View Full Version : Auto Top Off Program?
I have a program question, How would I go about this.
I have the float sensor and I know how to trigger a plug or item on. But what I want to do is when Water sensor is low have the outlet turn on for 5 mins. Not shut when water level switches to full... Anyone?
RobbyG
10/23/2006, 01:03 PM
As far as I know this can' be done! What you need is a option in the Level Program to run a plug for a Minimum of X amount of time before stopping, that is not a option thats available, there is an option for Maximum amount of time, just not minimum.
Maybe if you email AQT and tell them why you need it, they may add it if they think others can benefit.
BTW this might not be a good thing to do if you were thinking of using it on RO Topoff. It could cause some horrible overflows in your tank.
True, So what would you suggest for a program..
I have an inline Selonoid for the RO output. I have the Level switch but I figure if it goes on when switch is LEV 1 It would keep going on and off.
RobbyG
10/23/2006, 04:57 PM
I have the same sort of setup and it does not do that. It goes ON at Level 1 and shuts off at level 2. I have the Level sensor in my sump and it works perfectly, no ON and OFF cycling.
Just make sure you set a Timeout value of say 120 seconds so that if something goes wrong, like a snail gets stuck in the Level sensor, the Solenoid will shutoff and the system will alert you. Also as a double safety I put a Kent RO float Valve in my sump, so that water after the Solenoid is fed into the Kent unit. This will be a life saver in a case were the Solenoid valve is damaged and gets stuck ON. I highly highly recommend you spend the extra $19 and put in the Kent Valve, just adjust the Kent so it's height is a little above the Level Sensors.
How do I set a timeout value?
RobbyG
10/23/2006, 05:16 PM
Just edited the post above so re-read it.
If your doing it Via PC you will see in the Level Program a setting marked "Maximum Time:" it is set to a default of OFF. If you change that you can enter how many seconds.
I see, Their way of programming is a little off base to me. It always seems to work but it must be the European Design. Dont get me wrong but I love the unit.
If I set a MAX timoute under level wouldnt it now make that timoute apply to every program you now make?
RobbyG
10/23/2006, 08:18 PM
Its different but not bad when you get used to it. I personaly love using the controller interface, I rarely use the PC software for anything.
BTW the Max timeout will only have an effect only on that Program.
Ahh I see, as a new program is generated the option changes...
Yes it's different but it always seems to have an answer in some form or another so I can't complain. Different is good. Teaches a new way of looking at something..
Thanks for your help..
RobbyG,
I have tried to make the program not go on and off like I thought it would but it does... Could you layout exactly how you set your Program for me? I tried the 1:20m MAX and the float triggers the level 1-2 1-2 and then it would go back on in a couple of hours... Or is that how you have it?
RobbyG
10/27/2006, 11:16 PM
I guess it depends on what kind of surface turbulence you have in the sump, I do get one or two extra spurts but then it stops like you said for hours. When you said 1-2 1-2 did you literally mean just 2 extra cycles? If so that's not a problem.
If it is doing more then try moving the float sensor to a less turbulent area in the sump.
Also on a separate note check your timeout value and see if it makes sense for your size sump, mine is about 30 gal and 120 Seconds is good for me but if you have a bigger sump you might want to make it a bit higher and vice versa.
The program I use is just
Lvl 1 turn on solenoid plug
Lvl 2 turn off solenoid plug
Timeout: 120 seconds.
When the timeout occurs you will see a lock symbol on the display and you have to go into the level area to unlock it, before the solenoid can work again.
BTW if you use a balanced return beware of the dreaded water creep!! If your pump valves are not set right and more water is going into the Tank then is coming out (by a fraction), you can have a situation were the sumps level slowly drops and the level sensor keeps tripping in adding RO in small amounts, but never enough to trip the Lock or make the kent valve shutoff. This leads to your tank overflowing, this happen to me once! Reason is I adjust my return drain to the point were I get minimal water sound in the overflow. Maybe not such a good idea but it makes the tank virtually silent so I do it.
The solution is to make sure that if you mess with the flow rates make sure the sump level is stable for a few hours, before turning on the RO program. A backup that can be done is to add a level sensor in the tank to shutoff the RO if the water in the tank gets too high. If you have a wide open return this whole thing is not a problem and cannot occur unless the drain gets blocked, but I know many people do balance their returns to match the pump, so for those the warning is app.
What I think it is, where I keep my probes is a bay in the sump with the return pump and when the water is lower it surges abit. I think I am going to add another water sensor to the same mount and have a high and low. 1 trigger and 1 stop....
Thanks for the help..
RobbyG
10/28/2006, 05:03 PM
That will work also. Nice to have a system with almost unlimited level sensors :)
Yes it is, Thats why I switched. I had an AC3 that was 3 mths old and saw the flexibility of this system.. I can hardly wait for the water leak detector and other probes that might come!
DaveWC
10/28/2006, 06:15 PM
I plan to use a low & high water level sensor and a Kent float valve for the RO line. Overflows are not too popular in my house. If you're running your RO through a kalk mixer I assume you can run the output from the kalk through a kent valve at the sump, is that correct?
RobbyG
10/29/2006, 02:03 AM
Yes. But if you have a full tilt open return none of this is a problem.
DaveWC
10/29/2006, 09:48 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8436135#post8436135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
Yes. But if you have a full tilt open return none of this is a problem.
Sorry, I'm not sure what that means.
RobbyG
10/30/2006, 02:43 AM
If your overflow can drain much faster than your pump can add water then there is no chance of the tank overflowing, provided the drain does not get clogged. But many people put valves on the Drain pipe and balance the overflow level so that the water only cascades a small amount when entering the Overflow, thereby cutting down on all the water gurgling sounds.
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