Float Switch Problem

Casey · 06-09-2003, 06:54 AM

Guys I have this float switch I want to use for auto top off from my 45 gal container,it works just fine problem is after it shuts off the pump there is a siphon created it filled up my sump and I caught it just before it overflowed,How can I fix it to not start a siphon when it shuts the pump off? I have attched pics of the
switch and container.

Casey · 06-09-2003, 06:55 AM

switch

Buzz_Hog · 06-09-2003, 07:25 AM

Drill a syphon break in the line....

tdwyatt · 06-09-2003, 07:30 AM

Take a length of 1" PVC pipe that is at least 4 inches higher than the toplip of the reservoir , place a "T" on the bottom and drill a small hole in the top (large enough to put a zip tie through it).

Mount the tube inside your sump (be creative with some zip ties...

) perpendicular to the bottom of your sump. You can run it out the back of your stand if need be to keep it above the level of the water reservoir. Zip tie the water line from your power head in the reservoir to the TOP of the PVC tube with enough running down inside the tube to keep it from spraying the surroundings when the pump is on, but not so far down that it goes below the level of the reservoir when the reservoir is full. Use the hole you drilled with a zip tie to fix the position of the water tube. Now when the punp comes on, there is a siphon break at a level above the water level in the reservoir. The "t" at the bottom of the length of PVC keeps the base of the pipe from becoming occluded by the base of the sump.

HTH

Casey · 06-09-2003, 07:59 AM

That will work thanks Guys

Buzz_Hog · 06-09-2003, 08:09 AM

I'd just drill a small hole in the side of the line and put an airline checkvalve in the hole...

I guess there's always the better mouse trap to build though....

Doug1 · 06-09-2003, 09:13 AM

Adjust the length of the feed tubing so that its not below the sumps water level, exposing the end to air is what breaks the siphon effect

Casey · 06-09-2003, 09:50 AM

Doug I tried that and it still siphoned,gonna drill a hole and see what happens

Buzz_Hog · 06-09-2003, 10:26 AM

I'm assuming it's the pressure from the 45 gallon fill container that is pushing the water into the sump, is that correct?

If that's the case, don't drill a hole in the line just yet... The problem is that it's gravity feeding rather than syphoning...

Can you snap some pics so I can get an overview of what is where and how it is hooked up?

laddy00 · 06-09-2003, 10:34 AM

The idea of the hole with the check valve WILL work. You need to drill the hole on the line where it is still goin up from your pump, not after it has begun going down towards the sump. I put mine at the very top of the bucket just below the lid and it i've never had a problem

Casey · 06-09-2003, 10:42 AM

thanks lady00

will do

Buzz_Hog · 06-09-2003, 10:52 AM

No,

The problem is that the syphon is either sucking from the sump end, or is being pushed from the gravity feed on the reseviour end... A check valve won't work in that situation and there is still positive pressure...

Casey, is the outlet on the fill tank on the bottom?? If it is, that is source of the problem...

Casey · 06-09-2003, 10:55 AM

No buzz it is on the top 4 inch from lid must be gravity feeding

digital_dragon · 06-09-2003, 10:57 AM

Your fill tube from your resevoir needs to be above both your fresh water resevoir and your sump so as buzz was saying you don't get a gravity feed from your fresh water storage tank.

Earl

Casey · 06-09-2003, 10:58 AM

Heres where the holes are pump sits on bottom and pumps up and out holes and into sump