Lapierre Vertical Electric Releaser Float String

[Amber Gold]

I have a 3' tall Lapierre electric releaser with the float switch and floats setup. Twice now, the float string has broken on me where it wraps around the float switch. Fortunately I had a spare line, so I'm all set for now. Is there an alternative to the line that Lapierre uses that's more durable? It reminds me of fishing line.

Thanks

[S.S.S]

how old is this unit?

[heus]

I agree that it is a poor design. I have burned the seals up on two goulds pumps because a chipmunk has gotten into my pump house and chewed the line in half, tripping the pump switch. It was also my fault for not turning off the breaker. Both times were at the end of the season before cleanup.The Bernard electric releaser, that is almost identical, uses a rod with its float system.

[PARKER MAPLE]

I never installed a ground haven't had any problems. The tube that the existing floats ran up and down I'd where I installed the high and low probes. This allows some protection from sap splashing and giving a false start up. As far as the plug in goes. What I also did was wired up a switched outlet. Plug it in one side and a light bulb on other side. Bulb is great so I can make sure it's on at quick glance. And also works to warm the pump house.
Good luck

[Amber Gold]

Below is a post that a fellow trader posted on my thread. I thought in the interest of keeping information together for future reference, I copied it here to continue the discussion.

If you have more trouble with the string you can use the HC6000 Hi Lo to operate the 120V coil of a double pole contactor. I used the one in the link for a Vacuum pump starter, for a little more $ you might be able to get a name brand like Siemens. It is simple to build in a little project box and keep it clean looking. Add a 120V plug to small gauge wire, plug into HC6000, terminate wires on the coil of the contactor. Then you can cut or add a break in your 220V pump wires and hook each side of your pump to the terminals on the contactor. Unlike if the string breaks, if this fails the pump is not going to run "usually" which may save your pump from burning up. Not sure if what I typed makes sense? With the aggravation of the string unit I had last year I figured I'd mention an option for 220V. This method is used often in industry when small control relays control large motor/loads.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KGSJ74...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[Amber Gold]

Shaun, I think I get what you're getting at. Although I've learned a lot about electrical from sugaring, I'm not an electrician, so I want to make sure I understand the flow of things correctly.

Install the contactor in an electrical enclosure.
Plug the hi/lo switch into the wall (120V)
Cut an extension cord for the male side of the plug with a pig tail.
Wire the pig tale to the little terminals on the contactor.
Connect the power supply to the power terminals on one side of the contactor
Connect the the pump wires to the opposing side of the contactor.

The contractor is normally closed, so the pump doesn't run unless there's a signal coming from the hi-lo switch. The signal comes in through the pigtail. Do I have this correct?

Into the enclosure, could I also include a bypass switch to turn the pump on manually? Wire from the power supply side, switch, to pump side. I think that'd work.

I think I'd be into this setup for $125-150. Much better than the $500 I was quoted.

Thanks again Shaun.

[Shaun]

I installed the HC6000, it seems to work well. I removed the float and pipe inside the extractor which makes it easy to clean. I installed a deep well pump so grounding does not seem to be an issue. The only thing is you cannot turn the pump on when you want without plugging it in direct, not a huge deal.

[PARKER MAPLE]

I had same problem, and replaced it several time. Finally went with a high/low switch for a sump pump. It's been working flawlessly ever sence. One prob on the bottom to shut pump off and one on top turns it on.

[Amber Gold]

The unit is maybe four years old.

Parker, do you have more info on what you used to wire it? Maybe I'll do the same.

Thanks guys.

[NH Maplemaker]

Josh, a couple of seasons back my releaser string failed like yours and I replaced it with a good quality fly fishing line and it has been fine ever since !