Cyclic Timer vs Clock Timer vs Auto Off Timer
Nearly every VUKAR panel and device carries a timer, and several carry three at once. The names sound interchangeable and are not. The timer type and settings affect when a pump stops or restarts. Check them carefully, particularly where the pump may run unattended.
Compare cyclic, clock and auto off timers with Vukar Automation. Pick the timer function your pump task calls for.
This page explains what each timer actually does, which product carries which, and how to decide.
The difference in one line each
- Auto Off / Stop Timer — you start the motor; it stops itself after a set run time. One shot, no schedule.
- Cyclic Timer — the motor repeats an on/off cycle by itself, and can retry automatically after a dry run.
- Clock Timer — the motor runs at set times of the day and on set days, by the real clock.
| Auto Off / Stop Timer | Cyclic Timer | Clock Timer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who starts the motor | You, by hand | The timer, repeatedly | The timer, at set times |
| Who stops it | The timer, after the run time | The timer, at the end of each run | The timer, at the set stop time |
| Knows the time of day | No | Only if operating hours are set | Yes — time, day and date |
| Repeats on its own | No | Yes | Yes, per programmed event |
| Needs level sensor wiring | No | No | No |
| Typical use | Stopping overflow on a manual fill | Irrigation, and dry-run recovery | Filling during supply hours |
Auto Off / Stop Timer
This is the simplest of the three and the one on the entry-level panels. The panel works in semi-automatic mode: you switch the motor on yourself, and it switches off automatically once the run timer expires.
An Auto Off timer stops the pump after a configured running period. It does not measure tank level and cannot guarantee overflow prevention. Confirm actual filling conditions and the exact controller instructions before setting a running period.
Two limits are worth being clear about. It is not a water level controller: it does not know whether the tank is full, only how long the motor has run, so a slow borewell day means an under-filled tank and a fast one still risks overflow. And it does not start the motor for you.
On the DM-Universal-V1 controller the Auto Off timer is the run parameter, set in minutes, and the panel must be in ST (Auto Stop with Timer) mode. Set it to the time your tank actually takes to fill. Setting it to 0000 disables the run timer entirely.
Some devices additionally carry a Power On Auto Start Timer — the ast parameter — which is a different thing. It delays startup after the supply returns. A delay alone does not confirm that voltage or other supply conditions are safe.
Cyclic Timer
A cyclic timer runs the motor through repeating on/off cycles on a schedule you set, without anyone touching it. It is the timer that suits irrigation, where the requirement is a pattern of runs rather than a single fill.
Two capabilities go with it on the models that have them:
- Operating hours — the repeating cycle only runs between the daily hours you set, so a cyclic pattern can be confined to the hours you have supply or want water.
- Hierarchical timer — multiple individually programmed cycles inside a broader schedule, for cases where one repeating pattern is not enough.
On the DM-Universal-V1 the cycle is a pair of parameters: run sets how long the motor runs, and rst (Rest Timer) sets the mandatory rest before it may start again. The rest period is what lets a low-yield borewell recharge between pumping cycles, and it also limits motor heating from frequent starts.
The dry-run connection
The cyclic timer is also what makes automatic dry-run recovery possible. On a programmable auto-restart dry run timer, the controller shuts the pump off when it detects a dry run, then waits for the timer to expire before resuming — giving the borewell time to recharge rather than hammering a dry pump.
This has a safety consequence that owners often miss: with the cyclic timer and restart timer enabled, the pump can start again with nobody present. If you are working on the pump, sump or pipework, isolate the supply. Do not rely on the motor being stopped, because a stopped motor may simply be waiting out a timer. Our fault code guide covers this under FDR, along with the permitted reset methods.
Clock Timer
A clock timer works by the real time of day. You set the times and the days, and the pump runs to that programme — on the models that carry it, up to 20 separate start and stop events, which is enough for a different pattern on different days of the week.
These models carry a digital clock display showing time, day and date, so the programme can be checked and changed without guesswork. On the DM-Universal-V1 the ON times are held as n.01 to n.20 and the OFF times as f.01 to f.20 in the TIM menu, with the days chosen separately in the DS menu.
The clock timer is the right choice when your constraint is external and time-based: a fixed supply window, a shared borewell with agreed hours, or a tariff that makes some hours cheaper than others. It is the wrong choice when the constraint is the tank level, because the clock does not know how full the tank is.
