How do float switches and auto shut offs work?

[PugsAndFish]

So I forgot that my RODI unit was running and flooded the kitchen last night lol. I'm thinking of a float valve and auto shut off valve. I understand how the float valves works - drill a hole in a bucket, when the water level rises the valve will close and water will stop going to the bucket and rush out the waste line.

How about the auto shut off valve? If the auto shut off closes water to the waste line, where does the water go? The water is still coming out of the faucet so wouldnt water just building up in the cannisters and make the cannister leak or burst?

It'd be great if I can just start making water at night and go to bed in peace lol.


On a similar note, I got a Varios return pump and a float switch came with it. What is the float switch used for?

 

[TheHarold]

Nothing bursts. The auto shut off valve shuts off the supply water when the output line has backpressure. Super reliable, super easy.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

So I forgot that my RODI unit was running and flooded the kitchen last night lol. I'm thinking of a float valve and auto shut off valve. I understand how the float valves works - drill a hole in a bucket, when the water level rises the valve will close and water will stop going to the bucket and rush out the waste line.

How about the auto shut off valve? If the auto shut off closes water to the waste line, where does the water go? The water is still coming out of the faucet so wouldnt water just building up in the cannisters and make the cannister leak or burst?

It'd be great if I can just start making water at night and go to bed in peace lol.


On a similar note, I got a Varios return pump and a float switch came with it. What is the float switch used for?

this.

https://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-...Automatic-Shut-Off-Float-Kit-w-1-4in-fittings

 

[rkpetersen]

On a similar note, I got a Varios return pump and a float switch came with it. What is the float switch used for?

The float switch plugs into the side of the Varios controller. You then mount the float switch in your return pump chamber. Press a button on the controller to make the float switch active. Now the float switch will turn off your pump if the water level gets too low, keeping it from sucking air and running dry. Basically, an optional safety device.

Here's another auto shutoff kit: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/auto-shut-off-kit-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html

 

[PugsAndFish]

The float switch plugs into the side of the Varios controller. You then mount the float switch in your return pump chamber. Press a button on the controller to make the float switch active. Now the float switch will turn off your pump if the water level gets too low, keeping it from sucking air and running dry. Basically, an optional safety device.

Here's another auto shutoff kit: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/auto-shut-off-kit-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html

Ah... I thought it was to detect when the water level gets too high so I didn't know what the use for it. Using it to turn the pump off when water levels get low makes more sense.

I'm using my ATO reservoir on my Red Sea tank as a fuge with 1 drain line. Is it possible to use the float switch in the ATO so when the water rises too much, the pump will shut off? Maybe I can do the switch upside down?

 

[PugsAndFish]

Nothing bursts. The auto shut off valve shuts off the supply water when the output line has backpressure. Super reliable, super easy.

Sorry I'm not understanding. Where does the water go though? I connect the RODI to the faucet and it's not like the faucet knob will turn the other way to shut off the water source...

 

[Liron Mishal]

Most RO systems has a valve that shuts off the inlet line when sensing a high pressure on the outlet.
Post a pic of your RO for a better explanation
L

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Nothing bursts. The auto shut off valve shuts off the supply water when the output line has backpressure. Super reliable, super easy.

this.

https://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-...Automatic-Shut-Off-Float-Kit-w-1-4in-fittings

 

[theMeat]

Sorry I'm not understanding. Where does the water go though? I connect the RODI to the faucet and it's not like the faucet knob will turn the other way to shut off the water source...

Better to put the RODI on a separate valve, instead of on faucet. Float switch does just that. The ballast/ballon floats up and shuts valve.
Two would be even safer.
It shuts off the RODI when float switch closes.
There is a square white block hi/low shut off valve with four tubes going into it. Most RODI units have this sq wht valve. Product water gets shut off by float switch when it floats up. Product water builds pressure and that square hi low valve shuts the water going in. It takes a minute or few

Pugs and fish are cool

 

[Tastee]

I use the Aquatic Life kit to do just this on my RODI system. This is the same technology as the other shutoff options others have suggested.

Their instructions explain how it works pretty well: https://www.aquaticlife.com/media/import/FloatValveInstructions_022717.pdf

The only issue I have with this is that it makes a periodic humming noise for quite a while as it shuts off. An hour or so. This is normal, and whilst I’ve taken steps to minimise it, I can’t get rid of it entirely. For me it’s fine as this isn’t a 24x7 solution, just one I use periodically when I make water to fill my reservoir. I turn the faucet connection back off after the reservoir is full. This setup means I don’t have to remember to turn it off when full - I can let it stop by itself and then turn things off when I have time.

