T12 Timer

The new UV SYSTEMS T-12 Timer provides sophisticated lighting control for a dynamic and exciting visual display of fluorescent minerals. The T-12 Timer is an upgraded version of the popular T-10 Timer. All of the original T10 Timers have been sold - most to museums and some to private collectors.

Managing up to five different types of lights, the sequential timing blocks can be adjusted to cycle the effects of different wavelengths - providing an ultraviolet light show unmatched by any product now on the market.

This easy-to-use timer is built for versatility, reliability, and safety. No computer is required for its operation. Developed specifically for fluorescent mineral displays, it is ideal for museums as well as serious mineral enthusiasts.


(Inside view of the T-12 Timer's electronics.)

A typical sequence begins when the viewer steps on a pressure-sensitive mat switch or presses a push button by the display. The changing lights hold the attention of viewers as they enjoy the spectacular colors of the ultraviolet display. The famous Gillespie Museum of Minerals at Stetson University in FL begins a display with 16 seconds of long wave light, then changes to short wave light for 15 seconds, then has long wave and short wave together for another 15 seconds. The lights turn off for eight seconds of darkness, allowing viewers to see the phosphorescence of the minerals. The sequence ends with incandescent lights slowly coming up to maximum and dimming back to darkness. A few of the other museums with T-10 Timers are the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; Thomas S. Warren Museum of Fluorescence at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg, NJ; and Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, OR.

Improved features of the new T-12 over the T-10 Timer
The new T-12 will have improved initial control over the start sequence. Once the push button has been pressed, the timer will go through one complete cycle. If you press the push button again after the cycle has started, nothing changes and the cycle continues until the end. Also when power is applied to the timer nothing happens until the push button it pressed.

The timer can control up to five different types of lights (three are standard) such as:

  1. 1 - Long Wave at 351 nm
  2. 2 - Long Wave at 368 nm
  3. 3 - Medium Wave at 312 nm
  4. 4 - Short Wave at 254 nm
  5. 5 - Incandescent or white light
Or one or more of the outputs can be used to control a Digital Audio unit (not supplied) or to turn "on" and "off" the overhead room lights.

Timing blocks allow up to eight different actions during the one cycle. An example program would be (1) long wave "on" and "off", (2) medium wave "on" and "off", then (3) short wave "on" and "off", (4) long wave and medium wave come "on" together, (5) medium wave and short wave come "on", (6) all UV lights come "on", then (7) all lights "off" for phosphorescence, (8) and, incandescent lights ramp up, stay steady, then dim.

Each of the eight timing blocks is adjustable from four seconds to two minutes.

The T-12 does not require using all eight sequence timing blocks; one to eight can be selected before the sequence resets.

An optional Digital Audio circuit can be connected to the T-12, allowing an audio message, with or without music background, to be synchronized with the timing cycle.

A built-in "nuisance avoidance circuit", is part of the start system, preventing viewers from repeatedly pressing the start button just to see the program start. This circuit can be manually adjusted when desired.

An optional manual override feature is available. For competitive fluorescent mineral displays, a judge may manually turn on each UV light at any time.

The outputs and all timing sequences each have a LED that indicates status and sequence.

Designed specifically for mineral displays, the T-12 operates any UV or incandescent lights designed for instant start or rapid start operation, but are best used with UV SYSTEMS lights. This is because start up is hard on some lights, and the wear of repeated on-and-off cycles would shorten the life of some lamps. The timer can operate "pre-heat" lights with starters such as the UVP, Inc. UVS-225D and the Raytech SW-218CB, but these lights are not designed for repeated "on" and "off." The lamps or starters would fail in a few months or weeks. At this time, the only UV lights with instant start or designed for on-and-off operation are the original TripleBright or the new TripleBright II (no loss of lamp life) and the UVP, Inc. UVG-D68 (cold cathode grid lamp).

Easy to Use
The T-12 is fairly simple to program or you can request that it be preprogrammed before shipping. It does not connect to a computer. Once set up, it stays that way, even when the power goes off. No backup batteries are required. The timer can be reprogrammed by following the clear directions that are included.

Reliable
All controls are solid-state except for one relay, and that relay has been tested for over 100,000 operations. Outputs are controlled by a solid-state relay with a very long life. The timer uses very little current and does not get hot. There are no motors in the timer.

Safe
All the 120 Volt AC circuits are grounded and protected by a 10 amp fuse. The on-off toggle switch is on a plastic, non-conductive housing. The whole timer is protected by a strong polycarbonate clear cover. The start switch and timing printed circuit board are part of safe 12-volt DC circuits.

The new T-12 Timer, complete with incandescent dimmer and strong plastic case in now available. Presently only four are left all the others have been sold. Contact Don Newsome, President for more information.