Dad jst bought a new parts washer for the farm shop. It is a R & D Fountain Industries Co PE45 washer. We will be using it a couple times a month. The saleman told dad that we would need to install a timer on the power supply (110v) so that the fluid would circulate for a few minutes every day. This is suppose to make the cleaning fluid last longer. I have seen timers that are used with out door lighting. Could one of thes timers and a bypass switch be used? Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this type of setup?

Thanks

How much current is it gonna draw? Most of the lighting timers available to individuals are only for a resistive load of 100 watts.

A cheapie sump pump might be a good idea, or similar pump.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D8VIKE
This unit is rated at 125-Volt, 15-Amp, 1875-Watt Resistive 125-Volt, 10-Amp, 1250-Watt Tungsten TV-4, 1/3HP

I will have to check tonight on how much current it draws on startup. Most of the timers I have seen are the type that has to be hardwired into a control box. Like the ones used to turn on the floodlights around the flag poles.

Or you could wire in a hot water heater timer. I don't remember them as being expensive and mine is easy to turn to an on position when I really need hot water.

You should be able to find something. We had ones for turning on block heaters. I can't imagine they draw any more than a solvent pump.

Or you could wire in a hot water heater timer. I don't remember them as being expensive and mine is easy to turn to an on position when I really need hot water.

Bingo! Worst case, this could be tied to a contactor to increase current carrying capacity.

You should be able to find something. We had ones for turning on block heaters. I can't imagine they draw any more than a solvent pump.

I think you want to make sure that the contacts will support an inductive load. I believe that a motor's starting demands are not purely resistive.

Heaters and lighting circuits are purely resistive with little to no inductive load. Some lighting circuits will see a short-term current spike, but nothing like most motors. Also, this motor likely starts with full load (most pumps do) and might have a tremendous starting current.

I was looking at the parts washer at my machinist's. It has a five horsepower motor on the pump!

You need a 7 day timer. Intermatic makes lots of different styles, if you go cheap use it to control a 2 pole contactor.

does the unit have an GFCI plug ?? ours does and everytime i plug it into power i have to reset it.. could be an issue

I think you want to make sure that the contacts will support an inductive load. I believe that a motor's starting demands are not purely resistive.

Heaters and lighting circuits are purely resistive with little to no inductive load. Some lighting circuits will see a short-term current spike, but nothing like most motors. Also, this motor likely starts with full load (most pumps do) and might have a tremendous starting current.

I was looking at the parts washer at my machinist's. It has a five horsepower motor on the pump!

Ah, missed the fact that this was for some large washer. Either way, the timer would still work fine, it would just have to control a relay.