I am looking for the proper piece of hardware to do what I'm looking for on my current prototype machine build.
I want a timer to begin counting upwards in seconds when a switch is activated, and reset back to zero when the switch is deactivated.
I know I can probably make some kind of Arduino based set up for this, and I know for a fact how to do this with a PLC/HMI, but I am having a hard time finding a cost effective, easily solution for this as its only a prototype at this stage. Everything I search keeps pointing me towards what looks like timer relays, but I'm not sure if that's what I need. I don't need to throw any outputs at any set points, basically just a cycle time readout for the operator.
EDIT: I suppose I could also use a 1 second pulse generator wired to the input on a basic counter, but lets see if we can find the right stuff..
Thanks!