VAreef
Reefing newb
Living in a second floor apartment I was very concerned with overflow of my tank or sump. So basically I came up with this solution.
I took a 24v coil contactor and wired in 120v AC from the outlet to its input. I wired in a 120v AC to 24v AV transformer on its outlet. The transformer then powered a 24v float switch and a 24v wet switch that fed back to the contactors 24v coil. I added in a push button start to bypass the contactor so I can start up the system.
Basically the system works like so. I push the start button which bypasses the contactor. This energizes the transformer. As long as the float on the aquarium is low enough it will allow the 24v circuit to continue. From there the 24v goes to the wet switch next to the sump which if it is dry will allow the 24v signal to go back to the contactor coil completing the circuit. When the circuit is complete the coil for the contactor is energized which maintains 120v power to the outlets which power my return pump and skimmer.
I was going to add in a wiring scematic for this but figured if you know enough about electricity to attempt it you won't need one. If you don't know what all of this means please do not try this at home. Remember 30volts of electricity can kill you and a typical household outlet is 120 volts.
Here's a few pics of the controller I made.
The 120v to 24v transformer used to power the 24v control circuit.
The 2 pole contactor I had to jumper 1 pole on so the start switch would work. ( a single pole contactor would have been much easier)
The start switch I wired in to bypass the contactor on the pole that wasn't jumpered.
Standard outlet I used for the pump and skimmer to plug into. I liked that I found a black one. Looks much nicer.
Here's a pic of me verifying the voltages in the box. You can get an idea of the wiring in there I hope. Also, if you don't have a multimeter don't try this. Verifiying voltages without one hurts.
And of course the completed system. I should have located the outlet a little lower as the trim plate made the cover bulge a little. I may trim it out some if I get around to it.
It works great and gives me a little piece of mind when I'm at work. I do still worry that I'm going to get a call from the landlord about a flood in the first floor apartment though. If the aquarium level gets to high the pump and skimmer shuts down. If my sump or skimmer cup overflows the system shuts down. I'm considering adding in 2 solenoid valves to it. One for the pump outlet and one for the overflow drain that will shut when the pump power goes out. I'm still trying to find affordable plastic solenoid valves though.
Like I said in the beginning. I was going to add in a wiring diagram for this but if you know enough to attempt this you shouldn't need one. If you don't know what this stuff does please do not attemp to make this. It may be a very simple system but electricity does kill.
Also, did I mention that electricity can kill you? I'm mechanically inclined, so I am a little afraid of electricity.
I took a 24v coil contactor and wired in 120v AC from the outlet to its input. I wired in a 120v AC to 24v AV transformer on its outlet. The transformer then powered a 24v float switch and a 24v wet switch that fed back to the contactors 24v coil. I added in a push button start to bypass the contactor so I can start up the system.
Basically the system works like so. I push the start button which bypasses the contactor. This energizes the transformer. As long as the float on the aquarium is low enough it will allow the 24v circuit to continue. From there the 24v goes to the wet switch next to the sump which if it is dry will allow the 24v signal to go back to the contactor coil completing the circuit. When the circuit is complete the coil for the contactor is energized which maintains 120v power to the outlets which power my return pump and skimmer.
I was going to add in a wiring scematic for this but figured if you know enough about electricity to attempt it you won't need one. If you don't know what all of this means please do not try this at home. Remember 30volts of electricity can kill you and a typical household outlet is 120 volts.
Here's a few pics of the controller I made.
The 120v to 24v transformer used to power the 24v control circuit.
The 2 pole contactor I had to jumper 1 pole on so the start switch would work. ( a single pole contactor would have been much easier)
The start switch I wired in to bypass the contactor on the pole that wasn't jumpered.
Standard outlet I used for the pump and skimmer to plug into. I liked that I found a black one. Looks much nicer.
Here's a pic of me verifying the voltages in the box. You can get an idea of the wiring in there I hope. Also, if you don't have a multimeter don't try this. Verifiying voltages without one hurts.
And of course the completed system. I should have located the outlet a little lower as the trim plate made the cover bulge a little. I may trim it out some if I get around to it.
It works great and gives me a little piece of mind when I'm at work. I do still worry that I'm going to get a call from the landlord about a flood in the first floor apartment though. If the aquarium level gets to high the pump and skimmer shuts down. If my sump or skimmer cup overflows the system shuts down. I'm considering adding in 2 solenoid valves to it. One for the pump outlet and one for the overflow drain that will shut when the pump power goes out. I'm still trying to find affordable plastic solenoid valves though.
Like I said in the beginning. I was going to add in a wiring diagram for this but if you know enough to attempt this you shouldn't need one. If you don't know what this stuff does please do not attemp to make this. It may be a very simple system but electricity does kill.
Also, did I mention that electricity can kill you? I'm mechanically inclined, so I am a little afraid of electricity.
