Adding timer to grinder

[stevendouglas]

My home setup includes a Mazzer Mini-E and one of the features I appreciate about this grinder is the timer. While I have to tinker with the timer every other day or so, after I get that dialed in, I shove the PF under the chute a couple of times and I've got the right dose. It's all good.

I've just ordered the Quick Mill Stepless from Chris' for decaf coffee at home and there is no timer on it. I would like to install a timer on the Quick Mill grinder.

Has anyone installed a timer on a grinder? I looked online and couldn't find a 120V timer that was adjustable in seconds (probably 5 seconds to 30 seconds). An LED count-down timer would be ideal. While I'm an EE, I don't want to, nor COULD I if I wanted to, design and build a timing circuit from the ground up.

Any help would be appreciated. (Yes, I realize it would be easier all the way around to just weigh my beans and grind to completion. That's not the point of this exercise.)

Thanks,
Steve

[HB]

Dosing with.. darkroom enlarger timer shows what's probably the least expensive option. Searching eBay for darkroom timer yielded lots of choices. Then there's Paul Pratt's super geeky grinder timer for precision-minded people with deep pockets.


Image courtesy of Paul Pratt's Espresso Restorations

[stevendouglas]

Then there's Paul Pratt's super geeky grinder timer for precision-minded people with deep pockets.

Thanks! I think I'll go with the cheap and easy solution - not sure I need to control time to down to one one-thousandths of a second, and if I were doing that, I'd probably build a precision scale to shut off at a preset weight...now THERE'S an idea!

[Java Man]

not sure I need to control time to down to one one-thousandths of a second

I agree -- timing the grind will not bring accurate-dosing-nirvana. No matter how precise the timed interval and the grinding speed, day-to-day differences in the grind setting, roast, beans, humidity, etc. affect the ground weight produced in a timed interval.

Rick

[cannonfodder]

Well, my Cimbali has a doser pressure switch that turns off the grinder when it is full, and on again when it gets empty. I suppose that would be good for a cafe with non stop business. I wonder if I could modify that pressure switch to shut down at 17 grams? It is probably just a spring loaded pressure plate, put in a lighter spring... Or I could super geek it out with a pressure transducer and relay, but then the mods would cost twice what the grinder cost.

I will just stick with the push on push off switch. One of the things I like about my La Cimbali JR, the switch is under the doser on the lever side of the machine. So you can push it off with your thumb as you dose, no timer to grapple with.

[SPG]

I just put one of these inside the case on my Mazzer mini. It works well.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/...?ItemId=1613545436

[SPG]

OK, I'll try this again since the link doesn't seem to work.

Go to http://www.grainger.com and search for Grainger part# 4FE31 which is a digital Omeron relay. Cost is $144, non (electronic) digitals are around $88. Have fun.