GrimReefer Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 i was wondering where i can find a float valve to kick an aqua lifter on and off for a kalk top off system. i have one on my tank so i know there out there but my friend also needs one. I have checked every lfs home depot and lowes with no luck. I cant find any electric shut off and on kind. Any hints on where? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddybluewater Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I got mine from BRS. I think someone said that Autotopoff is based in Austin now. Try emailing them and see if you could pick one up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 You can't find them locally and I have been searching for months finally orderd thesee. All it would take is this, http://www.fishbowl-innovations.com/product/solenoid , , spliced with one of these $10 tricks, http://www.fishbowl-innovations.com/product/floatSwitch , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Yes, AutoTopOff is now based in N Austin. His website/paypal is/was not yet setup to do local pickup, eg not add shipping, so you'll need to contact Paul directly (sales AT autotopoff DOT com) to arrange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I bought mine from aquapod.com. They work excellently and were quite reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill B Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I believe Ric is refering to Aquahub.com. I also got my components from them. Going a little more of the DIY route they were even cheaper than autotopoff. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 You certainly can find them locally, Grainger. Any, and I mean any, HVAC supply house will have these. They certainly were not created for us fish guys, they were created to run pumps that will activate and remove the condensate from A/C units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2A554?Pid=search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Daniel Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Would a relay be unnecessary if you just splice the float in a series circuit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 You need to check each and every float precisely to check its voltage rating. Most of the 22 gauge wire floats are rated for low voltage such as 24vDC. The Grainger online catalog has about 35 pages of items under "float switch". If you find one that is rated for 120v then all would be well. Tell your friends that if they are building one DIY style that you need a 12-24v (matched to your relay) transformer to power the switch and activate the relay. The relay breaks one leg of the power supply cord that will power the pump. We used to hand build these all day long when I did HVAC work. We also did the exact same thing with thermostats to create "pig blankets" or heat pads that were precise and automatic so that an animal has a warm place but cannot get burned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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