nkyreef
Well-Known Member
There isn't much out there in terms of extending the float switches that come with Reef Octopus Varios pumps so hopefully this helps someone here in the future. While I could find an OEM extension cable for power I could not find one for the float switches. I don't know the exact length of the cable but I'd estimate around 3'. I needed 8' to reach my pump controllers that are mounted in a cabinet next to the tank. I didn't want to splice the cable (that's much too easy 
). The connectors are a type XS8 2 pin connector. I bought a small project box and some 20 awg two conductor cable. I should've bought a smaller gauge wire as soldering the 20 gauge wires was really difficult. I bet you could get away with 24 gauge.
I started by drilling the mounting holes for the female XS8 connectors and holes on the opposite end for the cables to exit:
Wires routed thru holes and stripped. Notice the nut that secures the connector to the box:
Next I attempted to solder the wires onto the connectors. It was difficult due to the thickness of the wire and very tiny solder points on the connectors. Luckily, I had a few ferrules laying around that I could crimp on. Once the nut was screwed on I put a dab off hot glue (not shown) to secure the cable to the box. I drilled the holes so that the cable fit tightly but the glue assured me the crimp connections would not be compromised if the cable was pulled too harshly:
Soldering the male XS8 connector was equally as difficult. I had to use the same ferrules as on the female connectors but had to cut them down so they would fit within the connector housing. Later I added electrical tape between the connection points to better insulate them:
The finished product:
). The connectors are a type XS8 2 pin connector. I bought a small project box and some 20 awg two conductor cable. I should've bought a smaller gauge wire as soldering the 20 gauge wires was really difficult. I bet you could get away with 24 gauge.I started by drilling the mounting holes for the female XS8 connectors and holes on the opposite end for the cables to exit:
Wires routed thru holes and stripped. Notice the nut that secures the connector to the box:
Next I attempted to solder the wires onto the connectors. It was difficult due to the thickness of the wire and very tiny solder points on the connectors. Luckily, I had a few ferrules laying around that I could crimp on. Once the nut was screwed on I put a dab off hot glue (not shown) to secure the cable to the box. I drilled the holes so that the cable fit tightly but the glue assured me the crimp connections would not be compromised if the cable was pulled too harshly:
Soldering the male XS8 connector was equally as difficult. I had to use the same ferrules as on the female connectors but had to cut them down so they would fit within the connector housing. Later I added electrical tape between the connection points to better insulate them:
The finished product:
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