Float Switch Help

[tamu]

APEX

I have a couple of float switches connected to my breakout box. One float switch I have is tied to my skimmer collection cup and is set to email me when the cup is full (float in OPEN position) and also turn off the protein skimmer pump.

It is normally CLOSED, so as the cup fills up the float switch will go into the OPEN position.

The Apex is sensing that the float switch is going into the OPEN position and sending me the email and turning my pump off. It is only for a spit second because the pump turns right back on.

Is there anything else I need to do to get it from not sensing a false OPEN?

It is a new float switch and I have tested the float with a multimeter and everything seems fine on that end.

 

[RussM]

Post the associated programming, please.

 

[tamu]

Fairly simple for the switch part...

Email
If Switch2 OPEN Then ON

Pump
If Switch2 OPEN Then OFF

-------

It thinks switch2 OPENs sporadically. Sometimes it will go a day with no issues, and sometimes I will get 5 in about an hour.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Is it possible that the float is bouncing on the skimmate?

Something to try that will rally help debug the float would be to create a dummy outlet and have the switch control the outlet. This way you will get a log of the float switch and see it it is really going open or maybe something else is turning on/off at the same time and causing interference.

Add a module (you can use a LunarSim as you only need 1 outlet) and assign it as P01 (it doesn't need to be a real outlet).

Then change the program so this:

If Switch2 OPEN Then OFF
If Switch2 CLOSED Then ON

If you see it bouncing then you could add a Min Time to remove the bounce but I'd 1st like to see what is really going on.

 

[RussM]

If Ken's theory is correct, then try flipping the float vertically, and reversing the program logic... some floats are quite touchy... having it close when the cup is full may provide the more consistent operation desired.

 

[tamu]

Thanks for the replies....

The float is on the lid of a large external collection cup, so it is not getting hit with the skimmate.

I have not had time to mess the the float today or the programming logic, but last night I took the statement out to turn my pump off if the float switch sensed an open, so I was only getting emails for testing purposes.

All of last night and throughout the morning the switch did not report open. The minute my halides came on I got my first "If Switch2 OPEN Then ON" email alerts. I proceeded to get them throughout the day. The halides just went out, so I suspect that I will not get any false positives the rest of the day until the halides come back on tomorrow.

The two wires for the float are run in parallel (with electrical tape holding them together) back to the Apex base unit. I could twist those wires if you think that would help?

I could also flip the float to change it to NO instead of NC operation and change the programming logic.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

You might want NO just so that the pump doesn't turn on when you unplug the float (it might help but I'd guess not). Since you seam to have connected it to the halides be sure the wires are away from the ballast and wiring for the light. If all else fails you could try getting a toroid choke and looping the float switch through it once or twice; that might filter out the noise. Places like Radio Shack has then cheap.

 

[tamu]

I flipped the float operation to NO and change the switch logic to IF CLOSED Then ON and I have not gotten an email alert yet.

Fingers crossed.