You say the manual switch that bypasses the counter will make it work right? that takes the transistors out of the equasion as a problem. Have you tried a different pin from your counter? or a new counter just in case damage has occurred. Just a couple thoughts.
Good morning George! I trust you're feeling better?
Yes, the manual switch causes the relay to be switched off - obviously this shows that if the 4020 sends Q14 high enough they will switch off the relay as intended. This bit, though, doesnt happen.
I've tried various outputs from the 4020 - their LED's all flash together but never achieve any sequence - i.e. they don't come on when it's supposed to be their turn, so to speak.
I've tried a new 4020 but the same result.
I cannot rule out the possibility of poor circuit connections though I've been over it several times and I pretty sure I've got it right (i.e. as per the diagram).
So, now that I've taken a look at a you tube video that shows a circuit doing what I want but uses some 4093's as well as the 4020, it may be that I shall need to get a little more sophisticated in the circuit and components used?
However, I can see the logic in Flecks diagram and I really like its simplicity - it'd be a pity to lose that by making a more sophisticated circuit!