using an electic solenoid valve for autotop off

[rhymechizel]

Currently I am using a float valve for autotop off. I have an emergency drain just in case this fails although this will save from water damage, my corals would not like the drop in salinity if the float valve fails. I was thinking of using a solenoid valve that would be connected to my apex and would close when the salinity drops. I just dont know exaclty how to do this.

here is the valve I was thinking about.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-120V-AC...-VAC-FREE-SHIPPING-/290909116107#ht_859wt_684

How would I hook this to my apex power bar? any help would be appreciated

 

[Nanoreef28]

There are several ways you could make it work. There is a product called the level loc. Im not sure that they are being made anymore but brs has a video of one. It is a similar system to what you want. You can just wire a plug on to that solenoid you linked or you could get a 12v solenoid and use a float switch. When I used the level loc I had it on a timer. So I had three fail safes. The timer, the float switch and then the manual float. You could also run it through your apex and make a salinity rule and only let it run for a certain amount of time a couple times a day. If you use a 12 volt solenoid then you just need a 12v transformer to plug in to a outlet. Hope this helps.

 

[slief]

I'm not sure I would use that valve. This is where I get my solenoid valves from. They make high quality ones that last years and have no metal parts. This assuming you use the right ones.
http://www.stcvalve.com/Process_Valves.htm#0

I use the 2P025 1/4 - 3 which is an all nylon/plastic, normally closed 110v solenoid with 1/4" female NPT threads. That will accommodate john guest style push lock fittings as well as other fittings. They have other sizes as well.

I use these same valves as a fail safe for my ATO and also to insure there is no siphoning as my dosing pump used for my ATO is about 6' high and my RODI holding tank 5' tall and well above my sump too. I also use one for my skimmer wash down which is attached to a hose spigot in an adjacent closet and runs a 1/4" line to the lid of my skimmer so I can rinse my skimmers collection cup as need through Apex control.

In the 4 or 5 years that I have been using these valves, I have yet to have one fail. I do however keep a spare valve on hand just in case.

 

[rhymechizel]

Thanks for the info. Slief, the valve you mentioned, how do you link it to the apex? Can you just wire a standard plug to it? It sounds like a great valve so thanks for sharing.

 

[zachfishman]

Autotopoff.com has everything you'd need. You could buy a simple float switch and connect it to your APEX to control one of their solenoids, or skip the APEX and use one of their switch controllers: http://autotopoff.com/products/

 

[dadany2]

I was thinking of doing something similar with my Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off.

I will run 2 solenoids back-to-back for redundancy and hook them up to open directly from the ro/di unit in place of the osmolator pump. This will provide a steady top-off of zero tds water to the sump.

I found the solenoids on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-Inch-Pl...id-Valve-Normally-Closed-12V-DC-/121146805630

WIC Valve 2PCK Series 1/4" Inch NPT 2 Way Normally Closed Engineered Plastic Pneumatic Air, Gas, Water Electric Solenoid Valve 12V DC Zero Differential Valve (Stainless Steel Armature Tube)

 

[r-balljunkie]

i now use two solenoids....works great. I havent had to think about my top off for awhile, sleep much better knowing there's two proofs needed for to activate the top off function.

 

[rhymechizel]

I knew I couldnt be the only one wanting to use a solenoid valve. I ordered a valve off of autotopoff.com just because it had a plug and was ready to go. It was a little more expensive at $25 but I like the idea of it being ready to go.

 

[slief]

Thanks for the info. Slief, the valve you mentioned, how do you link it to the apex? Can you just wire a standard plug to it? It sounds like a great valve so thanks for sharing.

It's a two wire cable coming off the solenoid. I soldered on a extension cord and plugged have them plugged into relay outlets on my EB8's. You could also just attach a standard screw on power plug from the hardware store but the wires are short so you may need an extension cord to extend that. These are much better solenoids than the ones from Auto Top Off and eBay.

 

[woodwrangler]

http://www.stcvalve.com/Process_Valves.htm#0

I use the 2P025 1/4 - 3 which is an all nylon/plastic, normally closed 110v solenoid with 1/4" female NPT threads. That will accommodate john guest style push lock fittings as well as other fittings. They have other sizes as well.

I'm getting ready to order a couple of these valve (thanks for the link), and have a question: The 2P025 1/4-3 states for use with "air service", while the 2P025 1/4S-3 states for use with "air,water,liquid service". Wetted surfaces on the 1/4S shows as nylon and stainless. What are the surfaces with the regular, non "S" valves?

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[coseal]

I was thinking of doing something similar with my Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off.

I will run 2 solenoids back-to-back for redundancy and hook them up to open directly from the ro/di unit in place of the osmolator pump. This will provide a steady top-off of zero tds water to the sump.

I found the solenoids on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-Inch-Pl...id-Valve-Normally-Closed-12V-DC-/121146805630

WIC Valve 2PCK Series 1/4" Inch NPT 2 Way Normally Closed Engineered Plastic Pneumatic Air, Gas, Water Electric Solenoid Valve 12V DC Zero Differential Valve (Stainless Steel Armature Tube)

i use one of these to fill an ato container. i was always under the impression that its not good to go directly to the r/0 unit due to TDS creep.

i use one of the linked solenoids but in the 1/4"npt variety. i found it to get pretty hot after a few mins. so I'm not sure if you would want to put it in a situation to where it stays energized for long periods of time without cooling. i rigged up a fan and that helped a lot.





i just wired the fan in with the solenoid so they both activate at the same time. 1000ma power supply i think is what i used.