My Auto Top Off
by
, 08-04-2010 at 07:33 PM (1936 Views)
So I finally got around to setting up the auto top off. I do spend a lot of time away from the reef and decided that, though I love my wife dearly, she won't always remember to check on the tank. So I spent about 30 dollars on parts from http://www.aquahub.com. I actually got 3 float switches, the third I may add to the reservoir or just hang on to for a spare. I had a small sheet of 1/4 inch acrylic in the garage to use for the mounting bracket. I ripped off a two inch strip and and heated it with a small propane torch to make the bends. And notched the hole with the table saw. I also ripped a small piece for a second switch to mount above the first.
Then I welded the smaller bracket to the larger one using a similar product to weldon 16.
However, I hadn't started drinking yet and didn't think to make sure the notch for the upper flat switch would fit. So I had to take the assembled bracket, that was still curing, to the table saw to enlarge the upper notch. Not fun.
I mounted the two float switches, the upper one being a back up to the lower one, if it sticks.
Then I wired the two switches in series on one leg of the extension cord. I know the pic is tough to make out what is going where. I opted to use silicone wire nuts, the kind made for out door lighting, and then wrapped them in plastic and zip tied it shut.
This is how the bracket hangs on the side of the sump in the return section, I forgot to take the final product picture.