DIY Auto Top off kit - Premium

[andywe]

I got this unit in from BRS and must say I am rather impressed. It went together easily, and using a small pump I had and an additonal $1.98 purchase of an extension chord, I now just fill my top off resevoir and let the rest of the system go from there for under 40 dollars.

I tried to post the link to the item on BRS's site but it is missing from the web page now for BRS.

The kit is made by Aquahub and details can be found at http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html

I encourage anyone who has tanks in a place where installing plumbing and an RO unit next to the tank isn't possible to take a look.

Andy

 

[NeveSSL]

Good to know and thanks for posting. I'm thinking about getting one of these for my little bro's tank.

Brandon

 

[sandalscout]

Andy, were you talking about this setup @ the meeting today? I was in Wayne's equipment room and overheard part of it, and meant to ask you more about it. Just saw this, sounds like a good setup, and I've eyeing them for a while, just hadn't seen much feedback on them.

 

[andywe]

Yes, it was the one I was talking about. Someone also brought up the Autotopoff.com version, but that is more expensive for the same function.

Autotopoff.com's basic unit is $50.00, but isn't a low voltage. Their even more expensive version offers a low voltage setup, but the aquagub took about 20 minutes to put together and thus far works pretty darn good!

The BRS link is working again. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Auto-.../DIY-Top-it-Off-Kit-Premium/product_info.html

 

[waynesworld]

If anyone is ordering them I would take one too for my new 90. I see BRS is out for now

 

[sandalscout]

BRS has them back in stock, I ordered one last week and hooked it up Thursday night. The instructions are sort of "ghetto-fied" in their approach, but VERY detailed with good pictures. The ghetto part of it is that they used a knife to make all of their holes. I used my drill press to make all of my holes, shrink wrapped all of the crimp fittings, and instead of cutting a notch in the box, I drilled it and feed the wires through it BEFORE hooking them all up. It turned out very nice and clean looking, took maybe 30 minutes to assemble and is working great. I will probably be getting another one for my 55 as soon as I sump it.

Thanks for the heads up Andy.

 

[andywe]

Im glad it worked out. I also see that Aquahub has added another version for 10 dollars more that includes 3 float switches, so allows you to monitor the reservoir as well!!

 

[james3370]

yeah i was gonna order the 3-float but have decided to go 2-float from brs & get the discount as well

 

[andywe]

James,

You can buy an additional float swicth and revers it to open. You then add it right into the system and your done.

If you want I can tell you how to adapt it, and what to buy.

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14805994#post14805994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andywe
James,

You can buy an additional float swicth and revers it to open. You then add it right into the system and your done.

If you want I can tell you how to adapt it, and what to buy.

i would if i was using 1 reservoir, but have decided instead of assembling another tank i'll just 2 or 3 of these plastic containers i have that will fit in the area i want to put them. then use a t-fitting or 2 so the ato pump draws from all of them at one time. should give me about 5gal combined volume, so it won't run dry on me real quick

if it gets to be a problem down the road, i might build the addl ato tank & then do a run-dry on it

 

[NeveSSL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14805067#post14805067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sandalscout
BRS has them back in stock, I ordered one last week and hooked it up Thursday night. The instructions are sort of "ghetto-fied" in their approach, but VERY detailed with good pictures. The ghetto part of it is that they used a knife to make all of their holes. I used my drill press to make all of my holes, shrink wrapped all of the crimp fittings, and instead of cutting a notch in the box, I drilled it and feed the wires through it BEFORE hooking them all up. It turned out very nice and clean looking, took maybe 30 minutes to assemble and is working great. I will probably be getting another one for my 55 as soon as I sump it.

Thanks for the heads up Andy.

I now know the truth about you, Matt. Only a true Black Tape Ninja would shrink-wrap his connections. I am very proud.




Brandon

 

[sandalscout]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14806123#post14806123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
I now know the truth about you, Matt. Only a true Black Tape Ninja would shrink-wrap his connections. I am very proud.




Brandon

Hell's yeah! Now that my secret is out, I can start wearing my headband to the club meetings!

 

[andywe]

That's the one that's pink with lime colored butterflies, right?

 

[NeveSSL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14808594#post14808594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sandalscout
Hell's yeah! Now that my secret is out, I can start wearing my headband to the club meetings!

You should!

But making "hell" possessive was uber nerdy, man. :lol:

Brandon

 

[james3370]

so how big is the box for the electronics??? is it a basic project box like at cellphone shack...errrr i mean radio shack??? where are most people mounting it?? any concerns w/ moisture??

 

[sandalscout]

James, yep, just like those boxes at Radioshack. I think it is about 2x3x1.5 or so, but it was in metric. Mine is mounted in my stand with the rest of my electronics in a drawer, but if you were careful, you could silicone it up tight to ensure more waterproofing. The sensor leads are between 4 and 5 feet long, and then the electrical leads will only be limited by the extension cord you use to make the unit.

Brandon, yeah, I can't help that.

 

[NeveSSL]

:lol: At least you're not in denial.

Brandon

 

[andywe]

James,

The project block inside is actually a pretty durable part. If you have moisture concerns, a little electrical grease will help on the contacts. Mine sits on the far side of my stand, but when I permanently mount is I am just going to velcro it to a sidewall.

 

[james3370]

i just wondered how long the leads were so as to figure out where to mount it. looks as though i'll have more than enough to mount it on the shelf above my sump out of direct moisture/evaporation contact

 

[andywe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14805067#post14805067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sandalscout
BRS has them back in stock, I ordered one last week and hooked it up Thursday night. The instructions are sort of "ghetto-fied" in their approach, but VERY detailed with good pictures. The ghetto part of it is that they used a knife to make all of their holes. I used my drill press to make all of my holes, shrink wrapped all of the crimp fittings, and instead of cutting a notch in the box, I drilled it and feed the wires through it BEFORE hooking them all up. It turned out very nice and clean looking, took maybe 30 minutes to assemble and is working great. I will probably be getting another one for my 55 as soon as I sump it.

Thanks for the heads up Andy.

Matt,

Where do you get your shrink tubing around here. I have a little left but in Seattle, I had a few real electronic stroed I could get it at, Please don't tell me radio shack is it here?