Adding Float switch to Skimmer

[pommie]

Hi all,

I have a ATB skimmer with four small holes drilled out in the lid.
I also have a profilux float switch that i would like to install inside the skimmer cup.

Q. Is there an easy way to mount this without having to drill holes in my skimmer cup?
Q. Will i have to remove the proflux plug and add it back after feeding the cable through?

Any photos appreciated.

 

[reeftivo]

never done it myself but i probably wouldn't use one of the existing vent holes in the lid to mount a float switch.

the skimmers are balanced and the venting is all part of it. If one hole is choked off it most likely will affect the performance.

 

[slief]

I tapped one of the vent holes in my lid so I could thread this Madison micro float switch into my lid. I needed the micro float which is narrorer so I could clear the lids washdown ring. It worked out well. I was happy to not have to drill any holes in this lid. It had no negative impact on my skimmers peroformance but there is also sufficient venting on my lid.

 

[gotfrogs]

I tapped one of the vent holes in my lid so I could thread this Madison micro float switch into my lid. I needed the micro float which is narrorer so I could clear the lids washdown ring. It worked out well. I was happy to not have to drill any holes in this lid. It had no negative impact on my skimmers peroformance but there is also sufficient venting on my lid.

Do you have a PN for the switch you used?

 

[slief]

Do you have a PN for the switch you used?

It's a Madison M3326 Normally Open

https://www.amazon.com/Madison-M3326-NO-Normally-Subminiature-Polypropylene/dp/B0090918GW/

 

[gotfrogs]

Perfect. Thanks!

 

[Flagg37]

So is the float switch just to alert you that the cup is full or does it activate something like to pump it to a drain?

 

[gotfrogs]

I would use it to alert me and turn my skimmer off.

 

[slief]

So is the float switch just to alert you that the cup is full or does it activate something like to pump it to a drain?

I use it to alert me and also to shut the skimmer off so it doesn't overflow. Activating a drain is a neat idea but it could be a disaster waiting for a place to happen should the skimmer overflow, then activist a drain. That in turn would allow the skimmer to continue to overflow and then permit the ATO to desalinate the tank or if you run kalk, the ramifications could be even worse.

 

[pommie]

Thanks for the info and pics.

How do you go about cleaning the cup lid?
I assume the float switch is plugged into an APEX or Profilux controller?

Cheers

 

[CafeReef]

anyone know of "narrow" float switches? the standard ones I have and use for my apex are to wide to fit into my SCA 301 skimmer. Since I have a cube, my collection cup isn't overly large, but if a more "narrow" float is made for a float switch, it would be perfect.

 

[slief]

anyone know of "narrow" float switches? the standard ones I have and use for my apex are to wide to fit into my SCA 301 skimmer. Since I have a cube, my collection cup isn't overly large, but if a more "narrow" float is made for a float switch, it would be perfect.

As I mentioned, the one I use in my skimmer lid and posted a link to above is a narrow one. It's a Madison M3326 series. They are much narrower than a typical float switch.

 

[bower23]

Nice! I've never been able to find that narrow of a float before. Thanks!

 

[solitude127]

One thing to consider when adding a float switch to your skimmer lid is some sort of quick disconnect so that you can take your lid and clean it as well.

 

[CafeReef]

I use it to alert me and also to shut the skimmer off so it doesn't overflow. Activating a drain is a neat idea but it could be a disaster waiting for a place to happen should the skimmer overflow, then activist a drain. That in turn would allow the skimmer to continue to overflow and then permit the ATO to desalinate the tank or if you run kalk, the ramifications could be even worse.

Thanks Slief, I missed that... Sorry.

Any way I could potentially con you into measuring the width of it when you have a chance?

 

[slief]

Thanks Slief, I missed that... Sorry.

Any way I could potentially con you into measuring the width of it when you have a chance?

From the Madison website.. Dimensions are in this document. The barrel is just over 1/2" wide. Thread is 3/8-16.
https://madisonco.com/images/pdfs/M3326-NO_Subminiature_PP_Float_Switch.pdf

 

[gotfrogs]

So these are much smaller than a normal float switch. I just got mine today.

 

[lagatbezan]

How do you guys wire it so it shuts the skimmer off?

 

[gotfrogs]

I plan on connecting mine to my apex and have it cut power to the skimmer when the cup fills up.

 

[lagatbezan]

Aha so you must use a controller! Any way around it without a controller?