diy auto top off

[Stile2]

Here is a second layout, a bit more copmplicated, but includes the three leds. Power, Pump and alarm. BTW it would be easy to replace the Alarm LED with a buzzer.

BTW the float switch on the left has to lower than the right one.

If you have questions bring em on.

Keith

 

[orlenz]

Question

I have a setup like this, running a relay,
.
it works good but yeaterday I added the second float switch I wired them parralel and it wont shut off untill the water reaches the top floatswitch. if I wire them in series will that work? I can't see it because when the first switch activates the second switch will still be open and not compleate the 12v circuit, am i missing something?

 

[Stile2]

The float switches have to be in series. The float switches I have turn on when the float is in the down position, so the top float switch is always in the down position and on. The bottom float switch will turn on when the water goes down and turn off when the water raises, unless it fails then the top one shuts the system off.

Does my rambling make sense?

Keith

 

[orlenz]

yeah, that clears it up, I need to wire them in series then, thanks for the help.

 

[orlenz]

Ok

I redid the wiring so they are in series, works like a champ now, Thanks again

 

[bstear]

Anyone going to put up some pictures of how the wiring was done instead of diagrams? Although Stile2's diagrams do look easy to follow.. accompanying pictures would be nice ..

 

[Stile2]

I will be finishing mine in the next couple of days and will post pictures. But I think they will be harder to follow than the diagrams.

Keith

 

[ctxmonitor]

I just tried the to follow the diagram and I think I roasted my switch and 12vDC transformer.. and maybe the relay..

Is there a way to test if the relay is still in working condition..

Here is what I did, I followed this diagram.

I am doing something wrong.

1- 12v DC 500ma transfomer I picked from my computer speaker.
1- Float switch from floatswitches.net
1- 12vdc DPDT relay 275-218 from radioshack

This is what I did.

1. I cut off a computer powercord and connect one end to the pin 3 and 4 and the other end to the walloutlet for electricity.

2. I connect one wire from my speaker 12vdc adapter to pin 8 and the other one to one of the wire on the float switch.

3. I connect the last wire from the float switch to pin 7.

4. I connect the 12vdc adater to the walloutlet for electricity. I didn't connect to pin 3 and 4 as it is the same.

5. I cut and connect a powercord extender to pin 5 and 6.

6. Then I connect a pump to the powercord extender.

That is basically what I did. But now I have a fried switch, transformer..

Anybody know what I did wrong??

 

[Stile2]

I know this is a dumb question but did you possibly get the transformer backwards. I mean did you connect the 12v side of the transformer to the 120v power? This is the only thing I can think of that would blow the transformer, it also explains why the relay blew. I am not sure why the float switch would blow, it can handle the 120v for short periods.

Get an Ohm Meter, test between pins 7 & 8 you should see close to 0 resistance, test between pins 5 & 1 (no resistance), 5 & 3 (infinite resistance), pins 6 & 2 (closed, no resistance), 6 & 4 (open, infinite resistance).

If all those test correctly then you need to connect it to some 12 v source pins 7&8 and see if pins 5&1 and 5&3 trade open and closed, along with pins 6&2 and 6&4.

If it switches with on off of the 12 v then the relay is ok.

sorry about your problems, check your connections carefully. Are you soldering every connection? Make sure the 12 v and 120v go to the right places.

HTH
Keith

 

[Stile2]

I just had another idea. Did you connect what should have gone to pins 7&8 to pins 1&2? This would fry everything except maybe the relay.

 

[tekknoschtev]

I just had another idea. Did you connect what should have gone to pins 7&8 to pins 1&2? This would fry everything except maybe the relay.

Good to know for when I start building mine.

 

[ctxmonitor]

I just had another idea. Did you connect what should have gone to pins 7&8 to pins 1&2? This would fry everything except maybe the relay.

I didn't have anything connected to pin 1&2. What am I suppose to connec to pin 1&2. I thought that is used to connect the led if I decided to put them on, right?

 

[ctxmonitor]

I know this is a dumb question but did you possibly get the transformer backwards. I mean did you connect the 12v side of the transformer to the 120v power?
HTH
Keith

No I didnt. I didn't take out the box that was holding the transformer. I just left it and plug the 12vdc adapter to a wall outlet and the other end to the relay.

 

[Stile2]

Sorry, no insult intended, but I had to ask the obvious mistake questions.

Nothing should be connected to pins 1&2, not even leds if you use them.

I reread what you did and it should have worked. The only thing I can think of is that your transformer was bad to begin with.

I am really sorry, but after that I got nothing.

Keith

 

[ctxmonitor]

none taken, Keith. I am going to try to post some pic and maybe that can help.

Thanks for the help. How is the one you're making going? Any progress?

 

[Stile2]

I have been really busy with family stuff. But I should finish it tonight.

I'll post pic later.

 

[Blazer88]

Does anyone make a 12V water pump? Seems like that would be easier than mixing 120V AC with DC.

 

[Fonchy]

Walmart has the live well water pumps for less than 20.00 and is 12V.

 

[bstear]

Stile you get a chance to finish it up ? Looking forward to seeing pics.

 

[Stile2]

Actually that's what I'm doing right now. Hopefully the wife keeps the kids gone for a few more hours. I'll post pics when I'm done. Shouldn't be to long.

Keith