cheap auto top up

[besty2006]

so i work as an appliance engineer for a living and i was mending a dishwasher were 90% of them have a float switch in the base as an anti flood device wich is just polystyrene and a micro switch wich when switched brings drain pump on so what i have thought is if i put a diferent micro switch in wich is normaly open instead of normaly closed switch it will bring a pump on when the switch is released so i plan on doing this this weekend i will be using

1x powerhead
1x dishwasher float switch
1x 3a plug
1x flexcable
2x insulated spade terminals
1x 5gal drum with top cut off for over flow reservoire with power head in

i will be taking photos on every step so you can all have a go if some one has dont this am sorry but i didnt look in the diy section

[wayne]

Keep em coming besty, we all have different ways of doing them and im in the process of setting up another;)
QUESTION?
Will the wifes dishwasher still work without said switch and float?:D

[besty2006]

it will work just flood the kitchen.....:jawdrop: only kidding i purched i new float switch from local wholesale i have always wanted to do something my self but can never be bothered but this seemed too easy (there are the famouse last words) :confused:

[Gaters]

it will work just flood the kitchen.....:jawdrop: only kidding i purched i new float switch from local wholesale i have always wanted to do something my self but can never be bothered but this seemed too easy (there are the famouse last words) :confused:

I will be watching this as need a reliable auto top up:D:D:D:D:D

[mazza]

just buy a tunze top up,the daddy.

[Tangman]

There is a plan in DIY about making your own top up, and its quite cheap to make. Twiggy:D:D

[ROB]

My auto top up has just gone pop so will be looking at this,

Rob.

[besty2006]

ok so shopping list has been done so here is the overall cost i could of done it for about 15pound cheaper with a dishwasher float switch but these seem to be easy to mount in tank

float switch £20
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/floatswitch.jpg
pipe £5 for 2 meters
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/pipe.jpg
power head for resovoire £5
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/powerhead.jpg
for the res i have just used an old 5gal white drum you no the one from lfs and cut the top off wich i will be using to hold my ro with my pump in you could make the rez how ever large small you wanted

SO I HAVE READ THE STICKY ON THE AUTO TOP UP AND SEEMS A BIT COMPLICATED
here is the diagram i have done simple but will work fine!!
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/untitled.jpg
all i have done is brocken the live before the powerhead via the float switch so as the water level drops the float switch makes a contact on the live side, the powerhead pumps till the float switch rises and breaks the live contact between the pump and the plug top easy then we get evaporation tank level falls and we start pumping etc etc etc

[wayne]

The float switch and bracket setup ive seen on ebay, but would have second thoughts about using suction pads, its a well known fact that these can and will deterate over time, dont have to tell you the outcome of a float switch floating on its side:frown: on another note just got my tackle from Hong Kong and in the process of rigging one up also:D

[mikk1301]

The float switch and bracket setup ive seen on ebay, but would have second thoughts about using suction pads, its a well known fact that these can and will deterate over time, dont have to tell you the outcome of a float switch floating on its side:frown: on another note just got my tackle from Hong Kong and in the process of rigging one up also:Dright you doin me a back up one too mate ;)

[Timo]

ok so shopping list has been done so here is the overall cost i could of done it for about 15pound cheaper with a dishwasher float switch but these seem to be easy to mount in tank

float switch £20
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/floatswitch.jpg


power head for resovoire £5
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/powerhead.jpg
for the res i have just used an old 5gal white drum you no the one from lfs and cut the top off wich i will be using to hold my ro with my pump in you could make the rez how ever large small you wanted

SO I HAVE READ THE STICKY ON THE AUTO TOP UP AND SEEMS A BIT COMPLICATED
here is the diagram i have done simple but will work fine!!
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/besty2006/untitled.jpg
all i have done is brocken the live before the powerhead via the float switch so as the water level drops the float switch makes a contact on the live side, the powerhead pumps till the float switch rises and breaks the live contact between the pump and the plug top easy then we get evaporation tank level falls and we start pumping etc etc etc
On your diagram there is no relay to control the pump, without one that type of float switch will burn out.

[cl0wn]

The float switch and bracket setup ive seen on ebay, but would have second thoughts about using suction pads, its a well known fact that these can and will deterate over time, dont have to tell you the outcome of a float switch floating on its side:frown: on another note just got my tackle from Hong Kong and in the process of rigging one up also:D

yeah, would definitely look to making some sort of bracket to use instead of the sucker.

[wayne]

On your diagram there is no relay to control the pump, without one that type of float switch will burn out.

What sort of relay would be used Timo and where would it be best placed?

Clown i got a sieo bracket off mick and used that but i have an angled float

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/xp200/DSCF3294.jpg

[Timo]

What sort of relay would be used Timo and where would it be best placed?

Clown i got a sieo bracket off mick and used that but i have an angled float, i will post a pic up ;)soon
A DPDT relay when switching main's current on the live side of the circuit but to be honest I wouldn't put 240v through it, I made one years ago and it lasted about 3 month's before the connections in the float burnt out.

Get a 9v motor and look around the garage and house for a 9v AC adaptor (or one to match motor) and use that you wont need any relays then and if it goes wrong you wont kill anyone lol

[cl0wn]

you can get the little pumps off ebay, they are basically the same as the ones that come with the tunze. got one similar to the one in the link and it works great. is connected to the tunze, so may need an adapter for use in fish tanks. someone with a better knowledge of electrics should comment.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caravan-submersible-water-pump-12v-10-litres-per-min_W0QQitemZ320385132546QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cam pervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item4a98712802&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[Timo]

you can get the little pumps off ebay, they are basically the same as the ones that come with the tunze. got one similar to the one in the link and it works great. is connected to the tunze, so may need an adapter for use in fish tanks. someone with a better knowledge of electrics should comment.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caravan-submersible-water-pump-12v-10-litres-per-min_W0QQitemZ320385132546QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cam pervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item4a98712802&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
Yeah that will work fine 12v @25w is not going to be many amps and will not burn out much. Just make sure the AC adaptor you get is 12v (or about 10-13v will still work) look for a one that's about 1 amp should be enough power to drive that motor (at a quick guess) you can try 800mA or lower etc.

[besty2006]

i can see where your coming from with the switch but it has a 240v 5a rating and been on my tank for a week now and seems fine its the same microswitch u find in dishwasher door interlocks and they workl for years you gotta think there is only power going through the switchfor 10mins tops at a time then the switch stays open so no current passes the spade terminal wich will carry 13a also just stripped switch down and no signs or overheating are stress to any part so i will leave it as it is tank is on rcd with earth rod so wil be safe :D

[Timo]

i can see where your coming from with the switch but it has a 240v 5a rating and been on my tank for a week now and seems fine its the same microswitch u find in dishwasher door interlocks and they workl for years you gotta think there is only power going through the switchfor 10mins tops at a time then the switch stays open so no current passes the spade terminal wich will carry 13a also just stripped switch down and no signs or overheating are stress to any part so i will leave it as it is tank is on rcd with earth rod so wil be safe :D
It looks like this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-Float-Switch-with-Suction-Mounting-Bracket_W0QQitemZ140327449138QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET?hash=item20a c2af232&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A13 18|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50 which has a 0.5A max rating?

[besty2006]

this is true the one in the link is 0.5a but a 9w power head still only pulls
0.037a if am correct but just stripped float switch down and its deff 5a not 0.5a so 0.5a will support 120watts wich is a large power head too large for auto top up so i am sure the switch is good enough to support 9w for 10mins a once or twice aday