This sounds like an excellent way to start with electronics. I suggest you start with THIS TURTORIAL It's the best one I've found on the web. Study a few of the schematics, and ask any questions you have in this forum. You'll also need some basic transistor thoery, because the timer most likely won't drive your water valve by itself, and you'll end up connecting a power BJT or FET. Good luck.

PS: also found these TRANSISTOR TURTORIALS on Tony Van Roon's website.

Looks like Tony's web pages are no longer available at the Univerisity...

Nope. He retired in August. I've had the devil of a time trying to find them. Finally, I found the notice that his site moved. Fortunately, the site is still available in it's entirty.

hi W69,
Look at this 555 tutorial link.

The 555 Astable Circuit - Electronics in Meccano

Best to beg, borrow or steal an oscilloscope if you want to know the pulse width. A 'scope is the most useful instrument on any electronics bench.

Originally Posted by warzo69

so basically what im reading is that a simple timer can be made from a 555ic a resistor and a capacitor. The duration of the pulse is controlled by the capacitor and resistor ratings. I know I may be getting ahead of myself here(I usually do), but does anyone have a link that would show me how to read and display the numeric value of the pulse on an lcd or small LED display.

Thats a fairly big step.

You could calibrate a potentiometer and dial to enable easier setting of the ranges.

Why do want to display the period.?

Also, you can simulate your circuit in LTSpice ( free software ) The package include the 555 timer in its library, and has a graphical display you can use to view the output pulse. There is lots of support available on this site for this package.

Your idea is only a few minutes old, and already suffers from "feature creep."

Originally Posted by warzo69

basically my goal is to create a timer with variable cap's/resistor's and display the math as I change the values of the components so my wife can alter the water display without a calculator or me for that matter! Again this is about me learning first and less things for her to complain about second!

I would opt for a 10 turn pot and counter dial.

Using the 555 formula for your required time periods with a fixed cap and 10 turn pot would be accurate enough.

As your electronics experience is a little rusty, making a timer period display would be difficult.

Originally Posted by warzo69

I understand, however I am an aggressive learner and my ability to stay focused requires an increasing level of difficulty. With the help that everyone has provided so far I will have this circuit designed by this evening and will be looking for the next addition to my skill-set.

Thanks you again for everyone's help and support!

hi,
When you have finished the circuit, post it.

If possible use a CMOS version of the 555 timer.