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Post by scoobnoob on Jan 20, 2014 9:37:17 GMT -5
I recieved a broken floatswitch a while back. The wire frayed off the sensor (switch) itself. I bought a new switch and soldered it on. The switch is supposed to activate the outlet when the float piece gets too low...my new switch activates it when the float is high...so my top off would never come on. I rewired it the other way but I figured it wouldn't make a difference because it's the float that's completing the circuit and it's only doing so when it's high. I can't flip it upside down because then I'd have live wires in my tank. Any suggestions? I bought it on ebay and assumed all float switchs turned on when water level were low.
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Post by gotareef on Jan 20, 2014 10:11:33 GMT -5
wrong float switch, or its wired wrong inside it. I would contact the seller and see what they say...
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Post by n00b- Ryan [Poland] on Jan 20, 2014 12:18:35 GMT -5
..first thought that comes to mind.. -- sounds like the float itself is upside down.... those are pretty simple circuits... they either complete the ground leg... or the power leg...
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Post by n00b- Ryan [Poland] on Jan 20, 2014 12:20:15 GMT -5
..actually... thinking about it a little more.. kinda seems like that is a switch designed more for like a sump pump... where the rise of water is being monitored...
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fragfreaks
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Post by fragfreaks on Jan 20, 2014 12:25:22 GMT -5
I recieved a broken floatswitch a while back. The wire frayed off the sensor (switch) itself. I bought a new switch and soldered it on. The switch is supposed to activate the outlet when the float piece gets too low...my new switch activates it when the float is high...so my top off would never come on. I rewired it the other way but I figured it wouldn't make a difference because it's the float that's completing the circuit and it's only doing so when it's high. I can't flip it upside down because then I'd have live wires in my tank. Any suggestions? I bought it on ebay and assumed all float switchs turned on when water level were low. Float switches, or any other switches, can come in two different setups. Normally open and normally closed. I would say more often than not float switches are "normally closed" this means that when the two wires come into contact when the switch is at its lowest point, ie when your water level gets low. From what you are explaining it sounds that you have a normally open switch. If you are using something like an apex then all you would need to do is reverse your coding for the float and your done. If you are using something else that is needs to see a normally closed signal to start its squence then there is a way that you can convert your current switch. This would involve using a relay in series with the current float switch and using the normally closed contact of the relay. With the price of float switches now being around 6 bucks or so online it most likely will just easier to get a new float switch that is normall closed. |
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fragfreaks
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Post by fragfreaks on Jan 20, 2014 12:29:48 GMT -5
Also wanted to mention that typically those float switches are pretty well insulated (I guess that would depend on where you got it). The digital aquatics ones, which I use, look to be pretty solid and I know many people that run two of these with one being a fail safe and which ends up being fully submerged under water at all times. So turning it upside down most likely wouldnt cause any issues. But if you didn't feel comfortable doing that then a new one with the right setup would be the way to go.
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Post by Tucker on Jan 21, 2014 9:09:07 GMT -5
I agree with noob on this one without seeing it. There should be a stopper on top where it releases the float so that you can turn it around. You don't have to flip the whole switch, just the float.
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Post by scoobnoob on Jan 21, 2014 15:10:12 GMT -5
I will try Tuckers idea tonight if all else fails I'll look for a new switch. It was an ato with a float switch going to an electrical plug the old switch corroded so I figures it would be easier and cheaper to just replace the switch. I do have an apex but no break out box.
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Post by scoobnoob on Jan 21, 2014 19:30:40 GMT -5
ITS ALIVE!!! I took the float off and turned it upside down as Tucker suggested goes on the right way now!!! Thanks Tucker!
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Post by Tucker on Jan 22, 2014 13:57:43 GMT -5
I just programmed 2 myself, so I had recent insight. Glad I can help!
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