Help with DIY ato

[12gallonsofhex]

Hey all. I took on this simple ato project thinking 'what could go wrong?'. I used an electric float switch, a 12v relay, a 12v 400ma power source, an extension cord, and a Toms Aqualifter. The problem I am having is that when the sump gets close to full, the signal part of the relay (the electro_magnetic part) starts to buzz. I know that it is the float switch not breaking contact fully, but i am not sure what to do about it. Should I use a faster pump? Should I put a resistor in line from the float switch to #85 on the relay? Or should I just buy an Ato and stop wasting my time? Any advise is much appreciated. Thank you for reading.

 

[Katrina71]

@dantimdad or @Fin could probably help ya out

 

[12gallonsofhex]

@dantimdad or @Fin could probably help ya out

I am always asking @dantimdad electrical and light stuff, didnt want to bug him again. Lol.

 

[burningstarIV]

I built my own ato for my 30 gallon and it sounds to me like the float switch needs to be changed. It should cut on and off cleanly with no halfsies. Either that or your relay is sticking but I don't see many relays bad right of the box.

 

[12gallonsofhex]

I built my own ato for my 30 gallon and it sounds to me like the float switch needs to be changed. It should cut on and off cleanly with no halfsies. Either that or your relay is sticking but I don't see many relays bad right of the box.

I think its a problem with the float switch also. I will try another out of this pack i bought, but will probably have to buy a better switch

 

[dantimdad]

Hey all. I took on this simple ato project thinking 'what could go wrong?'. I used an electric float switch, a 12v relay, a 12v 400ma power source, an extension cord, and a Toms Aqualifter. The problem I am having is that when the sump gets close to full, the signal part of the relay (the electro_magnetic part) starts to buzz. I know that it is the float switch not breaking contact fully, but i am not sure what to do about it. Should I use a faster pump? Should I put a resistor in line from the float switch to #85 on the relay? Or should I just buy an Ato and stop wasting my time? Any advise is much appreciated. Thank you for reading.

You can always ask me.

If the relay is buzzing, there is either not enough current to trip it or too much for it to switch off. Usually.

This can be a bad reed in the float valve but not as common.

First try the swap out on the float.

Second, try to manual trip the relay with 12v and see if it works.

If you need another relay. I have some really nice onron ones I can send you one.

 

[12gallonsofhex]

You can always ask me.

If the relay is buzzing, there is either not enough current to trip it or too much for it to switch off. Usually.

This can be a bad reed in the float valve but not as common.

First try the swap out on the float.

Second, try to manual trip the relay with 12v and see if it works.

If you need another relay. I have some really nice onron ones I can send you one.

Thank you! I tried it with just the 12 volt power supply and it works fine. Its just when the float switch is about to hit open circuit that it spazzes out.