DIY Auto-Top off with Solenoid

[neptune299]

Sorry.... I forgot about that. My other question is the wires being in the tank since a hang on is being used. If the soldered connections inside the switch are getting wet, I'm sure it would corrode it or short it out. Right? My sump is a 55 gal aquarium and the water level rises about 6 inches when the pumps turn off. That presents a problem with mounting this switch so that it does not get entirely submerged, wires and all. ?

 

[tang_man_montreal]

If I'm not mistaken the wire leads on the floatswitch are 12" to 18"... however even if that still isn't long enough, you could solder the leads, and before isolating them with heatshrink tubing, put some aquarium safe silicone, so that while shrinking the tubing, it will create a water resistant barrier.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Bringing this thread back up again, have any of you come across a solenoid without brass or copper innards?

 

[neptune299]

I ordered 3 Asco Red-Hat USM826079 with wetted cores. You can check their website for the specs.

 

[neptune299]

I got the info from JFinch, just read above a few posts.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

neptune299,

Thanks for the lead on that solenoid... Looking at the specs, I wasn't able to conclude whether it was available with threaded ends like the mcmaster unit. I only saw pipe and compression fitting ends. Is that the only way it comes?

Do you have a pic of yours?

 

[dwall174]

Does anyone know of an alternative AC float switch? I have glass sumps and I would like to avoid drilling them.

Here's a site I just found the other dayautotopoff.com They have hang on float switches so you won't need to drill the tank! They also have a Polypropylene Solenoid Valve for RO units! They don't say anything about the weted parts? But it might be worth looking into?

 

[tricky]

Aquatic Reef Systems has a 24VAC solenoid, all plastic inside. It is not listed on their website, but you could post in their sponsors forum or call them for more info. It has 1/4" female NPT fittings.

 

[neptune299]

 

[tang_man_montreal]

dwall174,
The solenoid at autotopoff.com is the same Mcmaster solenoid. It has brass parts inside.

Here's another solenoid that has wetted parts available at AQUATEC! http://www.purewater4u.com/store/Aquatec.shtml

WETTED MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION: Polypropylene, EPDM, 300 and 400 Series Stainless Steel.

POWER REQUIREMENTS: ESO 460: 24 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 150 mA; ESO DC-100: 24 VAC or VDC, 120 mA

INLET PRESSURE/ORIFICE: ESO 460: 45 psi max. with .093" dia. orifice; ESO 460: 100 psi max. with .062" dia. orifice; ESO DC-100: 100 psi max. with .093" dia. orifice.

FITTINGS: 1/4" black inlet and 1/4" white outlet Jaco fittings as standard. 1/4" gray John Guest fittings optionally available at slight cost premium.

And at $25, it's great!

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Thanks Neptune299 for the pics!
If I can't find that one locally, I will go with the Aquatec one.

 

[dwall174]

dwall174,
The solenoid at autotopoff.com is the same Mcmaster solenoid. It has brass parts inside.

Thanks thats what I figured also being that it was only $35.00

Aquatic Reef Systems has a 24VAC solenoid, all plastic inside.

Thanks I will check that out!

 

[Zephrant]

Thanks for the links all- Those look great.

Zeph

 

[RicoJ]

neptune299 where did you get your solenoid from? How do you provide electricity to it?

 

[neptune299]

Go to Asco's website and see who the nearest dealer is. They take 120v.

 

[baja_hammer2003]

has anyone used a true 316 stainless steel solenoid with stainless wetted parts with viton seals? just wondering

 

[Old Yeller Tang]

I was going to post in this thread to see if anybody is still using this setup. Mine is still working great for more than 2yrs!

 

[cali_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6383672#post6383672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Old Yeller Tang
I was going to post in this thread to see if anybody is still using this setup. Mine is still working great for more than 2yrs!

Mine too..

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Me three..

 

[clkohly]

Why would the brass parts matter? The solenoid should go before that RO/DI unit and thus have all the copper filter out. Remember what all your houses pipes are made of.