markw

I have a top off system for my fishtank that I have a small pump in.
Unfortunately the old float sensor is no longer working so I have to
get a new one. Obviously it's important to be reliable. What is a
good brand to go with? I have seen Ultralife and Reef Fanatic looks
very nice.

pszemol

They both work on the same principle of a float with a magnet sliding
vertically on a shaft with a reel switch. They should be equally reliable.
The one made by Reef Fanatic have more suction cups, so there is
less risk it will fall off the glass wall...
I have made my switch myself. Got a switch for $6 online here:
http://www.aquahub.com/store/ifloatfloatswitch.html and wired it
into a 6ft cheap extension cord using a lamp switch as a fixture.
Simply got 6ft extension cord at Walmart for $1.50, lamp switch for $2
cut one wire around the middle of the lenght, installed lamp switch as
normal, with one exception: I put the two wires coming from the float
switch paralelly with the lamp switch. This way the connection is closed
inside the lamp switch and no wires are exposed to water or touch.
Any scrap plastic/PVC can be cut and bent 90' angle to drill two holes in:
one for a suction cup and the second to install the float switch screw.
And you are done creating a bracket for your switch!

This way for less than $10 I got functional setup I can plug in the water
pump to a christmas light timer and have it configured for once-a-day
top offs replacing evaporated water.
Other idea to use just two wire screws instead of a lamp switch :-)
But I like to have a way to bypass the float switch with a regular
lamp switch for testing/diagnosing :-)

You could check why your switch stopped working - it could be something
simple like cracked wire or float loosing its water-tight. You can also buy
a replacement float switch component of your float switch assembly...
This things are pretty simple - no need to pay big bucks for them :-)

atomweaver

Pszemol; the MacGyver of r.a.m.f!!!

DaveZ
Atom Weaver

pszemol

:-)))))
I did not use chewing gum nor shoe string for anything in this project!

I've used the ultralife for several years without any real problems. Has
been very reliable for me.

Bob

roberto quijalvo

Have you looked into the non-mechanical switches?
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=254
I'm thinking about replacing my switches with these.

Bert

markw

Thanks for the help. I may consider making my own or ordering
something. I just have to think about it. The important part
obviously is that it's reliable.

pszemol

Your mechanical ones do not work ?
Why would you like to replace them ?

roberto quijalvo

Why replace them if they're working?
To find something more reliable. Just because they haven't failed yet,
doesn't mean it won't. There are countless tales out there of
failed mechanical switches. I don't have to personally experience the
failure to prompt a change.

Of course, that's not to say that the non-mechanical switches may not
have their faults too.

pszemol

How do you measure/compare their reliability ?
How can you be sure you do not replace something
reliable with something less reliable?
Just because switch is non-mechanical in a simple
sense does not necesairly mean it is more reliable.

It also does not mean it will.

I would rather protect myself from the failure and build some
extra flood protection (one more, emergency top switch)
than to worry about replacing the current set if it is working.

Then you realize this... ok, let's go back to my first question then :-)