My (semi) AutoTopOff

[Michaelr5]

I got tired trying to keep my water level constant, so now that I have a sump, it's time for a topoff system. Being financially challenged , I decided to make my own. I started with a 1 1/2 in to 1 in PVC reducer and a piece of a medical glove (I have purple nitrile gloves which have no latex in them).

I cut a small hole in the center of the glove, and siliconed it to the bottom of the reducer and trimmed it when dry

A ping pong ball will now float up and seal itself against the hole.

Next, insert the reducer into a 1 1/2 in PVC coupling. A small holl drilled just below the center (and the purple seal) will allow any trapped air to escape. A 1 in plug with an airline tubing adapter glued in is glued to the reducer. A small ring of plexi glued to the bottom (not shown) lets the ball move freely, but not fall out. I threaded 2 nylon screws into the top to hold the unit at the top of my return pump well.

In operation, as the sump fills, the pingpong ball floats up and seals against the glove material like, well, a glove, cutting off the flow of water from a 2 1/2 gal bucket with an airline tubing adapter at the bottom. As the level falls, so does the balll letting top off water in.


Cost less than $5.00

[Blade_Runner]

Wow, that is pretty neat. I'd just make sure not to have enough water in the bucket to overflow the sump just in case the seal doesn't hold.

[Michaelr5]

I thought of that. My sump is a 29G tank and has about 10 gal free space, my tank drains about 6 if I turn the pumps off.

I also did find that the turbulence from the pump was causing the ball to bounce a little, so I added a 6" piece of 1 1/2 in pipe to the bottom of the coupler. That creates a quiet pool for the ball to float on and stabalized the level.

Mike

[Matt Rogers]

Wow. I had to look over your post a couple times to figure out what you did. Nice work! That is cool.

How far does the water drop in the sump before this kicks in?

[Michaelr5]

about 1/2 in or less. That's why I picked the ping pong ball. Very bouyant but very little mass so it seals and releases quickly.

Mike

[Jason McKenzie]

Very cool Michael, brilliant Idea

J

[Michaelr5]

Thanks Guys
It's always nice to get kudos from peers! :smile:

[mmakay]

Nice design. Karma for engineering!

[Michaelr5]

Well after 3 months of playing with this, I have found out a couple of things.

1. the purple nitrile glove material over time loses its stretch and the seal.
2. I was still getting a little bouce when the sheet was new.
3. By reducing the size of the hole and using a ring of silicone sealer around it, I was able to get a good seal.
4. I found a commecial float valve for 12.99 here

So, although it was fun to design and build. I went with option 4

Hey, the experience was great.