head tank float switch

[red maples]

I searched around but I am not coming up with what I am looking for.

I wanna put a float switch in my head tank so I don't have to worry about filling it and over flowing it because I had to do something else!!!

Does anyone have a web link or a type that they used?

[lew]

I use a pedastal sump pump switch, but turn it upside down. so that when the float goes up, it turns the pump off instead of on. I had to put a couple od weights on the float to make it dependable in the reverse. That is to say that when the float goes down the pump comes on. the extra weight made sure it came on. I just put a couple of small hose clamps around the shaft of the float to adjust how much sap is kept in the head tank. I have mine adjusted so that there is only 2 inches of variance in depth. You can buy a replacement switch at Lowes for cheap.

[shane hickey]

I use a pedastal sump pump switch, but turn it upside down. so that when the float goes up, it turns the pump off instead of on. I had to put a couple od weights on the float to make it dependable in the reverse. That is to say that when the float goes down the pump comes on. the extra weight made sure it came on. I just put a couple of small hose clamps around the shaft of the float to adjust how much sap is kept in the head tank. I have mine adjusted so that there is only 2 inches of variance in depth. You can buy a replacement switch at Lowes for cheap. Yes that is exactly what I did but the only thing that I would add Is a light to the same switch so when the pump kicks on and the tanks is filling the light comes on to show everything is working and the light will shutt off when the tank is full. The reason that I do this is because I cant see the tank and I cant hear it filling because of the steem away so the light really helps me. shane

[Dan W]

Yuo can gat a reverse acting float switch from Grainger or McMaster Carr that will do exactly what you want.

[Southtowns27]

I went with the upside down pedestal sump pump float switch as well. I also added an additional switch that turns on a light when the level gets low. This way I know if I'm getting low on sap in the feed tank.

[michiganfarmer2]

here is a reverse float switch

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SQUARE-D-Float-Switch-3DZV6?Pid=search

[SeanD]

So, is the pump itself immersed in the head tank and it pulls from the tank outside? When I think of sump pumps they suck from the bottom and push out the top. Am I just thinking about the wrong kind of pump here?

Sean

[red maples]

I don't use a sump pump I use a transfer pump. But it will work just the same you just need to make sure your pump is always primed by using good foot valve and plug the pump into the switch.

[802maple]

I have also used the pedestal pump switch and the price is very reasonable, something like 15 dollars

[Teuchtar]

I just picked up float switches from this outfit:

http://www.pioneerbreaker.com/

They will pump down (as in drain a sump) or pump up (as in fill a tank)

[dnap63]

This is what I use, it's from grainger (model 3BY74) normally closed float switch $38.00 I have this float switch in my head tank, I have a sump pump in my holding tank which plugs directly into the plug on the end of the float switch as the level drops it turns on the pump and turns it off when full. you control the depth by how you mount it.

[SeanD]

This is an older thread, but it's the most recent I could find on reverse float switches. I have a couple of questions about two switches recommended here.

First, the sump pump switch turned upside-down. like this one:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_144689-15649-PPPRS-1_0__?productId=1017553&Ntt=float+switch&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dfloat%2Bswitch&facetInfo=

How does it get wired? It seems like it would need to be hard wired with a plug for power and for the pump. What parts would I need for that?

Or this one recommended by dnap63 from Grainger:

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-Float-Switch-Nc-3BY74?s_pp=false

This one is ready to be plugged in and used right out of the box, but it says "normally closed". Wouldn't that mean that it is off when it is hanging down and turns on when it rises up?

Thanks,
Sean

[lpakiz]

SeanD,
Normally closed means that the CONTACTS are closed in its normal position. NC hanging down means it is telling the pump to run. When the tank is full, the contacts OPEN, thus shutting off the pump. I think NC is what you want in your head tank.
I don't think you want the pump in the head tank, trying to suck sap up. You want the pump in the supply tank, which is usually on the ground, or at least at a lower level than the head tank. The (sump?) pump pushes sap up to the head tank until the float switch contacts "open". When the level falls to your specified level, the contacts "close", thus turning on your pump. When the switch has both NC and NO, it means that you can choose either method.

[SeanD]

Great. Thanks for the explanation. I should have figured closed referred to a closed circuit - therefore "on" not like a valve where open means on, but it's good to have the confirmation before putting in the time and money. That's the one I'll go with then.

I'll have my transfer pump down on the floor between the collection barrels and the head tank. I'll just need to rig something to set the float's depth. I think I can just clamp it to a vertical rod that hangs down into the head tank from above. That way I can adjust it. Then with a couple of extension cords, I'll be in business.

Thanks!

Sean

[SeanD]

I decided against the Dayton switch b/c it has a comment on the bottom of the page that it contains a chemical banned in California. It's a mechanical switch so it shouldn't have mercury in it. I don't know what is dangerous about it. It's probably ok. I decided to play it safe and went with this one that is for potable water.

http://www.rcworst.com/sje-rhombus-30sgmpcnc-signalmaster-control-switch-normally-closed-30-cord/

Sean

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I have same style and I bought mine from FW Webb

[SeanD]

I goofed. This switch I got does not have a piggyback plug on it. Is that something easy to get and put on or should I just get another. What I really liked about this one was that it had a 30' cord and I wouldn't have had to use extension cords.

Sean