Horizontal Float Switch

[Spyderturbo007]

I'm finishing up my mixing station and purchase a bunch of horizontal float switches from BRS.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/float-switch-horizontal-mount.html

Does anyone know how these things are supposed to be installed? When they arrived, the plastic washer / rubber gasket were all in completely different configurations. Meaning some had the plastic washer first, then the gasket, others had the gasket flipped the other way and then the plastic washer, etc.

Of course, there were no instructions anywhere in the bag, nor was there anything on their website. :hmm4:

I slid the narrow part of the rubber gasket in the hole from the inside and then put the plastic washer on the outside and tightened the nut. That seemed to pull the gasket tight against the inside of the barrel. I tested it on a bucket and it seemed to work.

Installing it the way they picture it on their website makes no sense to me. It would make sense to have the larger diameter part of the gasket on the inside of the tank to seal on the inside.

 

[joshbrookkate]

Call their customer service department. I have found them very helpful.

 

[homer1475]

I have a few of these installed in various places. I put the big rubber washer on the inside of the container, and the flat washer on the outside. Works for me.

Never looked at how they have them pictured, just assumed thats how they were supposed to be installed.

 

[worm5406]

@Spyderturbo007

Look at this:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q68uYEmmExs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I know it is from 4 years ago and the guys in the video look young, but they are still there.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

@Spyderturbo007

Look at this:

Thanks for the link worm, but that video is only for the auto shut off valves. Not the horizontal float switch I posted a picture of above.

 

[worm5406]

Sorry. In looking at it I assumed the nut and rubber washers setup was basically the same on that end.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

I did a chat with BRS and was told that the way I installed it is correct. The rubber gasket actually gets installed opposite from the way it is shown in the picture. The larger diameter portion of the gasket goes on the inside. Then the plastic washer and nut go on the outside.

Quick question about NC and NO. It says that it ships so when the float is down the circuit is NC and when the float is up (horizontal) it is open.

Does that mean that I can flip the float portion and then turn the entire thing upside down if I want the float to be NO when the float is down?

I'm confusing myself :crazy1: so I thought another picture might help.

 

[air2mag]

That's for posting this Spyder. I got my switches today and had the same question about the mounting. I'll shoot BRS an email and maybe Ryan can add some instruction to his site.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

One thing I learned about these today, is that their website is wrong. You can't change the switch from NC to NO.

Their website says

"Recommended for water applications like level controllers, auto top systems or other aquarium uses

Normally closed or normally open (see more)
14” leads (22 gauge wire)
M16 straight threading - includes nut and silicon o-ring"

You can pull the float portion off, but it you can't put it on the other side.