code: def _startTimer(self, interval):
          
          if not self.__timer:
              self.__timer = QtCore.QTimer(self)
              self.__timer.setSingleShot(self.__singleShot)
              self.__timer.setInterval(interval)
              self.__timer.timeout.connect(self.timeout)
              self.__timer.destroyed.connect(self._clearTimer)
  
              # ensure to stop this timer when the app quits
              QtCore.QCoreApplication.instance().aboutToQuit.connect(self.__timer.stop, QtCore.Qt.QueuedConnection)
          
          self.__timer.start(interval)
docs: Starts the internal timer.
          
          :param      interval | <int>