WMAS Discussion Forum : Float Switch Mod

WMAS Discussion Forum : Float Switch Mod http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:26:53 +0000 Thu, 04 Dec 2003 12:58:27 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=687 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : Mineis hooked up to a simular...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11801&title=float-switch-mod#11801 Author: Travis
Subject: 687
Posted: December 04 2003 at 12:58pm

Mine is hooked up to a simular powerhead as you described and is preforming well. Thanks for the info. ]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2003 12:58:27 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11801&title=float-switch-mod#11801 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : We had to stop making them, people...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11792&title=float-switch-mod#11792 Author: Guests
Subject: 687
Posted: December 04 2003 at 11:13am

We had to stop making them, people were using large pumps. This was exceeding the rating of the switch, even after saying not too. You can make your own. All you have to do is break the hot wire of the power head with our float
switch. That is cut the hot wire of the power head "the one with the small
prong" and tie each end of the float switch to the cut wires. Place the
float switch in the water that you want to top off. This will keep it within
1/4 inch. Make sure that you do not exceed the rating of the float switch,
Aqua Tech power head works good. I think it's the 190, which is fine for top
off, and Wal-mart has them for about $18.00
]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2003 11:13:14 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11792&title=float-switch-mod#11792 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : What happened to your powerhead...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11790&title=float-switch-mod#11790 Author: Travis
Subject: 687
Posted: December 04 2003 at 10:49am

What happened to your powerhead float switch? I purchased one from http://www.floatswitches.net/ and I'm still using it... works great but where there problems that made you discontinue them?]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2003 10:49:24 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11790&title=float-switch-mod#11790 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : I noticed that a number of people...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11768&title=float-switch-mod#11768 Author: Guests
Subject: 687
Posted: December 04 2003 at 2:19am

I noticed that a number of people are looking for float switches, wehave the mini float switches. They are $6.00 each not $12.00 or $18.00

www.floatswitches.net

]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2003 02:19:46 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11768&title=float-switch-mod#11768 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : Thanks jf, Will do. ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11581&title=float-switch-mod#11581 Author: TonyG
Subject: 687
Posted: December 02 2003 at 4:53pm

Thanks jf,
Will do. ]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2003 16:53:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11581&title=float-switch-mod#11581 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : I don't think a triac would...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11499&title=float-switch-mod#11499 Author: jfinch
Subject: 687
Posted: December 01 2003 at 6:18pm

I don't think a triac would be more reliable then a relay. What I would do if I were you is add the capactor and resistor in the schematic in the first post (the two that are wired parallel to the float switch/triac). See the schematic on this page labeled "Reed Protection": http://www.madisonco.com/reference/floatswtech.htm]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2003 18:18:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11499&title=float-switch-mod#11499 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : Thanks for the info. The float...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11492&title=float-switch-mod#11492 Author: TonyG
Subject: 687
Posted: December 01 2003 at 4:47pm

Thanks for the info.
The float switch and Rio 1700 pump are wired through a relay. All VAC. Would you believe a TRIAC would be more reliable than a relay?
Thanks,
Tony
PS I can send you a wiring diagram if you supply an e-mail address.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2003 16:47:56 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11492&title=float-switch-mod#11492 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : My first plan to fix the sticking...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11472&title=float-switch-mod#11472 Author: jfinch
Subject: 687
Posted: December 01 2003 at 12:41pm

My first plan to fix the sticking float switch was to wire it through a RELAY. Power the switch with only 12v DC and run the pump through the contacts on the relay. In my quest to find a "simple" 12 volt DC power supply circuit (I didn't want yet another "wall wart" for this), I came across the TRIAC. The triac works just like a relay only a separate power supply for the switch is not needed and it's a very small component. I could have used an AC relay and not worried about a separate power supply for the float switch, but the AC relays I've seen are all much bigger then the triac. So, a small current is sent through the float switch which activates the triac which then sends line current through the triac to the pump. The resistor in series with the float switch drops the voltage across the switch which helps to keep it from sticking together.

The capacitor and resistor (wired in parallel to the switch) are there to filter out the surge currents when the pump starts. Hope this helps.

]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2003 12:41:04 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11472&title=float-switch-mod#11472 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : Hi jfinch, You may have answered...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11467&title=float-switch-mod#11467 Author: TonyG
Subject: 687
Posted: December 01 2003 at 12:12pm

Hi jfinch,
You may have answered a question that puzzeled me for a long time!!!
A couple of years ago I built an automatic water top-off system using a plastic vertical mount liquid level float switch. The switch controls a pump that transfers RO water to the aquarium when the water evaporates. On a few occasions I flooded the living room due to a stuck switch. I tried to shield the float switch with a metallic sheet to prevent EMI with no success. I am interested in the Triac that you propose.
I can not access the link on your original post.
Question-What's the principal behind the switch-why will the Triac prevent surge current?
Many thanks in advance,
Tony
]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2003 12:12:44 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=11467&title=float-switch-mod#11467 <![CDATA[Float Switch Mod : That's why I don't like...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=10600&title=float-switch-mod#10600 Author: jfinch
Subject: 687
Posted: November 17 2003 at 8:46am

That's why I don't like non-drilled overflows. Jake's right, a smaller u-tube is probably a better fix.

]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2003 08:46:27 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=687&PID=10600&title=float-switch-mod#10600