Smartphone Interval Timer for Evaporator Firing

[Ghs57]

I found a free app for my iPhone that lets me set an alarm for my firing interval. There are actually an number of them available, and many have free versions. The one I went with was Repeat Timer Free (RepeatTimerApp.com, v1.3). It's in the App Store.

These apps are generally used for interval training for runners and other types of exercise programs, but also works quite well for our purposes. You simply set there main timer and interval timer to your firing interval, select your alarm tones, number of repeats, and a few other app options, then hit the start button. The free version will repeat your main/interval timer combination up to five times. For me that was over an hour of alarms. (The pro version will repeat up to ninety-nine times - but I'm too cheap to spend any money on this, or even a wind up kitchen timer)

Regular firing is critical to the efficiency of your evaporator. I did not realize how much until I started using this.

[wnybassman]

I use the countdown timer on my ***ahem*** flip phone ***ahem*** and it works very nice. :)

[Ghs57]

I use the countdown timer on my ***ahem*** flip phone ***ahem*** and it works very nice. :)

You sound like my brother-in-law. He still has his first flip phone.

Really, it's whatever works. I already had the phone, and this was free. Now, if I just didn't have to split all that wood...

[Big_Eddy]

Duplicate post.

[Big_Eddy]

I use ihourglass. Set the time, shake the phone to start. Tip phone on edge to pause. Flip it over for an instant reset ( I guess that makes mine a flip phone too 😀) Works perfectly.
We use it to play boggle and scrabble too.

[wnybassman]

Really, it's whatever works.

I agree, especially if you have visitors. Five minutes easily turns into ten minutes when sidetracked.

BTW, not my first flip phone. Just hard to get rid of the old trusty GZone Ravine. :)

[Ghs57]

I use ihourglass. Set the time, flip the phone and it runs. Flip upside down for an instant reset. Tip phone on side to pause. We use it to play scrabble and boggle too.

That sounds interesting. I'll take a look.

[Ghs57]

I agree, especially if you have visitors. Five minutes easily turns into ten minutes when sidetracked.

Ain't that the truth.

[seandicare]

to be honest, i just use the timer on the alarm app already on my Ipod (too cheap for the actual phone).....no need for separate aps

[Ghs57]

My problem with the default timer was that it was too much busy work restarting each time, not to mention that I would forget to do it. With this app, I do nothing but hit the start button one time every hour or so. I have the auto off disabled, which is an option within the app, so the display is always visible. Turn the volume all the way up so I can hear the alarm over the blower, boil, radio etc. It can also be paused or stopped and restarted should that become necessary, like when a visitor shows up.

I work alone mostly, so there is plenty to do between firings, such as skimming foam, adding defoamer (occasionally), sampling the product, transferring sap to the head tank or main storage tank, bringing in wood, splitting wood (I don't split ahead of time because I get bored just sitting waiting for the timer), watching the draw off thermometer, or whatever else comes up.

One draw back is that with the display on full time, the battery runs down in a few hours. I have power in the shack, so I keep a charger there.

What we need is a timer the resets when the door is closed. Maybe something attached to the latch.

[Bricklayer]

I'm building an auto draw and might try to incorporate this into it. It can be reset with a button that I'm going to put right beside the fan control switch right beside the door latch. There is actually a Pid that has a timer on it also but I think having it separate is best. Pretty expensive timer though.

[CampHamp]

I use IntervalTimer (freebie) on iPhone -- boxer bell "clang" every 8 minutes! Let's you control your music from its display.

[campus189]

Flip Phone?
Old school, I like that. lol
I tried this, then I get a phone call and forget all about it. hehe
Well, at least it's better than an hourglass. :lol:

[Ghs57]

I think you are right that a phone call can mask the alarm. It's a good thing I don't have any friends.

[campus189]

I think you are right that a phone call can mask the alarm. It's a good thing I don't have any friends.

As soon as people find out you make maple syrup, you'll have friends you didn't know you had, like me. lol