Good luck.

 

[eggplantparrot]

How realiable are these shutoff valves? Ive let my system run over night to fill rubbermaid cans and it has worked fine so far, but im still a little bit weary of it. Has there been documented failures?

 

[theMeat]

How realiable are these shutoff valves? Ive let my system run over night to fill rubbermaid cans and it has worked fine so far, but im still a little bit weary of it. Has there been documented failures?

You could instal a second valve, just a lil higher to catch Incase first valve fails

 

[theMeat]

Oops

 

[Tastee]

Part of the reason I went with this solution was that I felt a simple mechanical pressure sensitive solenoid was more reliable than an electronic solution using solenoids etc. Less moving parts. KISS. Avoided the need for me to run power to my RODI unit (which is located in outside my house).

Failure does of course come down to build quality. The company I went with has a good name. So far so good.

Adding an optical or float switch connected to a solenoid to shut off the inlet line however would of course be good redundancy. Or the reverse, use the electronic switch and solenoid as your primary control and a pressure sensitive solenoid as a backup. I would do the latter if I wanted redundancy to avoid the noise issue I previously mentioned.

In my case the unit is outside and can’t cause any issue except excess water consumption. And I don’t run it 24x7, just as needed. So don’t have a need for redundancy. Your needs may be different.

 

[theMeat]

I use the Aquatic Life kit to do just this on my RODI system. This is the same technology as the other shutoff options others have suggested.

Their instructions explain how it works pretty well: https://www.aquaticlife.com/media/import/FloatValveInstructions_022717.pdf

The only issue I have with this is that it makes a periodic humming noise for quite a while as it shuts off. An hour or so. This is normal, and whilst I’ve taken steps to minimise it, I can’t get rid of it entirely. For me it’s fine as this isn’t a 24x7 solution, just one I use periodically when I make water to fill my reservoir. I turn the faucet connection back off after the reservoir is full. This setup means I don’t have to remember to turn it off when full - I can let it stop by itself and then turn things off when I have time.

Good luck.

The noise you hear is this
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-4-auto-shut-off-valve.html

Should be changed whenever you change the membrane, or when it takes more than a few minutes to shut off waste water. Making noise could be a sign that it taking too long of not working at all.
When you shut off product water via valve, float valve or not, this auto hi/low valve turns off the supply water. If it doesn’t waste water continuously comes out. This waste water doesn’t go through the membrane because product water valve is off, but it does go through sediment and charcoal stages which then get used up for not.
Another thing to consider is this valve won’t work as well if your water pressure is low

 

[rkpetersen]

I'm using my ATO reservoir on my Red Sea tank as a fuge with 1 drain line. Is it possible to use the float switch in the ATO so when the water rises too much, the pump will shut off? Maybe I can do the switch upside down?

Sure, you could definitely do that. In fact that will probably be more effective than the low level shutoff, tbh. With what you're planning, the switch should be out of the water most of the time, which means it will work when needed. But when used as a low level sensor, it's mostly underwater, and I've found that over weeks these cheap float switches accumulate organic gunk to the point where they commonly 'stick' in the on position when they should flip to off. So they're an extra safety feature but not a particularly trustworthy one.

 

[Dburr1014]

So I forgot that my RODI unit was running and flooded the kitchen last night lol. I'm thinking of a float valve and auto shut off valve. I understand how the float valves works - drill a hole in a bucket, when the water level rises the valve will close and water will stop going to the bucket and rush out the waste line.

How about the auto shut off valve? If the auto shut off closes water to the waste line, where does the water go? The water is still coming out of the faucet so wouldnt water just building up in the cannisters and make the cannister leak or burst?

It'd be great if I can just start making water at night and go to bed in peace lol.


On a similar note, I got a Varios return pump and a float switch came with it. What is the float switch used for?

I use a simple timer cuz I always forget too.
Just have to figure out how much time you need to fill said bucket and you are good to go.
Just to add, it's on a normally closed valve. When energized its open, when time is done, it closes.

 

[PugsAndFish]

I installed the float switch for my varios return pump because the pump kept running dry (ATO still on my old tank).

I installed it upside down so that when the water level gets too low, the switch is activated and the pump turns off. However, it's doing hte opposite. When the water level is high (or at the right level), the pump shuts off.

Am I thinking this the opposite way lol