Peristaltic pumps and current draw

[seanm001]

I have three peristaltic pumps that I use for my ATO & AWC on my Apex. It seems that they don't draw enough current to reliably switch on/off with the triac relays. I have had several instances where they didn't switch off, sometimes for hours.

When plugged into the mechanical relay outlets, I have no problems. However, I only have two of them on my EB8, and don't really want to plunk down another chunk of change for a EB4 (which will eventually die anyway because the constant switching from these devices will wear out the relays).

So, for now, I have a plug splitter plugged into each outlet, with MJ400s and my peristaltic pumps plugged into those, in order to increase the current draw. This works 100% of the time, but is a less-than-ideal situation because the pumps waste electricity since I don't actually need them for anything.

So, my question is, does anybody out there have a better suggestion? Is there a different way to configure the pumps & outlets to work better and waste less electricity?

[Ted_C]

I saw a guy take Lighted Plugs (almost like a night light - but with a plug in it) in his Digital Aquatics to get around the same problem. Might work for us too.

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=5266-PLC&section=41808&minisite=10251

[aquamanic]

You could look for a used EB4 or DC4 - both have mechanical relays.

Since the threshold for reliable TRIAC switching is around 5 watts, it would only take a 15 watt night light to give you more than enough load. Switching that on/off even 24 times a day isn't going to make a dent in your electric bill.

[Mark Bianco]

So, for now, I have a plug splitter plugged into each outlet, with MJ400s and my peristaltic pumps plugged into those, in order to increase the current draw. This works 100% of the time, but is a less-than-ideal situation because the pumps waste electricity since I don't actually need them for anything.

What you state is true, but lets do a little calculation the MJ400 uses 5 watts of power per hour of use. That's 0.005 Kilowatt so say your two pumps run a total of two hours a day, that's 0.02 Kilowatts The national average price for electric is $0.23 per kilowatt or $0.046 per day to run both pumps per day or $0.138 per a 30 day month. So buy a EB8 or an EB4 or pay the electric company about a 1/2 penny a day, that's up to you...

So, my question is, does anybody out there have a better suggestion? Is there a different way to configure the pumps & outlets to work better and waste less electricity?

Sorry none that I can think of.

[kurt_n]

I've heard of some folks that have plugged in a surge suppressor to a triac outlet and had it control small wattage devices reliably. But I'm assuming that internally to the surge suppressor, energy is being wasted somewhere - kind of equivalent to the night light trick.

If you don't want to waste energy, then you need to pick up an EB4. If you don't want to pick up an EB4, then you'll need to waste energy. Just depends on what's more important to you.

[seanm001]

Thanks for all the responses! Mark, I definitely appreciate your calculations there. The lights are a good suggestion, they'd let me know the outlet is active.

[joshlawless]

Leviton appears to charge around ~$25 for that lighted adapter. A more cost effective one might be this one:

www.amazon.com/dp/B001AXBYCE

[joshlawless]

Or, possibly even better, a 3 pack of 8" lighted extension cords for ~ $8.00:

www.amazon.com/dp/B001GLWL0O

Don't have an Apex, so I can't comment on whether these draw enough current to improve the reliability of the TRIAC.

Also, why the hell wouldn't Apex just build a status light next to each outlet to provide the necessary current draw?

[E Rosewater]

Did you ever end up finding something that would work that was more ideal than running a pump?

[seanm001]

Yeah, I found some cheap LED night lights on eBay, 2 for $5.86 and free shipping. They just arrived 2 days ago, but they seem to be doing the trick. And they have the added advantage that I can tell which pump is on with just a glance across the room.

[dldavila]

Can you provide a link for the lighted night lights?

[mayjong]

me too

[seanm001]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350758168120?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649