Safety Net For Ato

[TheGreenStag]

Hi Guys
So lately i have been having issues with my JBJ float switch getting stuck in the down position in my sump thereby activating the pump in my reservoir...i am controlling it using apex so it runs for 10 mins per hour however i need more safety. Does anyone know how i can add a 2nd float switch to my jbj ato which will be placed in the sump as well a little higher than the original one..thanks.

 

[Josh]

can use a small relay that when the top float hits position it opens a normally closed contact that you wire in series with the other float. If you are into some custom wiring i can definitely write you up a wiring diagram that will work, thats assuming you set up the other float as "high limit float".


Was bored, might be over your head i dont know? Might be easier to just get a new ATO with dual floats.

Relay has to be rated for 120v and also have 120v COIL as well as NC (normally closed) contacts

 

[Josh]

 

[Salty Cracker]

I use my apex to control mine too, but I bought the relay switch add-on. One float for low level, a second for high level, one in the ATO reservoir which is just a 5 gallon bucket in the off chance it does lock "running" if can at worst only put 5 gallons of fresh water into the system.

 

[TORX]

I am not much help on this one. I just use gravity and a mechanical float on both my tanks. ALthough I do have an Apex ATK waiting to be installed.

 

[Kman]

I had the same issue with my JBJ. I installed a breakout box with extra floats and when triggered it shut the plug off for the ATO. Mine however because of the high concentration of kalk I was using caused a huge spike and a lot of damage to my SPS before things got detected. I ended up replacing mine in the end because it kept sticking on with the Apex ATK.

 

[Kman]

I am not much help on this one. I just use gravity and a mechanical float on both my tanks. ALthough I do have an Apex ATK waiting to be installed.

You will like the ATK. It is easy to hook up. But it is a little fussy first hooking it up and dialing the setting in as the default setting didn't work for my setup. Unless you are one of the lucky ones that the default works for. Because I have a 120 sump that takes time to fill the typical settings didn't work. But once you figure out what settings you need it runs like a champ.

 

[TORX]

You will like the ATK. It is easy to hook up. But it is a little fussy first hooking it up and dialing the setting in as the default setting didn't work for my setup. Unless you are one of the lucky ones that the default works for. Because I have a 120 sump that takes time to fill the typical settings didn't work. But once you figure out what settings you need it runs like a champ.

I have read that. I found several people who drilled a larger hole in the mechanical float to allow for a faster fill. I shouldn't have that issue in my sump though

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[TheGreenStag]

@Josh thank you so much for the indepth explanation...i am not tht well versed with how the wiring etc works..i am basically plug and play kinda guy
@everyone thank you i have been thinking about getting a breakout box with couple of floats as well...for now i have reduced the timing on how long the ato runs....

 

[Josh]

It's actually quite easy however I do understand if it's too much.

And no problem those sketches took 5 min''s in ms paint to make.

Good luck

 

[TheGreenStag]

the below video from BRS saved me...it shows a hidden trick to use the 2nd float switch UPSIDE DOWN while remaining in Mode A...wallah problem solved...In this method the 2nd switch acts as a safety back up and once the water reaches it, this switch will shut the pump off...i am posting this video so as to help others like me here...

 

[Josh]

Thats pretty clever. Flip it upside and suddenly its on all the time until it hits a maximum position then its in the "open" position.

 

[TheGreenStag]

Thats pretty clever. Flip it upside and suddenly its on all the time until it hits a maximum position then its in the "open" position.

Thts right i just reversed it last night and tested it...it works very well...while i was at it i also went ahead and cleaned both the float switches after soaking them both in rodi/vinegar solution. I was stunned to see how much salt creep had build up on the INNER TUBE of the float switches..i had to use a metal scrapper to gently remove all that salt...i am back in action now...yet another learning curve...

 

[Josh]

Lol yup, that stuff gets EVERYWHERE