auto topp off solenoid

[Bergovoy]

Hello,

I put together an auto top off device that works well, except the solenoid valve that I got from McMaster Carr does not fully shut off the water when in the closed position.

This is obviously a big problem.

I am getting water directly from the RO/DI filter which has the pressurized storage tank.

Is that too much pressure for that valve?

Do I need to put in some type of restrictor to reduce the pressure, (maybe a valve to close off or choke down) ?

Let me know if there are otehr valves / solenoids that are proven successful

Thanks

Bill

 

[sarwa]

Bill,

I commend people who try to do DIY projects but I always thought that there are things you don't take risks on. Auto top off is one of them. Besides, the auto top off controllers (i.e. Reefanatic, Tunze, etc.) on the market are nicely priced so you're not saving much by making your own.

Sorry but not much of an answer for you question but just my $0.02.

 

[Bergovoy]

I agre that the price was not the issue, but the simple design was something that could be easy to do. And with teh parts supposedly spelled out for in the diy section and confirmed by mfg specs, I felt comfortable doing this.

It actually came out pretty nice, (Except of course the leaking solenoid valve)

I am not sure if a mfg's item would have had the same potential for failure as this device. Certainly I dont think it a matter of assembley, but rather one of a poor or faulty part. (Just my guess though at this point)

But from what I have read on here and in the diy section, rarely is it a matter of saving money, just the ability to tinker when it is within ones ability and tools they may have access to.

but this is just my $0.02 also...

 

[OranguTang]

I am running a DIY top off system like yours and I havent had this problem. I am leaning towards too much pressure for the pump to hold while off.

 

[JenDub]

Try reversing the input & output lines, if you have the flow backwards it will leak. Also, you need to have a auto shutoff piston that hydraulically stops the flow of water.

FYI- I like to use 2 solenoids in series to avoid the stuck in the on position solenoid failure

 

[GTR]

I wouldn't have an ATO hooked up to an endless water supply. To me that's asking for trouble and I have far to many animals to risk it's failure. JMO

SteveU

 

[Bergovoy]

ACtually Charles, (Assumption there , sorry) you were correct. I was in the process of taking the ATO apart when I noticed teh word "IN" where the outlet tubing was!!!

I hate that when that happens.

it does not leak.

I actually will be putting the ato on a timer so that it will only fill twice a day for a limited period. (first back up system).

I will probably install a second solenoid for the stuck in open failure, (second back up / fail-safe)

And other then that, there would be no way to have an ATO without an endless supply of water? Unless you want a partial ATO, which of course would not be an A TO

I could always install a very high limit switch which could switch off the supply line to teh RO/DI filter as well, which could be a third back up / fail safe, which would be a complete seperate system, then I could go on and on with countless other backups to the backups...

But I think as long as I am here, (not on a trip or anything), that I will always be checking on things daily, (at least), that there should not be a problem witht eh two or three backups that I will have in place

 

[tptp279]

well, just watch out for TDS creep because if your RO runs too often for a short amount of time, the water coming out of the RO is not as "clean". But i have the same setup as you but mine runs into a kalk reactor.

 

[Bergovoy]

My ATO has a latching relay so the water will not fill until both the high and low limit switch is activated, (low water), this will then dose about 2 gallon, and if I have the timer set right, it will dose about a gallon or more per timer activation. ( approx 2-4 minutes )

This all to avoid the tds creep issue and prevent the water from running full time.

I also built in an over ride button so if I should see that the water is low, (from the high limit switch), but not yet tripped the low limit switch, I can press teh override switch to bypass everything and dose FW until the high limit switch is activated

It is a good system, with as many backups as I want to add.

I also installed a circuit breaker to reset instead of a fuse. And teh electronic portion of hte relay is insde the box, with the actuqal valve (wet side) is outside the box. No chance of getting water insdie teh box.

I will take pictures of it later. (I would like to get access to a labeler)

But it is a pretty cool ATO and I kind of did a decent job on it also. Too bad it has over a hundred bucks in parts in it otherwise I could make some money on the deal...

Maybe I should see if I can access to teh parts at wholesale...

 

[mnestroy]

Bergovoy: I'm all for doing what your saying, but it seems like others don't understand all the fail safes or enjoy having to fill a bucket every few days...

I've been preaching on other post with redundancy like you speak of there is no reason why this type of ATO shouldn't be idea...

Please share some photos and more details of what you accomplished, sounds very solid.

 

[pfish]

I'm using red hat stainless steel solenoid valves, they are expensive but very reliable. I bought mine from grainger. They have a huge selection to chose from. They shut off when told to.