ATO container low water sensor

[Grayhead]

I had a JBJ auto top off for several years. I recently upgraded to a tunze ato. I no longer have a sensor letting me know when my ato container in low. Is there a way I can rig a sensor and adapt my apex to refill the container remotely? I use the brs rodi with a booster pump.

 

[BrettDS]

The easy way to do it is to use float switches. I have something similar set up on my AWC reservoir. There is a float switch at the bottom connected to the apex breakout box. When the float switch triggers the apex shuts off the AWC, and turns on my RO filter (which is controlled by a 120V solenoid switch plugged in to one of the outlets on my EB8). The RO water fills the reservoir until it triggers a float switch at the top of the reservoir, which tells the apex to shut off the RO filter and email me so that I know to add salt to the reservoir and turn the AWC back on once I'm happy that the salt has been mixed in and the SG is correct. (Obviously you wouldn't need to worry about this part)

The RO water inlet on the reservoir goes through a mechanical float valve that is set to shut off the water a little higher than the top float switch as an added backup in case the float switch fails. This is a new set up for me and I haven't timed it yet to determine how long it takes for the RO filter to fill the reservoir, but I also plan to implement an additional safeguard that will only allow the RO filter to be on for a bit longer than it normally takes to fill the reservoir. That way even if the float switch and float valve fail the apex will still shut off the RO filter before there's a huge flood.

 

[TheYellowSnow]

What solenoid did you get?

 

[BrettDS]

This one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30159313649...49&var=600481074483&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

He has 12V and 120V ones on the same auction, so be sure you select the one you want. I did 120V and just got a lamp cord and crimp on connectors at home depot, but you could get a 12V adapter and use the 12V one as well if you wanted.

 

[MrZoa]

thanks!!!

 

[TheYellowSnow]

Wow. You trust that?

hmm

this is what I was looking at.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/121/499/=y723i3
"Polycarbonate Solenoid Valves
with Push-to-Connect Tube Fittings"

What if yours starts the leak?
How long have you been using it?

hmmm

 

[BrettDS]

Wow. You trust that?

Trust is a strong word, but I'm comfortable with it because it's not a single point of failure... I didn't get into it above, but the water actually has to get through two solenoids to get out... there is one on the input side of the RO filter, then the output of the RO filter goes through a T and there are two more solenoids... one on each side of the T. One branch goes to my ATO and the other goes to fill the NSW reservoir. The apex only turns on each branch as needed and turns the solenoid that feeds the RO filter only when one or both branches are calling for water.

Additionally, even if both solenoids were to fail, both outlets have mechanical float valves, so it would take a number of failures before I'd have any flooding. I also have the apex ALD module with sensors in and around the tank stand, so if something does flood I should be alerted pretty quickly.

I've been using the solenoids for only two or three weeks now, so I don't have any long term data on reliability yet, but like I said, I'm comfortable that even if it fails I'm not going to be flooded.

 

[moe103]

The easy way to do it is to use float switches. I have something similar set up on my AWC reservoir. There is a float switch at the bottom connected to the apex breakout box. When the float switch triggers the apex shuts off the AWC, and turns on my RO filter (which is controlled by a 120V solenoid switch plugged in to one of the outlets on my EB8). The RO water fills the reservoir until it triggers a float switch at the top of the reservoir, which tells the apex to shut off the RO filter and email me so that I know to add salt to the reservoir and turn the AWC back on once I'm happy that the salt has been mixed in and the SG is correct. (Obviously you wouldn't need to worry about this part)

Revisiting an old thread- Brett how are the float switches connected to the Apex? Through a breakout box?

Thanks

 

[BrettDS]

Revisiting an old thread- Brett how are the float switches connected to the Apex? Through a breakout box?



Thanks

Yes, they are connected through a breakout box. On a side note, I posted this nearly 4 years ago and my cheap eBay float switches are still going strong. I haven't had any failures.