DIY Float Switch Holder

Member No. 1 · 11/13/2015, 08:53 PM

My DYI adjustable float switch holder for the anal retentive reefer!
All PVC construction except for the floats.
Thumb screws are nylon.
This will attach to the top rim of my acrylic sump and hold the floats securely, while still being able to easily adjust the level at which they sit.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0UGY8gBYGoVaBA

n2585722 · 11/14/2015, 09:11 PM

Is that 1/4 " schedule 80 PVC pipe? If so where did you get it?

geekengineer · 11/14/2015, 09:22 PM

yeah I assume you had to order it or something.. I was thinking of maybe just printing it since patience waiting for ordering is pain for me. lol

Looks great..

outy · 11/15/2015, 01:16 AM

that's cool

I used a heat gun and a strip of plexi and molded it around my sump.

geekengineer · 11/18/2015, 11:02 PM

Ok I loved the design so much I had to 3D print it..

Forgive the funky color I couldn't find red for a good price at the time and tried this stuff and well I'm trying to get rid of it.

Member No. 1 · 11/19/2015, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekengineer

Ok I loved the design so much I had to 3D print it..

Forgive the funky color I couldn't find red for a good price at the time and tried this stuff and well I'm trying to get rid of it.

Awesome!
By the way, that design was patent pending...
I don't do paypal, so I'll pm you the address of where to send the frags!

Member No. 1 · 11/19/2015, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2585722

Is that 1/4 " schedule 80 PVC pipe? If so where did you get it?

Yes it is schedule 80
http://www.mcmaster.com/#48855k41/=zvjkbw

It's .540 OD .302 ID.
This was perfect as the ID is close to the tap drill size for the 3/8-16 thread that I needed to tap for the float switches.

Tube holder
http://www.mcmaster.com/#8740k26/=zvjmfc

Screws
http://www.mcmaster.com/#94323a840/=zvjmxa

But you can get these at the screw pic bins at Lowe's in the hardware section.

geekengineer · 11/19/2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

Awesome!
By the way, that design was patent pending...
I don't do paypal, so I'll pm you the address of where to send the frags!

lol I don't have much to offer..

Neurovet · 11/22/2015, 08:56 AM

Can you post the stl file for other to print....we would really appreciate it!!!

geekengineer · 11/22/2015, 10:05 AM

Would it be ok if I put this out on thingyverse or something I can't put it on here its too big of a file?

Neurovet · 11/22/2015, 02:46 PM

That would be awesome! Could you post the link here?

geekengineer · 11/22/2015, 03:30 PM

yeah I was sort of hoping member #1 would comment since its sort of his design but yeah I will do it if he's ok with it.

n2585722 · 11/22/2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

Yes it is schedule 80
http://www.mcmaster.com/#48855k41/=zvjkbw

It's .540 OD .302 ID.
This was perfect as the ID is close to the tap drill size for the 3/8-16 thread that I needed to tap for the float switches.

Tube holder
http://www.mcmaster.com/#8740k26/=zvjmfc

Screws
http://www.mcmaster.com/#94323a840/=zvjmxa

But you can get these at the screw pic bins at Lowe's in the hardware section.

Thanks, I orders some of the 1/4 pipe. I was using some 1/4 pipe I had that was black but ran out. I need more to add float switches to my storage tanks.

Member No. 1 · 11/22/2015, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekengineer

yeah I was sort of hoping member #1 would comment since its sort of his design but yeah I will do it if he's ok with it.

Upload away! That's why I put it here for everyone to enjoy!

geekengineer · 11/22/2015, 08:49 PM

ok I just want to be sure your ok with it hehe..

thingyverse is sort of weird about licensing at one time I not sure if it is an issue anymore. Something about they could patient it if they wanted it. I think it was mainly 3D printer innovations that was the rub of contention.

geekengineer · 11/22/2015, 09:12 PM

Ok here is your Link have fun.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1149059

Neurovet · 11/22/2015, 09:24 PM

Thats awesome, thanks to you both! So you printed the screws rather than bought them?

geekengineer · 11/22/2015, 09:53 PM

yeah but you can buy them if you like.. whichever makes ya happy.

Well especially if your printer can't do it.

iammrhappy · 12/17/2015, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

Yes it is schedule 80
http://www.mcmaster.com/#48855k41/=zvjkbw

It's .540 OD .302 ID.
This was perfect as the ID is close to the tap drill size for the 3/8-16 thread that I needed to tap for the float switches.

Tube holder
http://www.mcmaster.com/#8740k26/=zvjmfc

Screws
http://www.mcmaster.com/#94323a840/=zvjmxa

But you can get these at the screw pic bins at Lowe's in the hardware section.

I'm going revive this thread because you recommended it!

I have a question about how you threaded the pipe. How did you do it! hahah

Thanks again!

Member No. 1 · 12/17/2015, 04:38 AM

The pipe I selected had an ID that was close in size to the tap drill that is required for a 3/8-16 tap. By profession, I have access to all sorts of machining equipment, so I used a lathe to face off the ends square, then tap the tubing straight.

In the home shop, you can cut the tubing using a miter saw with a very fine blade to get a square end. Then tap it being very careful to keep the tap straight with the tub.

As a note, I have seen float switches with different threads. The ones I had happen to be 3/8-16. But I have seen 1/8-27 NPT (National Pipe Thread - which is tapered) and 10MM x 1.25 which is a metric thread.

Hope this helps, as I gave a vague explanation. If you need detailed or in depth information, feel free to ask.

zachts · 12/17/2015, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekengineer

Ok I loved the design so much I had to 3D print it..

Forgive the funky color I couldn't find red for a good price at the time and tried this stuff and well I'm trying to get rid of it.

I sooooo need to get me a one of those 3D printers, LOL....

geekengineer · 12/18/2015, 09:38 PM

lol YA you do.. its so cool although they aren't quite instant manufacturing yet.

zachts · 12/18/2015, 11:43 PM

Whaaaaat???? how many beers do you have to drink while waiting on it to make neat things? surely once you hit print you wake up with a new toy........not that I would condone leaving a piece of tech like that unattended.......it might try to take over the world..............................................some day we will have a proper replicator.....and...yes that is a star trek reference.!

12/17/2015, 04:38 AM	#20
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	The pipe I selected had an ID that was close in size to the tap drill that is required for a 3/8-16 tap. By profession, I have access to all sorts of machining equipment, so I used a lathe to face off the ends square, then tap the tubing straight. In the home shop, you can cut the tubing using a miter saw with a very fine blade to get a square end. Then tap it being very careful to keep the tap straight with the tub. As a note, I have seen float switches with different threads. The ones I had happen to be 3/8-16. But I have seen 1/8-27 NPT (National Pipe Thread - which is tapered) and 10MM x 1.25 which is a metric thread. Hope this helps, as I gave a vague explanation. If you need detailed or in depth information, feel free to ask. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

11/13/2015, 08:53 PM	#1
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	DIY Float Switch Holder My DYI adjustable float switch holder for the anal retentive reefer! All PVC construction except for the floats. Thumb screws are nylon. This will attach to the top rim of my acrylic sump and hold the floats securely, while still being able to easily adjust the level at which they sit. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0UGY8gBYGoVaBA __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

11/14/2015, 09:11 PM	#2
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 1,072	Is that 1/4 " schedule 80 PVC pipe? If so where did you get it?

11/14/2015, 09:22 PM	#3
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	yeah I assume you had to order it or something.. I was thinking of maybe just printing it since patience waiting for ordering is pain for me. lol Looks great..

11/15/2015, 01:16 AM	#4
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	that's cool I used a heat gun and a strip of plexi and molded it around my sump.

11/18/2015, 11:02 PM	#5
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	Ok I loved the design so much I had to 3D print it.. Forgive the funky color I couldn't find red for a good price at the time and tried this stuff and well I'm trying to get rid of it.

11/22/2015, 08:56 AM	#9
Neurovet Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 130	3D print STL Can you post the stl file for other to print....we would really appreciate it!!!

11/22/2015, 10:05 AM	#10
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	Would it be ok if I put this out on thingyverse or something I can't put it on here its too big of a file?

11/22/2015, 02:46 PM	#11
Neurovet Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 130	That would be awesome! Could you post the link here?

11/22/2015, 03:30 PM	#12
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	yeah I was sort of hoping member #1 would comment since its sort of his design but yeah I will do it if he's ok with it.

11/22/2015, 08:49 PM	#15
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	ok I just want to be sure your ok with it hehe.. thingyverse is sort of weird about licensing at one time I not sure if it is an issue anymore. Something about they could patient it if they wanted it. I think it was mainly 3D printer innovations that was the rub of contention.

11/22/2015, 09:12 PM	#16
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	Ok here is your Link have fun. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1149059

11/22/2015, 09:24 PM	#17
Neurovet Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 130	Thats awesome, thanks to you both! So you printed the screws rather than bought them?

11/22/2015, 09:53 PM	#18
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	yeah but you can buy them if you like.. whichever makes ya happy. Well especially if your printer can't do it.

12/18/2015, 09:38 PM	#22
geekengineer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: colorado Posts: 638	lol YA you do.. its so cool although they aren't quite instant manufacturing yet.

12/18/2015, 11:43 PM	#23
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	Whaaaaat???? how many beers do you have to drink while waiting on it to make neat things? surely once you hit print you wake up with a new toy........not that I would condone leaving a piece of tech like that unattended.......it might try to take over the world..............................................some day we will have a proper replicator.....and...yes that is a star trek reference.!