555 camera trigger question

[Jim]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3 (out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the camera
shuts down.

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

The 7555 easily lights an LED (for the 0.5 second or so trigger time), but I
am not up on all the different opto's enough to know what to pick to act
like a button push to my camera.

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Thanks
Jim

 

[Jim]

No, there's no timer mode......and as far as investing in a camera that does
have.....I have 10 of these things working that I use in forest plant
research....I'd rather invest in some timer mods than new camera equipment.

I don't blame the 555 totally (or even the relay) but am going to reduce
current draw where I can.

Got any suggestions or part numbers for my opto question?

 

[[email protected]]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3 (out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the camera
shuts down.

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

You think it's the *555* that's responsible for the current draw?
Yoicks.

The 7555 easily lights an LED (for the 0.5 second or so trigger time), but I
am not up on all the different opto's enough to know what to pick to act
like a button push to my camera.

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Thanks
Jim

Hm, or you could read the manual for the camera and see if it has a
timer mode. Or just buy a camera that does because you're getting into
"waste of time and effort:already been done" territory.

Get a nice used Canon S3.

 

[D from BC]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3 (out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the camera
shuts down.

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

The 7555 easily lights an LED (for the 0.5 second or so trigger time), but I
am not up on all the different opto's enough to know what to pick to act
like a button push to my camera.

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Thanks
Jim

Thoughts..
A)
Stay with relay. Use minimal ON time wave.
Purchase very low draw relay. (Telecom relay?)
Maybe use CMOS 555 version.
Power it up with an adapter.

B)
Search Digikey, Mouser etc for 4 pin opto.
(Designers generally won't shop for you on this one.. It's too basic.)


D from BC

 

[Tom2000]

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

Try something like the PAA110, LAA110, or other similar MOSFET relay
IC. They will operate on less than 5 mA and provide the dry contact
closure you need to trigger your camera.

Good luck!

Tom

"All-in-One Remote" digicam remote/timer/intervalometer accessory:
http://www.mindspring.com/~tom2000/Projects/AI-1_Remote/AI-1_Remote.html

 

[Mike]

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Thanks
Jim

Just curious, How much current is it drawing with and without your mods?
What is the amp hour rating of the battery? Even a bipolar 555 should be
drawing less than 20ma. CMOS should get that below 1ma. More than likely
you can replace the relay with a mosfet and use less power than an opto.

Mike

"In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I,
with my limited human mind, am able to recognize,
there are yet people who say there is no God.
But what really makes me angry is that they quote
me for the support of such views."
Albert Einstein (theoretical Physicist)

 

[Rich Grise]

25:08 -0500, Jim top-posted:
[Top Post Repaired]

No, there's no timer mode......and as far as investing in a camera that
does have.....I have 10 of these things working that I use in forest
plant research....I'd rather invest in some timer mods than new camera
equipment.

I don't blame the 555 totally (or even the relay) but am going to reduce
current draw where I can.

Got any suggestions or part numbers for my opto question?

If this wraps, just reconstitute it in your browser window.
http://www.fairchildsemi.com/sitese...&i=sitemap+id&ia=1&text=4N28&as=1&render=1&w=

But probably the worst culprit is the camera itself - I have a Fuji
somethingorother, it was $139.00, which was the cheapest cam at the
time; it eats batteries in a matter of days, even when it's not on.

If you can power down the camera completely (i.e., disconnect the
battery) and don't need to set the clock every time you turn it on,
you might be able to shut down power to the camera in between shots.

I can't do that with my cheap Fuji - I take the batteries out, but
then when I turn the camera back on for the next usage, I have to
reset the clock before I can snap a picture. I figure it's worth it,
to have a set of batteries last more than a day or two.

And please bottom-post.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Frank Buss]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3 (out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the camera
shuts down.

You should measure the current, but I guess the camera is drawing the most
current, because it does not go to sleep. The relay should draw no current,
too, if you use one which are triggered with pulses and locks to closed or
open position without continuous current flow.

Maybe an idea would be to use 2 relays: One for switching the main power
on/off and one for triggering the push button.

But why do you use a relay? A mosfet should work, too, for both, the camera
power and the trigger. First the camera should power up. Some seconds later
(depends on your camera, how long it needs to startup) the trigger can be
pressed and again some seconds later (depends how long it needs to save the
image) you can power it down. If the power up sequence doesn't need much
power, it will work some more hours.

The sequences could be implemented with a small microcontroller, or just a
4017, which is clocked from the 555 every 6th second: You'll get 10
different outputs, at second 0, second 6... second 54. E.g. you could use
0, 6 and 12, or'ed together with diodes, for power up and 6 for the
trigger.

 

[D from BC]

Try something like the PAA110, LAA110, or other similar MOSFET relay
IC. They will operate on less than 5 mA and provide the dry contact
closure you need to trigger your camera.

Good luck!

Tom

"All-in-One Remote" digicam remote/timer/intervalometer accessory:
http://www.mindspring.com/~tom2000/Projects/AI-1_Remote/AI-1_Remote.html

Yikes! The PAA110 is $8.46Can at Digikey.
LAA110 is $5.53Can.

