RKE and a skimmer overflow idea

[ellisz]

I don't think this is anything new but in my previous setup I had a float in my skimmer collection cup that would kill the skimmer if the skimmer freaked out and started pulling water. I have a smaller system now with a smaller skimmer - Curve 5. The floats are just too big to get in the collection cup. The next thing would be to put a float on an overflow container but the skimmer sits too low in the sump and the drain goes up hill before it will start draining. I covered the air inlet and filled the collection cup to see if it would work but it appears the height is too great,

I am a little paranoid about water overflows(it has happened before) so I am looking for a method to use the RKE to shut the skimmer down. One method I was thinking about was using the same idea and just dropping the float. Could I not just run some wire into the cup and if water covered both ends, it would close the circuit and trigger the RKE to shut the power off to the skimmer? It would just be using the switch to the SL1 module so I am thinking that there would be no concern to the tank other than the wire being exposed to the salty air in the collection cup?

Is this a bad idea? Any other options?

Thanks

 

[DanP-SD]

I'd be concerned about exposed wire in the collection cup. IMO, it's not so much a safety issue as a reliability issue. Those wires can get coated in skimmate fast and then may not work when you need them. One option to overcome the height of your sump is to install a bulkhead in the sump wall and hard plumb the skimmate drain through that. It'll eliminate the uphill tube run that's causing your problem. Alternatively, you can put the skimmer on a stand to raise it but then you'd need to also raise the water level in the sump, which may not be a good option for you.

 

[ellisz]

Those are all valid points and great options. Maybe adjusting the water level and raising the skimmer is my best option. I have already raised the water level to 8" in my eshopps sump. I think the stock level is only 4. Just need to make sure the sump can handle the overflow.

 

[Bob Escher]

I have a curve 5 that I bought used the guy had a float in it attached to the cover. The skimmer itself doesn't bring water in so why would or could pull more water
Am I wrong in my thinking? I can understand adding a float to the return section for overflow

 

[redfishbluefish]

Interesting idea.....but.

First off if I'd try this I'd use a double pole relay and I'm not sure if the resistance of saltwater would be too great to trigger the relay. The other thing I'd do is use titanium rods as the water contact part....and again, not sure of resistance. You simply can not put a wire into saltwater....it won't last. I use to work on boats and I can remember one job where the engine wasn't receiving current. Tracing back the wires, I found one wire was was "limp." You bent it, and had no resistance. Realize this is a plastic coated wire. I cut the wire and there was nothing inside except powder. The saltwater had totally corroded this copper wire. Boat owner wasn't happy when my recommendation was totally re-wiring his boat.

A skimnate reservoir doesn't need to be outside your sump. Could you fit one in your sump and now use float switches.

Here's a skimmate container I made and float switch arrangement that might give you inspiration.

DIY Skimmate Container

DIY Float Switch

 

[ellisz]

Yeah, I knew the wire was not a permanent solution but I use something like that for a kill switch for my return but it is sitting on dry wood and the atmosphere is not nearly as corrosive.
I have some room in the sump so putting something that won't leach is an idea.

This is what I am working with.

 

[ellisz]

I have a curve 5 that I bought used the guy had a float in it attached to the cover. The skimmer itself doesn't bring water in so why would or could pull more water
Am I wrong in my thinking? I can understand adding a float to the return section for overflow

The skimmer can pull water up to the collection cup if things get out of whack. Maybe I need to look for a slimmer float or some way to extend the float body past the inner lip of the lid. There is not a lot of room in there...

 

[ellisz]

I could raise the sump water level 2" and raise the skimmer 2" as well. That would give me 6" from the top of the sump. Currently, I add 1" of water when the return stops. This would allow the cup to drain.

How much do you leave in your sump to accept water? I am used to basement sumps so this one is challenging me

 

[n2585722]

Avast Marine uses pressure switches in their barrel tender. You might send them a email asking if it is possible to get a switch from them for this application. There may mot be enough water level in the collection cup to trigger it though.