Anyone ever get a float switch from this guy?

[glaze]

http://www.floatswitches.net/floatswitch.html

I'm just curious. $6 shipped sounds great. I know squat about plumbing so I hope I can just order this, put it in my sump, hook up to my reservoir, and have maintenance free water level control.


Anyone?

 

[Anonymous]

I just ordered two from him off ebay. This is just a float switch, so you are a long way from having a auto top-off system. Plus, you should have two float switches connected in series to protect yourself from when one fails open. A single float switch has lead to many disasters over the years. With float switches, it is not a matter of "if" they fail, it is a matter of "when" they fail.

Design your system accoringly.

Louey

 

[xrunner123]

Plus, you should have two float switches connected in series to protect yourself from when one fails open.Louey

Don't you mean in parallel?

 

[Anonymous]

No, I mean in series. The reason is so that both float switches have to be calling for water to engage the circuit. If either fails, meaning stuck in the on position, then the circuit is not engaged. The ideas if to create a fail-safe against the possibility of flooding your tank and house. A parallel circuit would mean if either float switch closes, your circuit would engage.

Louey

 

[glaze]

Hey, thanks for the info. Keep me posted on how well it works or if anyone has experiences or recommendations with other float switches or float valves.

My strategy will be to use a reservoir that's only 3 gallons. It means I have to refill more often (every 4-5 days for me), but limits the amount of potential damage from a complete drainage due to stuck-open valve. In fact, I like to keep my sump level low as insurance against this and the more important risk: back-siphon from a return.

 

[Anonymous]

You should be fine using it in that manner. I am sure that float switch will serve it's intended purpose.

How are you planning to mount the float switch?

How are you going to wire it to your pump?

Just curious. :wink:

Louey