simple timer with signal output

wondering if anyone can help i am trying to build a timer were a 12vdc supply is switched on and 5- 10 sec later a +12v signal is sent out to turn on a relay which in turn handles a larger load, this would be used in a negative ground automotive application any help would be greatly appreciated
Thankyou

Power-on delay can be realized in several ways, for example with the very popular 555-timer, but I would like to encourage you to use a small microcontroller, some times called the 555 of the new millennium, namely the PICAXE08 ..
You shouldn’t have problems in buying it in Australia (Altronics) ..

https://www.rev-ed.co.uk/docs/picaxe_manual3.pdf
See page 7 ..

Programming in BASIC is incredible easy and all necessary tools are free (available from the same website as the above manual ..

The advantage of using this small (8-pin DIL) microcontroller is that if you change your mind about the way the device is to be switched on – such as different time delay, for example – the only thing that has to be modified is the program – hardware stays unchanged ..

Program may look like this:



Rgds,
IanP

https://www.rev-ed.co.uk/docs/picaxe_manual1.pdf
https://www.rev-ed.co.uk/docs/picaxe_manual2.pdf

Thanks IanP the programming will be a sinch as i use plc's all day and being an electrician i can understand basic electronic schematics so hopefully i can find a way of putting it all together

with kind regards Evbagnall

p.s. if i need a push in the right direction i hope you dont mind giving me a shove

By all means, mate ..

Rgds,
IanP