>suggestions to
>> help me out. Here's my problem: I need a timer that once activated will
>run 30
>> minutes, after the 30 minutes is up a relay will be triggered. Any code,
>> schematics, or advice would be greatly appreciated. I have the ability to

>    Do you REALLY need a microcontroller for this????? Why not using a 555
>astable and a BIG divider... The error would be much less then 5 % when
>correctly adjusted! Or even better use the 555 as a monostable with large
>timing! It doesn't even have to be programmed!

CMOS timer chip 4541 is made for exactly this kind of use. Motorola makes
it as MC14541. Programmable divider, latch/recycle modes etc.

But if you need to do anything else then a PIC is probably justified.

Reg Neale