float switch.. ATO help

[Nate82]

If i bought this float switch http://cgi.ebay.com/Liquid-Level-Fl...ptZLH_DefaultDomain_2?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116 how would I go about making an Auto top off for my 5.5 pico? I know (at least I think i do) that I won't be able to just plug a powerhead into it and go so does anyone know what else I would need or if i'd just be better off spending the 80 bucks(I really don't want to) thanks!

 

[killingseed2000]

i would get a rely ,12v to 120 v rely and plus the switch to the 12 side plus a 12 v power supply and the power head to the 120v side.


http://www.aquahub.com/store/12voltspdtrelay.html

this site has instructions as well. ever thing you need is on that site. i have made two of them from there but i order the ktis with everthing in it needed to do it right.

 

[addocdreefer]

it looks like it should work as long as your powerhead doesnt exceed the 70 watt rating of the switch. you will need to cut one side of the leads going to the powerhead and tap in the wires from the switch. i prefer to solder the connections and then use shrink tube to seal the connection. hope this helps.

tom

 

[killingseed2000]

it looks like it should work as long as your powerhead doesnt exceed the 70 watt rating of the switch. you will need to cut one side of the leads going to the powerhead and tap in the wires from the switch. i prefer to solder the connections and then use shrink tube to seal the connection. hope this helps.

tom

that not a good method for doing it. it can be done that way but 120v or 12v in the tank i'd would rather have 12v.

 

[addocdreefer]

the powerhead is already 120v in the tank. although i definitely wouldn't put the connections under water

 

[killingseed2000]

the switch was not designed to have 120v passed though them anyone can tell that just by looking at the size of the wire on them. the switch are not designed to be submerged, but could happen and leak current into the tank unlike the pump which is sealed with epoxy but can still leak current into a tank is broke or bad.

 

[addocdreefer]

this is funny.

anyone that can read can see that the switch is designed for 300 VAC. 120 is less than 300 last time i was in math class. wire size (gauge) has no relevance to voltage, only amperage. wire insulation type and quality determine voltage capacity. most cords that are made to plug into wall outlets have thicker insulation because the mfg. tries to cover many bases (CYA) ie. abuse, abrasion, only have to purchase one generic cord for many applications, etc. this makes the wire appear larger from the outside.

watts = amperage x voltage. therefore 70watts divided by 120 volts is 0.583 amps. 22 gauge wire is designed for that amperage. the switch also has an o-ring between the white nut and black hex on the stud. the switch appears that it will need to be installed in a vertical orientation with a flat barrier (probably acrylic) on the top of the resevoir with the wires out the top and the o-ring on the underside of the acrylic. regardless of that the description says that the switch is fully submersible.