Simple Auto Top Off (ATO), inexpensive too!

[RyanP]

nice

 

[CHOMPERS]

just did mine too
I still need a box (buy that tomorrow)
But I used two floats in series..
If you do it right the higher one will be a safety/backup float..

Very nice job Myteemouse! I had read about the redundant float switch but forgot about it when I built mine. I have a second float switch and that unused hole.
Thanks for the reminder.


For anyone wondering how to put the second one in, like Myteemouse said, it gets wired in series with the first one. The float needs to be removed and then be reinstalled upside down. That will convert the float switch from "normally open" to "normally closed". If the water level rises up to the upper switch and the bottom one sticks closed, the upper switch will shut down the pump and prevent a flood.

 

[whamphyry]

hmmmm... gotta remember this post when i make my tank =)

nice and simple... thanks guys... if i need a question i will just go here or PM you, okay? xD

 

[Pharaoh]

Nice job Chompers!

 

[Myteemouse]

Very nice job Myteemouse! I had read about the redundant float switch but forgot about it when I built mine. I have a second float switch and that unused hole.
Thanks for the reminder.


For anyone wondering how to put the second one in, like Myteemouse said, it gets wired in series with the first one. The float needs to be removed and then be reinstalled upside down. That will convert the float switch from "normally open" to "normally closed". If the water level rises up to the upper switch and the bottom one sticks closed, the upper switch will shut down the pump and prevent a flood.

No not upside down just raise it up a little from the first
and take the wires like this

main has wires A&B second has wires C&D

Attach wire A to relay, connect wires B&C together. And connect wire D to the other side of the relay.

This makes both of them in the ON positon when down. the water level hits either float switch the pump will shut off (relay) the second is just a back up in case the first on fails!

 

[CHOMPERS]

I like my way better.

I'm missing something because it seems that wiring it that way should make the water level rise to the top float. I'll have to rethink it through out the day. Just a thought, toggle your top float and see if it turns on the pump. I think you may have wired it in parallel rather than series.

 

[Myteemouse]

sorry I 'm not sure the name
If I drop the lower float (the upper is always down ) the pump turns on..
If I drop the lower float (pump on) and raise the upper, pump turns off.
it's an emergency back up float.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Ok, that makes sense now. Your bottom float switch is 'normally open' or NO and the top float switch is 'normally closed' or NC. That's what I was explaining when I said to take the float off the switch and reinstall it onto the switch upside down. That converts a NO float switch to a NC switch.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Nice job Chompers!

Thanks.

Btw, It looks like the Chompers College of Engineering is fresh out of students.

 

[Austin]

chompers, where did you get the cheap float switch(es)? i can't find any that cheap anywhere.