Anyone use aquahub float switches?

[digitalreefer]

Has anyone tried these guys? $6.49 for a float switch!
http://www.aquahub.com/store/

 

[regal]

It is just a simple switch. If you are thinking of using it for top off, you need to get the other DIY components to make it work.

 

[digitalreefer]

It is just a simple switch. If you are thinking of using it for top off, you need to get the other DIY components to make it work.

The relay is not necessary (and I think it's cheaper at Radio Shack anyway) and neither is the snail guard (for a sump installation) I do a bit of electronic work and have a project box, heat shrink and a small powerhead laying around at home. I should only need the switch.

 

[jhale]

I can vouch for the madison switchs they are selling.
I have two on my tank and they work great.
I would suggest you use two switchs, make the bottom one opperate
the pump and wire the top one to be a shut off in case the bottom switch gets stuck.

 

[regal]

I don't really trust a switch going into my sump/tank with 110V of electricity. A 22G wire is also a little skimpy to run any 110V pumps.

 

[digitalreefer]

I don't really trust a switch going into my sump/tank with 110V of electricity. A 22G wire is also a little skimpy to run any 110V pumps.

True enough... I probably will use the relay, just to be safe.

 

[KathyC]

I have these same float switches in my ATO system and they are mounted to brackets made from eggcrate. Two of the switches are in my fuge and the third is in the top off tank. Three switches are used so the fuge will neither underfill or overfill (one is mounted upside down & the other right side up) and the one in the top off tank is so the pump won't come on in the event that tank is too low on water.
The relay was used due to the safety concern. I used a small pump and a 12V power supply.
The power supply came from www.jcaquatics.com
It is the 12v adjustable power supply. Shipping from JC Aquatics gets to me overnight (same zone) city might be 2 days.
The instructions from Aquahub suggest a 9v 300ma power supply, but that is incorrect as the relay (?) actually requires 12v so it doesn't prematurely die...just an FYI on that part!

Either myself or Psycho Graphic (he designed the brackets) will post pics later of the switches mounted in the brackets for reference.

The system works great!! I use a 10 g tank for top off water and only have to refill once a week (on a 75g system w/30 g fuge).

 

[digitalreefer]

Either myself or Psycho Graphic (he designed the brackets) will post pics later of the switches mounted in the brackets for reference.
The system works great!! I use a 10 g tank for top off water and only have to refill once a week (on a 75g system w/30 g fuge).

Pics would be awesome... thanks for the advice!

 

[KathyC]

1st pic shows how the bracket and how the switches 'sit' on the baffle in my fuge.
2nd pic is of the float switch mounted in my top off tank (the relay is wired to an extension cord
using heatshrink and it is out of the pic (and harms way!) to the right side of my top off tank.
The 3rd pic is a better view of how the 2 float switches are mounted in the bracket Psycho Graphic
made (the bracket is for his tank, so it's done in black).

Hopefully he will chime in here tomorrow with further info I may have missed.

 

[digitalreefer]

Awesome! Thanks for the pics... I like the idea of the third one in the top off tank. I may do the same.