Tunze ATO and Neptune Apex

[Bud420]

I have the Tunze ATO and think it is an excellent ATO. I also have the Neptune apex controller. What I was wondering is if I can use the Tunze controller and float to be the switch for multiple pumps through the I/O breakout box of the Apex? I would like to use the controller to control a pump in a freshwater reservoir for evaporation top ups and a pump in a saltwater reservoir to do small regular water changes. I have a pretty good idea on how to program the apex to do this just not sure if I can use the controller as the switch to turn off the pumps once the sump has been refilled back to the sensor level while ran through the breakout box?

 

[aleithol]

From other threads on Tunze and Neptune Community Forums I've read, there is not a way to do this and maintain warranty and integrity of the Osmolator, since you'd have to cut and tap into it's wires.

I have an Osmolator that does it's thing well, but use another float in my RODI reservoir next to my sump that is connected to my Apex BOB managing when "the ATO Refill Box" needs more water, then once a day I let my Apex turn on a solenoid switch to do that, using both the maximum minutes I let the box refill each day and a mechanical switch on the RODI line coming into the box as safeties should my primary refill float or that solenoid fail. I also have separate high and low sump floats connected to my BOB that will turn the right pumps and devices off, including my Osmolator that is plugged into an EB8, should something unexpected occur with water levels. Separate floats are pretty cheap from various places I'm sure you've found -- for me, it's more of having to find space to put everything.

 

[gregr]

Would an inexpensive standard solenoid valve accomplish the same thing? The solenoid can be controlled by the state of an inexpensive float switch and in the program for all the pumps you want to control insert something like:
--If Outlet [solenoid] = OFF/ON Then OFF/ON as desired for each pump's purpose
--Defer or Min Time statement as needed

That ebay links are random- I don't know the sellers.

 

[aleithol]

Would an inexpensive standard solenoid valve accomplish the same thing? The solenoid can be controlled by the state of an inexpensive float switch and in the program for all the pumps you want to control insert something like:
--If Outlet [solenoid] = OFF/ON Then OFF/ON as desired for each pump's purpose
--Defer or Min Time statement as needed

That ebay links are random- I don't know the sellers.

Yes, that's what I do to control refill of the RODI water box my Osmolator draws from.

...but given solenoids can fail ON and it's tough to judge their quality or how long they will be in good service, I have a float connected to a BOB switch first telling my Apex when that solenoid needs to be on, but my programming limits it to be on for a maximum number of minutes each day (based on approx time to replenish RODI used each day and just a bit more), as well as there is a backup mechanical switch/float in my refill box not part of the Apex that turns the RODI line off coming from the solenoid to further reduce the possibility of excess water overflowing onto the floor should my controller and/or electricity to one or more components be interrupted ... i.e. Backups-for-Backups.

 

[Bud420]

Thank you all for the info, but I think you are misunderstanding what I want to do. My plan was to have 3 pumps in total:
Pump 1 dump pump in sump to drain a set amount of water per day at a set time. Once drained have BOB turn Pump 2 on
Pump 2 in a saltwater reservoir to replace water I just drained out and have ATO sensor turn off pump 2 when water level back to set height. Then have pump 2 turn off until next day and have Pump 3 turn on the rest of the time
Pump 3 in freshwater reservior to be on the rest of the time when not doing water changes to refill evaporated water.
I already control the reservior refills safely
I would just like the Tunze sensor to control Pump 2 and 3 and not just pump 3
My thinking was that the controller part of the Tunze ATO is a float switch I would just like to program it through BOB to control multiple pumps.
If I can't do that I guess I will have to make another switch and float to do the water changes and I will just have the ATO do what it is suppossed (to refill the evaporated water). I will just have ATO turn off just before the dump pump turns on, and have a float set at same height as ATO sensor to refill with salt water. So the alarm doesn't go off when the ATO turns back on or I don't add extra freshwater and screw up the salinity over time. I was really hoping I could get double use out of that sensor as it has been very reliable at keeping the water level for me over the years.

 

[Mark Bianco]

You are correct you need to add another float switch and here is the reason why. The Apex breakout box puts an (unknown) small voltage on each of the terminals 1 - 6 then when the float switch or dry contact closes this is transferred thru the switch to the common and the controller sees continuity. The Tunes also puts out an (unknown) small voltage to its switches basically works the same way, But both cannot accept any other voltage back into their own controller or breakout box..

Mark

 

[Bud420]

Thanks Mark another float switch it is.

 

[Pilothouse]

I have the Tunze ATO and think it is an excellent ATO. I also have the Neptune apex controller. What I was wondering is if I can use the Tunze controller and float to be the switch for multiple pumps through the I/O breakout box of the Apex? I would like to use the controller to control a pump in a freshwater reservoir for evaporation top ups and a pump in a saltwater reservoir to do small regular water changes. I have a pretty good idea on how to program the apex to do this just not sure if I can use the controller as the switch to turn off the pumps once the sump has been refilled back to the sensor level while ran through the breakout box?

 

[Pilothouse]

I have read about and want to try adding a dpdt relay with a 120v coil, wired up so that you can plug it into an outlet on the Apex when your salinity is low you activate the out let which triggers the coil. you wire two pumps from the tunze thru the coil, so when the outlet is off the fresh water pump will run (when needed), when the outlet is on the saltwater pump will run.