Greetings, just received my float level bracket with 2 optical sensors. My intention was as follows, I have a small chamber in my sump that will fluctuate in level about 4 inches a day (evaporation). I wanted to set up a min level sensor to turn on my RO pump and a max level sensor to turn it off . I was trying the min/max setting as the operational mode in the profilux control, but am having no luck getting it to work properly. I have the 2 sensors running into the splitter and are plugged into level 1 / level 2 input. Does it matter which sensor is plugged into the splitter, be it right or left or is it trial and error. Is there a different way I should be setting this up in the controller. Any input would be appreciated...Kevin
ATO with 2 Optical Sensors help
- Thread starter lor_kev
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this is me
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ATO works the way of triggering the sensor on/off. For an optical sensor, if the water hits the optical tip, it's on. If the water drop, it's off. When the sensor is on, no water is being pumped in. When the sensor is off, it calls for water.
With two sensors, use ATO with 2 sensors. The second level will be automatically disabled in program. However, it uses the second level as a safety.
IMO, you can use just one optical sensor. With a max turn on time, it's safe enough. But the second sensor will provide even more security. It will shut off the pump if the second or first sensor is triggered, which ever is first.
I use ATO with two sensors.
With two sensors, use ATO with 2 sensors. The second level will be automatically disabled in program. However, it uses the second level as a safety.
IMO, you can use just one optical sensor. With a max turn on time, it's safe enough. But the second sensor will provide even more security. It will shut off the pump if the second or first sensor is triggered, which ever is first.
I use ATO with two sensors.
Nick, thank you for your response. I tried the ATO with 2 sensors, but it is not working like I assumed. Perhaps I am not thinking this through properly. I set up the programmer to test how my ATO would work. I plugged my fuge light into the socket to test so as not to keep turning my RO pump off and on. I set my delay to 1 second and timer to 1 minute. I lifted the sensor stand up to bring the lower sensor out of the water, and the socket goes on as it should (calling for water). Now I assumed that this would run for the length of the timer, 1 minute then shut off, but if I submerge the sensor before the minute is up, the socket shuts off. This is a small area of my sump where the level changes by 3-4 inches daily. With this set up, the RO pump will be running many times a day. Is there a way to program the sensors so when the bottom sensor is open (call for water), that my pump runs for 10 minutes or reaches the second sensor, which ever comes first. Thank you for your time...Kevin
this is me
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The beauty of ATO is to have the level as constant as possible. This is why the sensor calls for water as soon as the level drop and turns it off as soon as the level has reached the sensor. Otherwise, there's no need for the sensor if you want to do what you doing which turns on the pump at a certain time for a certain period of time if I understand it correctly.
You can just have the pump plug it the socket and set a timer.
You can just have the pump plug it the socket and set a timer.
this is me
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What you want is a min and max mode if you want the first level act as min and the second level acts as a max. Again, I think that defeats the purpose on an ATO if you allow the level to fluctuate 3-4".
The portion of my 50 gallon sump where I have the level sensors located is near the pump intake, and that 3-4" of level change only represents about 1-2 gallons of water. It will move 3-4" in that area of the sump in a day. I tried the min/max setting with no luck, but perhaps I have to increase the delay.
this is me
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I'm sure you can get the min and max to work the way you want. Make sure the switch or the sensors input are not inverted.
But why do you want your water fluctuate that much when you can have it constant?
But why do you want your water fluctuate that much when you can have it constant?
I guess my thinking was that in the main sump area, the water may deviate 1/8" or less in a day due to evaporation, which in my thinking was asking a lot for a sensor to respond to with water movement and all. In the area of the sump where I was going to locate the sensor, the evaporation from the entire sump was magnified, which would give a more positive reading. Do you know how much elevation change the optical sensor detects? If a single sensor calls for water, does the water level go up a certain amount before it shuts off, if it has not timed out? I have not tried that yet.
this is me
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Kevin,
You have to not test your ATO with the light. Plug the pump in the correct ATO socket and you'll see the beauty of setting up an ATO.
So set your optical level at where you want to maintain your water line, plug the pump in the socket and take a small cup and take out some water. As soon as the water drop from you taking the water, the pump will start and it will stop at the level you have your optical sensor at.
It's time to enjoy a stable salinity level in your tank.
You have to not test your ATO with the light. Plug the pump in the correct ATO socket and you'll see the beauty of setting up an ATO.
So set your optical level at where you want to maintain your water line, plug the pump in the socket and take a small cup and take out some water. As soon as the water drop from you taking the water, the pump will start and it will stop at the level you have your optical sensor at.
It's time to enjoy a stable salinity level in your tank.
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