Evolution of a Timer Switch

The 2/9/2016 Problem: Following are the later occurances

• 05/04/2018
• 04/30/2018
• 04/27/2018
• 04/19/2018
• 04/13/2018
• 05/19/2017
• ?/?/2017
• ?/?/2017
• 12/19/2016

11/22/2016 Update:
The same problem as 2/9/2016 happened today.  Since the original posting (on 2/9/2016), I have encountered the problem 4 times in total, while using it once daily. This translates to a failure rate of 1.39%.

• The most annoying part is knowing how to reset the timer, when it happens. Pushing the ON trigger switch followed by the OFF trigger switch does the trick.
• Also, the severity of failure. In my case, more coffee than I need for the day. 
• Though I bought a replacement unit, I decided to delay replacing the current unit.
• The problem with the current unit it does not happen often, and there is little damage when it does happen.
• The new unit may or may not work better.

7/22/2016 Update:
The same problem as 2/9/2016 happened today.

2/29/2016 Update:
The same problem as 2/9/2016 happened again. It it is more often than once in a blue moon (actually twice over the past month, though not blue moon).

Some analysis is needed to pinpoint the failure of the solution. It could be the timer, or the red start switch being sticky (refer to the timing chart). If the red start switch is sticky, wouldn't the reset button stop it anyway? To test that theory out, I pushed and held the red switch, and then pressed the reset switch -- it buzzed (may be angrily). Since I didn't remember the buzzing sound, so the start switch was fine. But I could have missed the sound with the grinder going, or due to the attempts to stop it. By the way, I used a lamp for the test, and knew that the reset would NOT work if the start switch is pushed down. So the test is inconclusive.

At this point, I couldn't think of a way to rule out either the time or the switch. Given that fact that the switch is much simpler component, the chance of the timer going bad is much higher.

It is conceivable I can buy a different (and hopefully better quality) timer. But decided to give another chance to the ST3PF. We all deserve a 2nd chance, don't we?

I must concede this troubleshooting is a bit shoddy.

2/21/2016 Update:
I ran into this article that explains the different types of timers really well. I wish I had the information when I started the project.


2/9/2016 Update:
This morning, the timer lasted way longer than 10 seconds. Even hitting the reset button didn't stop it, so I ended up with more coffee than needed. Hopefully it was a one time fluke, which is hard to imagine. We will wait and see whether it occurs again in the future.

Original Post
After multiple failed attempts to grind coffee consistently, I finally decided to splurge and bought the Baratza Virtuoso, which can grind the exact amount of coffee each morning at the specific coarseness.

It takes one (1) day to realize the dial switch on the grinder is completely useless. It is simply not practical for easy and consistent setting. For example, I need 10 seconds (the magic number deserves its own blog), and there is no marking of such. Even if I can find exactly where it should be, and note it with a permanent marker, doing it each morning half awake before coffee is humanly impossible.

Well, I can make a timer -- actually a timer relay with delayed off,  called "Off-Delay Timer" to be specific. Hence the Fuji ST3PF came to the rescue. It has an adjustable delay of 1-60 seconds, with a start and reset trigger. I bought it on Oct 28, 2014 at ebay for $7.16, including shipping and handling, from China. How could they make money is still a mystery. I could have bought more, as it is selling for about $12 in Feb 2016.

I decided to retro fit it with a power strip, and you can see the finished product.

• The timer is in the middle of the power strip.
• The start (red) and reset/stop (black) buttons are at the right end.
• The outlet on the right one (1) is controlled by the timer relay - no need for 2 or more.
• The left 2 outlets (one plugged in with the blender shown at the front) are not controlled by the timer.

It was a resounding success. Without saying, there was some necessary calibration (how much coffee ground is produced at different coarse levels settings on the grinder in a given time like 10 seconds, which can be used to determine how much time is needed for 28 grams, since we decide to be exact).

A few months later, I found out the timing wasn't correct, when I started using a moka pot, which needs less coffee. After some investigation, it was discovered that the marks on the dial is NOT what I thought. For example, setting it to "2" does not mean 20 seconds.

That needs to be rectified. After about an hour of re-calibration, you can see the marks and numbers I wrote with a marker. Notice how far away it is between 20 and 30 seconds? Amazing.

Anyway, now we have a piece of improved high accuracy equipment, honoring the daily coffee ritual (manual drip on weekdays, french press on weekends,and moka pot on random days).

Reflections:

• Even with the manual re-calibration, I would buy the timer again in a heart beat. It is a lot of time for the money (pun intended).
• It took some research to find out and decide exactly what I would need. Initially I was thinking of Arduino plus a relay, or maybe even a Raspberry Pi plus a relay, or a- dial timer switch as you see often in the bathrooms of campsites. It ranges from micro-controller based DIY projects, to electrical gadgets. The final narrowing down to the category of "Off-Delay Timer" was a significant step.
• Then choosing the right type also took research. Different vendors have very different products and prices. Even the Fuji Electric catalog shows a long list of products of various specifications and prizes. Reading through the literature, and understanding each, was essential to picking the right one. For example, you need to look at the timing charts carefully to decide which specific one you need. Then you can decide whether you want the 5 second, 30 second, or 60 second models. No, "Chinese" is not the problem, it is the reality of discovering and navigating the complexity when transitioning from a concept to a real thing. [revision: Knowing Chinese helps. The Japanese version is much harder to understand]
• Critic of the ST3PF: As great and cost-effective a product it is, I wouldn't call it high quality. The marking not being accurate is a HUGE minus, especially since it is not noted (therefore leaving customers to discover). It is rated at 20 million cycles, which translates to about 55 thousand years. It will be fine even if it can last a fraction of it.
• On the other hand, the final product I created didn't have any specifications, little testing, and no manual at all. 
• An "industrial product for sale" needs a lot of rigor and work, beyond "something that works," even with all the limitations.