A bigger issue is perhaps the need for longer exposure times than 99 sec; that rules out many simple electronic timers that did 0.1-99 sec, and some simple analog timers that maxed out at 60 sec or so. How about the venerable Gralab 300 timer, the one that looks like a big square black clock? They are kind of expensive new, but there were so many that I see them floating around on the used market inexpensively (in the US anyway). I think they go to 60 minutes. You need a 220v version of course.

BJC0000 · Sunday at 6:07 AM

Thanks for all replies.
Matt; I had thought that as the original jpg was only 600k it would upload. Resizing worked so I'll remember that in future.
Koraks: as ever comprehensive. I looked at the Ian Leake site but that kit costs more than my entire (self-built) set-up. As for building my own - no chance! I have built switches using relays before to start machinery but electronic / timed control? I'm getting older and would like to use the switch before I drop off my perch. Appreciate the confidence ;-)
Chan Tran: useful manual. I have several potted versions so between them I should be able to start setting it up. Never thought it would be so complicated. As it's UK mains voltage I was wary of experimenting too cavarlierly - that stuff can make you eyes water.
Thanks again to everyone - Photrio usually has the answers

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