Three phase power often comes at odd hours, and nobody wants to walk to the field at 2 a.m. to switch the pump off. Left running, the borewell runs dry or the field floods; switched off too early, the crop misses its water. A starter with a timer runs your submersible motor for exactly the hours you choose, and because a BTCO starter keeps every protection working while the timer runs, the motor is switched off before it burns if anything goes wrong. Here is how each timer works, and which BTCO starter has it.
What is a starter with timer?
A starter with timer switches your submersible pump ON and OFF by itself, at the times or for the hours you set. You don’t need to be at the field. In a BTCO starter, the timer works together with the automatic start and all the motor protections, so the motor runs on schedule and stays protected.
The three timers in a BTCO starter
| Timer | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Normal timer | Runs the motor for the hours you choose, then switches it off by itself | Filling a tank or watering a field for a fixed time |
| Cyclic timer | Runs the motor ON for a set time, then OFF for a set time, again and again | Weak borewells that need time to refill; drip and regular watering |
| RTC (real time clock) timer | Starts the motor at a set time of day and runs it for a set period, up to two sessions a day | Watering at the same time every day, such as early morning and evening |
Normal timer: run for set hours
Set the hours, and the motor runs for that long and then stops by itself. It is the simplest way to stop a pump from running all night after you’ve gone home. If the power goes off in the middle, the timer carries on when power returns and runs only the balance time.
Cyclic timer: ON and OFF in turns
The cyclic timer runs the motor for a set time, rests it for a set time, and repeats. On a borewell with a low yield, the OFF time lets the water level come back up, so the pump doesn’t run dry and the motor doesn’t overheat. It is also handy for watering at regular intervals.
The cyclic timer is not the same as the dry restart time, which only works after a dry run trip. This short video explains the difference:
RTC timer: water at the same time every day
RTC means real time clock. Set a start time and how long to run, and the motor starts at that time every day, with up to two sessions a day. First set the right clock time on the starter, so the timer switches at the right moment.
Timers from your phone: 4 timer modes in the app
Fit the BTCO GSM Module to any BTCO starter, including the Combined starters, and set timers from the free BTCO Starters app. The app has 4 timer modes: Normal, Cyclic, RTC (up to 2 sessions a day by the clock) and Scheduler, which lets you set a different schedule for each day of the week. You can change the timer from anywhere, and get an alert on your phone when the motor starts, stops or trips.
The timer decides when; the protection keeps the motor safe
A plain timer switch only switches the pump on and off. It doesn’t know if the borewell has run dry, a phase is missing or the motor is overloaded. In a BTCO starter, every protection keeps working while the timer runs: dry run, single phasing, overload, voltage fluctuation, earth fault and cable fault. If something goes wrong in the middle of a timer run, the starter stops the motor and shows the reason. See them all in our submersible motor protection guide.
Which BTCO starters have timers
| Your motor | BTCO starter | Timers |
|---|---|---|
| 3 phase, single cable, 3–10 HP | DOL-03 fully automatic DOL starter | Timer + WLC variant: normal, cyclic and RTC |
| 3 phase, double cable, 7.5–30 HP | FASD-03 fully automatic star delta starter | Timer + WLC variant: normal, cyclic and RTC |
| Single phase, 2–3 HP, for homes | FASP-01 Single Phase Domestic | Built in: normal, cyclic and RTC |
| 3 phase on juice line, 2 phase or 3 phase | Combined DOL and Combined star delta | Through the app, with the GSM Module |
| Any BTCO starter | With the BTCO GSM Module | 4 app timer modes, including Scheduler |
Ask for the timer + WLC variant when you order a DOL-03 or FASD-03. It also lets you fill a tank automatically with BTCO magnetic sensors (see the water level controller). If you only need automatic ON/OFF and protection, the variant without timer + WLC is enough, and you can add timers later through the app. Not sure which starter fits your motor? Read which automatic starter your motor needs.
Frequently asked questions
Which BTCO starters have a built-in timer?
The DOL-03 and FASD-03 star delta starters come in a timer + WLC variant with normal, cyclic and RTC timers. The FASP-01 Single Phase Domestic starter has these timers built in. The Combined starters have no built-in timers, but with the BTCO GSM Module fitted they can run on the timers in the BTCO Starters app.
What is a cyclic timer?
A cyclic timer runs the motor ON for a set time, then OFF for a set time, again and again. On a borewell, the OFF time lets the water level recover, so the pump doesn’t run dry.
What is an RTC timer?
RTC means real time clock. The RTC timer starts the motor at a set time of day and runs it for a set period, with up to two sessions a day. Set the right clock time on the starter first, so the timer switches at the right time.
What is the difference between the cyclic timer and the dry restart time?
The cyclic timer runs the motor ON and OFF in turns, as you plan it. The dry restart time only works after a dry run trip: the starter waits for that time so the borewell can refill, then starts the motor again.
Can I set timers from my phone?
Yes. With the BTCO GSM Module fitted to any BTCO starter, the free BTCO Starters app gives you 4 timer modes: Normal, Cyclic, RTC and Scheduler, which sets a different schedule for each day.
What happens to the timer if the power goes off?
The timer carries on. When the power comes back, the starter continues the timer and runs the motor only for the balance time that was left, so you don’t lose watering time and the motor doesn’t run longer than you planned. The timers in the BTCO Starters app work the same way.
Does the motor stay protected while it runs on a timer?
Yes. Timers only decide when the motor runs. Dry run, single phasing, overload and the other protections keep working the whole time, and stop the motor if something goes wrong.
Should I buy the starter with or without timer + WLC?
Choose the timer + WLC variant if you want the motor to run for set hours or at set times, or to fill a tank automatically with BTCO magnetic sensors. If you only need automatic ON/OFF and protection, the variant without timer + WLC is enough, and you can still add timers later through the app with the GSM Module.
Get a starter with timer for your motor
Call or WhatsApp us with your motor’s HP, single or double cable, and your power supply, and tell us how you want to water. We’ll suggest the right BTCO starter and timer. Compare every model on our submersible pump starters page, or visit your nearest BTCO Starters dealer. Read why submersible motors keep burning, and how to stop it, and more answers in our motor starter FAQ.
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