What happens after a power cut
A programmed schedule is only useful if it survives an outage. On models with power failure recovery, the timer picks the schedule or cycle up where it left off when supply returns, rather than resetting to the beginning.
On a supporting model, a Power On Auto Start Timer adds a configured restart delay after supply returns. The actual restart and schedule-recovery sequence depends on the model and settings; the delay is not voltage regulation.
When a timer is the wrong tool
All three timers share one blind spot: none of them knows how much water is in your tank. They control the motor by time, not by level.
If your actual requirement is "fill the tank and stop when it is full," a timer is an approximation and a water level controller is the answer. It starts the motor when the overhead tank is empty and stops it when the tank is full, which is a different mechanism entirely. On VUKAR model codes, the A-series panels carry the water level controller and the M-series carry the auto switch instead — the starter panel chart explains how to read those codes.
The two are not exclusive. Several products carry a water level controller and a cyclic or clock timer, and on some the controller itself can be limited to set hours of the day — level control inside a time window.
Which timer do you need?
| Your situation | Timer to look for |
|---|---|
| You start the pump yourself and just want it to stop before the tank overflows | Auto Off / Stop Timer |
| You irrigate on a repeating pattern | Cyclic Timer |
| Your borewell yields slowly and the pump keeps dry running | Cyclic Timer with auto-restart |
| You have supply only in fixed hours | Clock Timer |
| You need a different pattern on different days | Clock Timer (multi-event) |
| You want the tank filled and stopped automatically, whatever the yield | Water level controller, not a timer |
| You want level control, but only during certain hours | Water level controller with settable operating hours |
Timer settings reference (DM-Universal-V1)
These are the actual ranges on the DM-Universal-V1 Custom Motor Protection Device (96 × 96), taken from its user manual. These are model-specific reference values, not recommended settings for every pump or installation. A qualified installer must verify the exact device revision, motor, supply and installation before changing settings. Other models use their own manuals and values.
| Code | Name | Unit | Range | Default | DM-Universal-V1 manual reference — installer verification required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| run | Run Timer | Minutes | 0000 – 9999 | 0030 | Typical tank fill time, e.g. 30–60 min. 0000 disables. |
| rst | Rest Timer | Minutes | 0000 – 9999 | 0120 | Typically 30–120 min, based on motor cooling needs. |
| ast | Auto Start Time | Seconds | 0000 – 0999 | 0030 | 0060–0300 s. 0000 disables auto start. |
| atc | Auto Reset Timer | Seconds | 0000 – 9990 | 0003 | 0060–0300 s, by motor size and cooling. |
| trq | Torque Timer | Seconds | 000.2 – 060.0 | 001.0 | 000.5–001.5 s. Do not change without technical support. |
trq is worth understanding even though you will rarely touch it: it is how long the green push button holds the start capacitor in on a single phase motor, or the time allowed to switch from star to delta on three phase. Incorrect settings can interfere with starting. Use the exact model manual and technical support; do not copy another installation’s torque-timer value.
Protection settings you should set at the same time
The timers decide when the motor runs. These decide when it is stopped to protect it, and they matter more. All are on the same DM-Universal-V1.
| Code | Name | Unit | Range | Default | DM-Universal-V1 manual reference — installer verification required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ol | Overload Ampere | Amperes | 001.5 – 999.9 | 100.0 | 110% to 120% of the motor's rated full-load current. |
| olt | Overload Trip Delay | Seconds | 001 – 250 | 0010 | 0005–0015 s. 0000 disables overload trip. |
| dr | Dry Run Ampere | Amperes | 000.5 – 998.9 | 000.5 | 5–10% below the motor's normal running current. |
| drt | Dry Run Trip Delay | Seconds | 0001 – 250 | 0005 | 10–15 s. 0000 disables dry run protection. |
| hiu | High Voltage Cut-off | Volts | 140 – 500 | 500 | 460 V three phase, 270 V single phase. 500 disables. |
| lou | Low Voltage Cut-off | Volts | 130 – 490 | 130 | 350 V three phase, 200 V single phase. 130 disables. |
Two things in that table are worth knowing. The factory defaults for hiu and lou are the disabling values — 500 V and 130 V — so a unit ships with voltage protection switched off. Do not infer the installed unit’s configuration from factory defaults alone. Have a qualified installer verify the actual settings against the motor, supply and exact manual. Do not change protection limits simply to avoid fault indications. And the dr figure cannot be guessed: it has to be based on your motor's actual measured no-load current, because the controller detects dry running by current draw, not by sensing water.
