Does anyone use a top off without a relay?

[whirley]

Just thinking.....did anyone DIY a top off without a relay?

I'm thinking of making one with out a relay, just for salt water changes only.

I currently have a top off unit with relay that pushes RO/DI water into the tank.

What I'm aiming to do is setup something on a 10 minute timer that pushes salt water back into the tank. This would be for water changes only.

More or less, durring water changes, I would take out 5 gallons of water from the tank. Turn on a 10 minuate timer that pushes salt water from a reserior back into the tank, via float switch.

The electrical current would only run for < 10 min.

thoughts?

 

[Ehgemus]

I have been running a auto top off for 5 mouths without a relay but it is on a super small pump.

 

[CoolUsername]

It will likely limit the lifespan of the top off switch. There is significant arcing that occurs at 120V (compared to 9-12v). The reed switches are not designed for.

 

[OC00l]

if the switch is built for 120v I would think it shouldnt be a problem right?

will

 

[BeanAnimal]

wrong

Those little float switches have tiny little reeds in them. They can say anything that manufacturer wants them to say. Reality is a bit different. The big problem is the back EMF pulse created when the motor shuts off. In addition it's best when possible to keep the mains voltage out of the tank.

 

[CoolUsername]

Yeah another vote for not electricuting yourself. 120V can kill you. 12V will never kill you.

 

[King-Kong]

Well a GFCI should solve that problem, shouldn't it?

I've been running a non-relayed switch for a year now on a very tiny pump (aprox $10-15 from petsmart). So far the first switch has not failed. I have a backup above it which is also fine.

To help cut down on the risk, I have the entire switch plugged into a timer, so I only refill the sump for 3 periods a day reducing the on/off cycles.

 

[jocoboz]

Yes a GFI would protect you from the 120vac but why pay $17 -$25 to replace a $5 relay. A 12vdc wall wart that we all have laying around from some long lost piece of electronic equipment and the float switch in series with the coil of the relay will do the job.

 

[ziac]

i been useing a top off with out a relay for about a year too but i use an aqau lifter pump it does not use much power or pump much water and i have not had any trouble

 

[dngspot]

I use a simple float valve that is fed by my ro/di unit. I have had it for a year and has been working fine. If I had snails in my sump this could be a problem. Still it works great.

 

[strittmatter]

it does not matter how small the pump is....if you are not using a really you are putting a 120V in your tank that little $5 float switch can not handle that....you may be saying that i have had it over a year with no problem but you are playing with fire big time. Go to Radio shack and buy a realy your family will thank you for it. If you do not know how to wire it do a search there are threads that show you how....Long story short do not get killed over a $5 part do it right.