opinions on my auto water changer design

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
jcardona1 said:
That would be way too difficult to fine-tune. Not enough and you flood your sump over the course of a few hours. Too much and you run the system dry. Too risky.
Click to expand...
How would it overflow the sump? if water is exiting from the tank at the same rate as the new incoming water there wouldn't be any more water going to the sump then there is now.
 
jcardona1 said:
Huh? Not at all. That's what the sump pump on a float switch is for. When the water level in the sump rises and triggers the float switch, it turns on the drain pump until the water level drops down to normal. When it rises again a few hours later, the pump gets turned on. There is no need to figure out anything as far as rate of incoming water.

The issue with this is what is the power goes out or the float switch fails, you need a solenoid to do two things:

1) cut off the flow of water if the float switch/drain pump fails and the water level in the sump begins to rise beyond the float switch
2) cut off the flow of water if the power is goes out
Click to expand...
I understand that. But there is the risk of the float getting stuck or the power going out. With the water exiting the tank at the same rate as the incoming water there is not need for a float switch or pump.
 
MyGiants said:
How would it overflow the sump? if water is exiting from the tank at the same rate as the new incoming water there wouldn't be any more water going to the sump then there is now.
Click to expand...

How can you be 100% certain your draining the EXACT same amount that you're putting in? You could have small fluctuations in the water level, over the course of a few hours. There's now way you can be sure and regulate that with a small valve.
 
MyGiants said:
I understand that. But there is the risk of the float getting stuck or the power going out. With the water exiting the tank at the same rate as the incoming water there is not need for a float switch or pump.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what the normally-closed solenoid is for.
 
jcardona1 said:
How can you be 100% certain your draining the EXACT same amount that you're putting in? You could have small fluctuations in the water level, over the course of a few hours. There's now way you can be sure and regulate that with a small valve.
Click to expand...
By watching the level in the sump doesn't rise any higher then it sits right now without any incoming water. Once you see the level stays the same in the sump you know the drain flow is the same.
 
MyGiants said:
By watching the level in the sump doesn't rise any higher then it sits right now without any incoming water. Once you see the level stays the same in the sump you know the drain flow is the same.
Click to expand...

I'd hate to see what happens when that drain line clogs due to the tiny opening :) When dealing the possibility of floods inside your home, cutting corners and take the easy route is not the way to go.
 
jcardona1 said:
I'd hate to see what happens when that drain line clogs due to the tiny opening :) When dealing the possibility of floods inside your home, cutting corners and take the easy route is not the way to go.
Click to expand...
Tiny opening? LOL why would it be a tiny opening. He wants to flow 8gph. How is this cutting corners. You just don't like my idea cause its not your idea
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom