sump pump float switch failure seeking advise from communty - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T05:40:45Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/sump-pump-float-switch-failure-seeking-advise-from-communty?feed=yes&xn_auth=noSwitch to smaller pump and ru…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-08-22:4778851:Comment:6137412015-08-22T18:01:37.118ZJack Rifehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JackRife
<p>Switch to smaller pump and run constantly, eliminate float switch, even commercial applications, float switches constantly cause problems. I use a 600 gph pump from Harbour Freight $42.00, pluged it in 4 yrs ago still going strong 24/7 700 gal total system GB and DWC. Swirl filter prevents waste build up in the sump tank.</p>
<p>Switch to smaller pump and run constantly, eliminate float switch, even commercial applications, float switches constantly cause problems. I use a 600 gph pump from Harbour Freight $42.00, pluged it in 4 yrs ago still going strong 24/7 700 gal total system GB and DWC. Swirl filter prevents waste build up in the sump tank.</p> you got a sump pump from harb…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-08-21:4778851:Comment:6137142015-08-21T06:38:45.746ZAdam McMillinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdamMcMillin
<p>you got a sump pump from harbor freight to last 3 years!?! I cant get a pump to last reliably for a year just in my basement. I would say you got a bargain.</p>
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<p>you got a sump pump from harbor freight to last 3 years!?! I cant get a pump to last reliably for a year just in my basement. I would say you got a bargain.</p>
<p></p> Big box stores have float swi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-06-02:4778851:Comment:6069232015-06-02T01:13:41.782ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Big box stores have float switches for under$20.</p>
<p>Big box stores have float switches for under$20.</p> Thanks Vlad, I have been loo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-05-29:4778851:Comment:6067292015-05-29T15:16:14.969Zmark gordonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/markgordon554
<p>Thanks Vlad, I have been looking at alternative pumps to move into as time allows; I took the old pump back yesterday, and it was still under warranty so I took home a brand new one, and </p>
<p>I do realize the pump from "harbor" is often considered "Junk". But looked at from a hobbyist perspective. When I first got started in the aquaponic garden building phase - I had know idea how much of a change this would create in our lives, and the lower price point was very attractive. So I…</p>
<p>Thanks Vlad, I have been looking at alternative pumps to move into as time allows; I took the old pump back yesterday, and it was still under warranty so I took home a brand new one, and </p>
<p>I do realize the pump from "harbor" is often considered "Junk". But looked at from a hobbyist perspective. When I first got started in the aquaponic garden building phase - I had know idea how much of a change this would create in our lives, and the lower price point was very attractive. So I found the biggest all steel pump that would be easy to service. and just got growing.</p>
<p> Now this gardening has become a daily part of my lifestyle, and as we expand, we will be upgrading to better equipment. </p>
<p>thanks for your input, your online discussions are very helpful </p>
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<p></p> Hi Mark,
Any 'ol halfway dec…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-05-25:4778851:Comment:6066192015-05-25T21:45:09.132ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>Hi Mark,</p>
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<p>Any 'ol halfway decent float switch should do (110v)...</p>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=float+switch+sump+pump&tbm=shop" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=float+switch+sump+pump&tbm=shop</a></p>
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<p>Whether or not they use a mercury ball to make the contact and close the circuit or not, most of them operate in a…</p>
<p>Hi Mark,</p>
<p></p>
<p>Any 'ol halfway decent float switch should do (110v)...</p>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=float+switch+sump+pump&tbm=shop" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=float+switch+sump+pump&tbm=shop</a></p>
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<p>Whether or not they use a mercury ball to make the contact and close the circuit or not, most of them operate in a similar fashion. Your "biggest question" in terms of "operational decision making" is whether your current float switch electrical plug is "piggybacked" onto your sump pumps, or has to be hardwired...</p>
<p>You may (or may not) want to stay away from the mercury ball float switch design (especially if your buying crappy Harbor Freight 'junk')...mercury introduced into an AP system via a faulty cheap float switch would suck...</p>
<p>But otherwise, there is nothing all that special about any number of liquid level switches that operate a pump (closes a circuit and turns a pump on, opens the circuit and turns the pump off) are all that "special". Keep the pump, just swap out the switch that operates the pump <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Smile.gif"/></p>
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<p></p> Anybody else want to add anyt…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-05-25:4778851:Comment:6064342015-05-25T05:54:23.433Zmark gordonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/markgordon554
<p>Anybody else want to add anything? Can anyone recommend a solid replacement float switch I can swap out with my wasted one. I plan on reuseing the pump until it dies, The whole purpose of the forum is for an exhange of ideas and info. </p>
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<p>thanks for the quick response Philippe,</p>
<p> I am going to check with our local Harbor freight outlet and see if I bought an extended warranty, who knows maybe they"ll give me a break on a new one. Anyway the pump is coming out tomorrow…</p>
<p>Anybody else want to add anything? Can anyone recommend a solid replacement float switch I can swap out with my wasted one. I plan on reuseing the pump until it dies, The whole purpose of the forum is for an exhange of ideas and info. </p>
<p></p>
<p>thanks for the quick response Philippe,</p>
<p> I am going to check with our local Harbor freight outlet and see if I bought an extended warranty, who knows maybe they"ll give me a break on a new one. Anyway the pump is coming out tomorrow evening, and the system will be idling for at least one day. </p> Hi Mark, an electric pump is…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-05-23:4778851:Comment:6065122015-05-23T18:06:26.647ZPhilippe Pauverthttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PhilippePauvert
<p>Hi Mark, an electric pump is aging when it starts, better said the motor. If you experience the first problem after 3 years it's not so bad. So try to spare the pump startups.</p>
<p>As for the float. Looks like the contacts are wasted, might be because the float is rated near or below the pump power. eg 10A for 15A...</p>
<p>I use the float to pilot a relay that actuates the pump. Electrician name that a contactor or whatever. I started to use them with the timers and other automations and…</p>
<p>Hi Mark, an electric pump is aging when it starts, better said the motor. If you experience the first problem after 3 years it's not so bad. So try to spare the pump startups.</p>
<p>As for the float. Looks like the contacts are wasted, might be because the float is rated near or below the pump power. eg 10A for 15A...</p>
<p>I use the float to pilot a relay that actuates the pump. Electrician name that a contactor or whatever. I started to use them with the timers and other automations and now they are always in the circuit.</p>