Got my level controller prototype done

So I've spent quite a long time working on this level controller, and there's a couple more tweaks that I want to make internally to it (i.e. connectors instead of soldered connections) but it functions exactly as it's supposed to.

Here it is in a nutshell.

Plug the wall-wart into the wall (I might be prototyping a different box that isn't a wall wart too.)

The current gets converted down to 12VDC via a transformer.

The float switches are running off of this 12VDC so that you're not running full voltage into the switches while they're in the water.

This is a low/high type float switch setup, most likely for a sump.

When the 'low' switch trips (when the sump is low) it will turn on a relay that controls the pigtail coming off of the wall-wart. This pigtail is 120V AC and could turn on a pump or open a solenoid.

When the water level rises, it gets to the 'high' switch, which in turn shuts the 120V pigtail off, turning the pump off or closing the solenoid.

I'm testing it on my tank right now just to make sure it all works as planned, and so far so good. I'm looking to put these into productions and I'm shooting for a sale price of $50-$60, but it all depends on my component pricing.

Later!
Eric

 

Good job....Isnt that the same thing as this?

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=UL1111

Its cool that you can make it yourself.

Jay

 

It's really similar to that, but it uses two float switches which allow your RO/DI to stay on longer and hopefully helps it last longer because it's not cycling all the time. I've got a ReefFanatics level controller and it only uses one switch (it's got a second switch for a fail-safe) but I can hear it clicking on and off frequently. With my new one, it should only turn the RO on once every day or two for a few minutes.

Eric