A generic 4 pin opto is less the 50 cents.


D from BC

 

[default]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3 (out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the camera
shuts down.

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

The 7555 easily lights an LED (for the 0.5 second or so trigger time), but I
am not up on all the different opto's enough to know what to pick to act
like a button push to my camera.

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Thanks
Jim

I've built a digital time lapse camera using a picaxe for a timer.

The camera takes a fair amount of power while just sitting there
waiting if it is in an active mode. To conserve the battery (two AA
cells) I put the picaxe to sleep between shots where it is burning
power in the microamp range. It wakes at a predetermined time set by
a series of switches, and sends power to the camera via a mosfet
(instead of a relay) and allows the camera time to come on (initialize
its own processor) then takes a picture, stays on for a time period to
allow the camera time to store the picture in flash memory, then goes
back to sleep removing power from the camera.

A set of AA batteries is good for three outings with the camera and
each use is good for 60 pictures over a time period of up to 5 hours.
So about 180 shots and 15 hours of operation from a pair of AA
alkalines.

You could do something like that with two or three cmos 555 timers -
one timer gives the long delay between shots a second operates the
shutter after the camera comes on (three timers would only serve to
make the adjustment a lot easier if you want to change the delay
interval without a lot of tinkering)

If you are working your camera by supplying power via a USB connection
- you're wasting a lot of power - the advantage is that it keeps the
camera active rather than powering down, so only takes one timer to
make it a time elapse camera, but it was really designed for an
unlimited power source so they don't take pains to conserve power.

I'm in the process of building "camera two" and it will take between
900 and 1200 pictures on a set of batteries, and shut down if the
ambient light is too low (daylight only). I plan to run it unattended
for a week on a pair of D cell batteries.

If you have rudimentary or better BASIC programming skills, the picaxe
is only $3 and can be programmed with only a serial cable from a PC
and three resistors. They are loads of fun to play with. 3-A/D
converters built in, four input output ports on a power miser 8 pin
dip, and a lot of neat programmed in capability, (PWM outputs, 20 ma
drive capability with totem pole outputs, servo outputs, music ,
infrared remote control encoding and decoding).
"Camera one" cost me about $20 total ($9 camera)
"Camera two" will cost about $25 (with a $19 camera)
Waterproof box may cost more than the works inside.
--

 

[mpm]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....

Have you considered using small solar panels for this application?
www.powerupco.com And check out their smaller panels (1-watt to 3-
watt range).
Then, all you need is a nice storage battery -- say a 6V 4Ah or such.

I agree with the other posters that the camera draw is probably the
most sigifnicant.
Not the relay or timer circuit.

-mpm

 

[default]

Jim , are your camera's waterproof? Mine need to be and I was
wondering how you are handling that?

--

 

[Fred Bloggs]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3 (out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the camera
shuts down.

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

The 7555 easily lights an LED (for the 0.5 second or so trigger time), but I
am not up on all the different opto's enough to know what to pick to act
like a button push to my camera.

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Hey- are you using something like this for the "gell cell?"
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/GC-64/160400/6VOLT,_4AH_GEL_CELL_.html
Cuz if'n you are then that puts your current draw way up at 750mA, which
is way beyond any re-work of your extremely poorly described 555/relay
combo will fix-unless you really goofed up with the relay selection,
speaking of which, the 5V job will not take to 6V very well. You should
be using something like this:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/RLY-634/500/5VDC_REED_RELAY,_SPST_N.O._.html
That one has a 150R coil for 5/150=1/30=33mA current draw from 5V, and
that is while it's being powered. Is your timer configured so that it
times out 60 seconds and then *pulses* the relay for 50msec or so before
it turns it back off and restarts the next 60s duration? If so, that
puts your average relay current draw at 33mA x 0.05/60=0.00002Amps,
quite a small number, and also makes the relay much more tolerant of
your 6V supply.

 

[Jon Slaughter]

I have been using a digital still camera to take time-lapse photos....one
photo every 60 seconds. I built a timer using a 555 which uses pin 3
(out)
to activate a small 5 volt relay with a diode across the coil. The camera
originally ran on 4 AA cells, but a 6v gell cell now powers the works.

This camera is triggered via a simple pushbutton switch which I soldered
wires onto that go to the relay. (the camera does not go to sleep in this
short of time)

Appearently this all draws more current than I would think 'cause my gell
cell barely lasts 6 or 7 hours before running out of voltage and the
camera
shuts down.

So in an effort to reduce total current draw, the 555 is being replaced
with
a 7555, and in the same vain, I now think I should be replacing the relay
with an optocoupler of some kind.

The 7555 easily lights an LED (for the 0.5 second or so trigger time), but
I
am not up on all the different opto's enough to know what to pick to act
like a button push to my camera.

I would like a suggestion or 2 on where to start here, even some part
numbers if someone has already done this.

Thanks
Jim

Does the camera need to be on for those 55-59 seconds that its not doing
anything?