Getting into the menus
| Menu | Press | What it holds |
|---|---|---|
| SET | MENU | Motor protection — ol, olt, dr, drt, hiu, lou |
| CYC | SET | Cyclic timer — ast, run, rst, trq, atc |
| PRC | MENU + SET | System configuration — mod, cts, mem, acl, vcl, olm, wrt |
| CLK | Long press UP | Clock — date, month, year, day, hour, minute, second |
| DS | MENU + UP | Day selection — Sunday to Saturday |
| TIM | UP + DOWN | Clock timer schedule — n.01–n.20 ON, f.01–f.20 OFF |
| CCT | MENU + DOWN | Run/rest schedule — r.01–r.20, s.01–s.20 |
Inside any menu: UP increases the value, DOWN decreases it, SET saves and moves to the next parameter, MENU saves and exits.
The AUTO/MANUAL switch sits above this. In MANUAL every timer and automation is disabled and you start the motor with the green push button — hold it until the green LED comes on. In AUTO, the mode set in mod decides the behaviour: FAUT fully automatic, SS manual start and automatic stop on the tank sensor, ST manual start and automatic stop on the run timer. DRO is reserved for future use and should not be selected.
For the full parameter list, download the manual for your unit from the product manual page, and compare feature sets across a range on the borewell, openwell, monoblock and three phase DOL comparison pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cyclic timer and a clock timer?
A cyclic timer repeats an on/off cycle over and over; it is concerned with the pattern, not the hour. A clock timer works from the real time of day and date, running the pump at the times and on the days you programme. Some models carry both, so a repeating cycle can be confined to set hours.
What does the Auto Off or Stop Timer do?
It stops the motor automatically after a set run time. You start the motor by hand and the timer switches it off, which stops a timed run but does not guarantee overflow prevention or measure water level. On the DM-Universal-V1 this is the run parameter, adjustable from 0000 to 9999 minutes with a default of 0030, and the panel must be in ST mode. It does not start the motor and it does not detect the tank level.
Can the pump restart by itself with a cyclic timer?
Yes. On models with a programmable auto-restart dry run timer, the controller stops the pump on a dry run and restarts it once the timer expires, so the water source can recharge. Because restart can happen with nobody present, isolate the supply before working on the pump or pipework.
Will my timer settings survive a power cut?
On models with power failure recovery, the schedule or cycle resumes where it left off when supply returns rather than starting over. Some models also use a Power On Auto Start Timer. This is a restart delay, not confirmation of safe voltage.
Can a timer replace a water level controller?
Not reliably. A timer runs the motor for a length of time; a water level controller starts the motor when the tank is empty and stops it when the tank is full. If your borewell yield varies, the same run time fills the tank differently from day to day, so a timer will sometimes under-fill and sometimes overflow.
How many programmes can a clock timer hold?
On the DM-Universal-V1, 20 ON times (n.01 to n.20) and 20 OFF times (f.01 to f.20), in the TIM menu, with the active days set separately in the DS menu. Simpler clock timer models hold fewer, so check the manual for your unit.
Where do I set the timer on my panel?
On the DM-Universal-V1, press SET to open the CYC menu, which holds ast, run, rst, trq and atc. Use UP and DOWN to change a value, SET to save and move on, MENU to save and exit. Other models have different menus and different ranges, so identify the model code printed on the panel and use that unit's guide.
Still unsure which model to buy
If you are choosing a product rather than operating one you already own, work in this order: pump type and HP first, then whether you need level control or a timer, then the extras. The starter panel chart by motor HP covers the first step, and the product selection pages walk through the rest.
Pump timer types, daily schedules and power-return behaviour
Compare timed stop, cyclic operation and clock scheduling without treating their recovery rules as interchangeable.
Choose the timer rule
An auto-off timer stops a manually started run after a configured period. A cyclic timer repeats configured ON and OFF periods. A clock timer follows configured times of day. These rules solve different problems; choose the required sequence before selecting a model.
