Manual reset for float valve kill switch??

I just finished hooking up an Aqua Hub Top-it-Off Kit Deluxe to act as a return pump kill switch if my DT starts to flood from a loss of overflow siphon or if my return water level gets too low. The kit works just as Aqua Hub intended, however I think it’s lacking one feature that would suit my purpose (and not an ATO system): a manual reset if the relay gets tripped.

In its current build, the float switch won’t kill the pump until either water level goes below its designated threshold. The only problem with this is if a float switch gets tripped, it will kill the pump and water will return to the sump, water will then flow back to the sump from the siphon, thus returning the float switch back to its normal state and will in turn restore power to the pump, only to have it start to overflow/run dry again a few seconds later. Now assuming an event did happen to start this cycle, it may very well serve its purpose of saving my wood. If it happened while I was at work, it may continue to cycle hundreds of times before I get home to realize there is a problem. As with most electrical equipment, I’m sure these components have a life cycle. Hundreds of cycles would just increase chances of failure, and failure in this case equals flooded floors.

My thought then is how can I wire some kind of time delay in there to reduce the amount of cycles, OR better yet, a manual reset button (kind of like on some surge protectors)??

At the present time, a $500 controller setup is not a feasible option so I’d like to make what I’ve got work.

Thanks y’all!

 

I know someone with more electrical knowhow will see this and say, "oh yeah, just add a Do-Rod FK3000 behind the relay!"

 

Whatever you do, don't stop using a safety feature with that particular brand. I had one fail. There was rust on the wire connection just above the white floaty dealies. They have an added safety feature that you have to buy separately that blocks the spray of water. I didn't know that at the time. They stated water should not get on it.... Say wha? Its FOR water and I didn't have it submerged and it wasn't getting splashed constantly.

Anyway, I guess it wasn't the responsible answer I wanted to hear and I took it out and threw it away.


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Sent from Tapatalk, so please forgive grammar and spelling

 

You need what is called a latching relay, you should be able to find one with a quick search.

 

I googled latching relay and various iterations trying to find what I was looking for but I very quickly get overwhelmed sifting through electrical components. My research time has been very unproductive. Would a Radio Shack have something like this? I know they're not what they once were. Or a Fry’s Electronics?

When it comes to watts, amps, double poll, magnetic fields, voltages, ohms, blah blah blah, you-lost-me-at-hello, I either need a KIT or someone to point at exactly what I need. =)

Here is my current relay from the kit 12 Volt DPDT Relay

Here is the relay socket in the kit Relay Socket

I'm not opposed to getting a new matching socket if the new manual reset relay needs it..

 

SOLVED

After a few rounds of emails to Aquahub, Patrick sent me a diagram to add a switch and rewire the relay socket. Just replace the second float switch with a toggle switch Liquid Level Sensors from Chicago Sensor, Inc.

Now when the float switch is tripped it only cuts off the sump pump once and I have to flip the toggle switch to turn the system back on. I used a $2 toggle from Radio Shack, similar to this Toggle Switch.

My next imrovement will probably to add an LED to indicate the switch is in the primed position and will also replace the power cord with one that can accept my skimmers three-prong plug too. I've noticed when my sump pump turns off and the water down there rises my skimmer goes crazy and the cup starts to overflow within a few seconds. So if both can shut off that would be ideal.

Looks like I can put off going with a Reef Angel for at least a few more months 8)

 

I have exactly what you had and after wire them altogether by aqua's instruction, the pump return keep click on and off cause the water from siphon return. Can you show me more detail how to connect float switch, toggle, DC transformer into socket.The socket have numbers on it so you can tell by number then I can follow. I want the pump return shut down if the float switch reset by low water. Thanks

 

IME, yet HO, this is a much better design if all you want is a high water sensor on a DT with a siphon style overflow that could fail, flooding the floor of sump water.

It's plug and play! No wiring, no switching, etc.

Here's my thread on my search for the product.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-pumps-etc/dt-overflow-preventer-134476.html#.U1xuffldW0U

 

1) This thread is over 3 years old and the OP's problem was solved. :

2) I would never recommend a switch or valve to control a poorly designed overflow/return; as mentioned, they, too, can fail. If the job is worth doing, it's worth doing right.