Apex- Turn Return pump off when optical sensor reached

[Crimsonvice]

So I am wanting to program my return pump to turn off when the top optical sensor on my ATK is reached. For all you Apex programming gurus, would this be how I would program it?

Returnpump code:

Fallback ON
Set ON
If FeedA 005 Then OFF
If Swx3_2 OPEN Then OFF

ATK code:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Swx3_1 OPEN Then ON
If Swx3_2 CLOSED Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:04 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF

 

[Sleepydoc]

So Swx3_1 is the lower switch on the ATK mount and Swx3_2 is the upper switch on the mount, correct?

The way you have your return pump programmed, ("If Swx3_2 OPEN Then OFF",) the return pump will not turn on unless the upper switch is submerged. I think what you want is "If Swx3_2 CLOSED Then OFF"

Can I ask why you want to program it this way/what you're trying to accomplish?

 

[Crimsonvice]

I was mostly just playing around with code. I just got the Apex and was trying to figure it out.

I was thinking of using it in case of a stuck ATO pump, but realized that it wasn't gonna do what I was thinking.

 

[Sleepydoc]

The problem with that is that turning off the return pump generally lets water siphon down to the sump and increases the water level, so turning off the return is usually the wrong thing to do in that situation.

The modes of failure that I can think of for the ATK being stuck on would be:

• Lower sensor failure missing a high water level
• Combined lower & Upper sensor failure missing high water levels
• Siphoning of water into sump
• Failure of the relay in the FMM/EB832

The first mode would be covered by the upper sensor serving as a backup, the max time allowance in the code, and the mechanical float valve
The second mode would be covered by the max time allowance in the code and the float valve
The third can occur without any active power, so the prevention would be the included siphon break and the mechanical float. (as well as properly positioning your tubing so as to prevent siphoning in the first place.)
The last method of failure is the most concerning - Apex can send an alarm if it's running, but if the relay fails in the on position, the only way to stop it would be the mechanical float valve and/or having enough excess capacity in your sump such that the ATO reservoir won't cause a flood.