A schedule does not measure water
A timer cannot establish that a tank is full or that a particular volume was delivered. Flow and available water can change. Where tank or source conditions must permit or stop pumping, confirm the supported level inputs and their interaction with the timer.
Specify recovery and operating hours
For TPM-T’s documented daily-runtime function, remaining daily runtime and allowed operating hours are separate parts of the requirement. Do not transfer that example to every standalone timer or auto-switch variant. Confirm what the selected model does after a power interruption, a trip and the end of an allowed window.
Related video demonstrations
Questions before choosing
Which timer lets me start the pump and have it stop after a set time?
Choose an auto-off or stop-timer function for a manually started run that should end after a configured duration. It is useful when the task calls for a timed stopping point rather than a repeating schedule. Set the period from the actual application using the exact model guide. If the required stopping point is a full tank, include level sensing in the selection because filling time can change with flow conditions.
How does cyclic timing help with repeated watering or pumping?
Cyclic timing repeats configured running and rest periods, which can support a regular pumping routine without repeated manual switching. Choose the run/rest pattern for the application and check whether the selected model also provides the operating-hours restriction you need. Source-water permissions and motor protection remain part of the arrangement. Ask the installer to demonstrate one complete cycle and explain how it responds to the supported stop conditions.
When should I choose a clock timer?
Choose clock control when operation should follow specified times of day, such as agreed water-supply hours. Cyclic control is the choice when the main requirement is a repeating run/rest pattern. Some models combine these functions, so describe both the schedule and the stop conditions if you need them together. Check the exact model’s guide and have the installer demonstrate the selected schedule before unattended use.
When is a water-level controller the better choice for tank filling?
Choose level control when the pump should respond to the tank’s actual low or full condition, or to water availability in a source tank. A compatible sensor arrangement provides that feedback as filling conditions change. A timer can still be useful where elapsed time is part of the job. Draw the source and receiving tank, mark the desired start and stop levels, and use that plan to select the controller.
How can a pump resume its remaining daily runtime after a power cut?
TPM-T’s documented daily-runtime function resumes the unused part of the daily target after power returns, subject to its operating and protection conditions. Once the target is completed, it stops until the next day. This is useful when you want daily-time accounting rather than simply another start on power return. Ask for the exact motor-compatible model and have its recovery sequence demonstrated, including any permitted-hours requirement.
How should I plan an overnight pumping schedule?
State the permitted start and stop times and, if needed, a separate daily runtime target. These give the supplier a clear schedule to work with. Agree what should happen when the night window ends with time still remaining, and how a power cut or midnight crossing is handled. Have the selected model’s combined sequence demonstrated during commissioning so the installation follows the routine you actually need.
How can a cyclic rest period help with a low-yield borewell?
A configured rest period provides time between pumping runs, which can be useful in a low-yield borewell routine. Choose the timing from the site’s actual water availability and pumping conditions, together with the exact model’s dry-run and retry functions. Keep the supported water and motor checks active. Ask the installer to explain the retry sequence and show how a water-shortage condition affects the next permitted run.
Can I automate a local watering routine without a SIM card?
Yes. A compatible local timer starter can run a repeatable routine without a SIM subscription. Choose the schedule and stop rule you need, then match the panel to the motor and installation. If remote commands, alerts or status are also important, list those separately so the appropriate communication arrangement can be assessed. This keeps the local automation requirement and any remote-access requirement clear from the start.
What should I specify for evening-to-morning lighting control?
Give the supplier the required evening ON time, morning OFF time and days of operation. A fixed clock schedule is useful when those are the required operating hours. If you want the timing to adjust with changing sunrise or sunset, include that requirement explicitly when choosing the supported function. Check the exact timer guide and have the agreed schedule demonstrated rather than relying on the general name “clock timer.”
How do timer settings and running-hour records help me manage the pump?
Use the timer to define when or for how long a permitted run should take place, and use the running-hour counter to record accumulated motor operation for service planning. Keeping these jobs separate makes the records easier to use. Note valid hour readings against the same motor and panel. If the job requires delivered water volume, include a suitable water measurement because time and flow can vary independently.
Explore the relevant guides
Automatic Pump Restart After a Power Cut: What Should Resume?
Nighttime Irrigation: Keep Pumping Inside the Allowed Hours
Drip Irrigation Pump Timers: Cyclic Runs or Fixed Clock Hours?