2 Float switches in series and Apex

hipertec · 05/23/2020, 08:47 PM

I spent 2 hrs trying to get this figured out. Hooking up 2 float switches in series to turn off an Apex outlet if any of the switches are UP (open). Using the other as a backup in case the 1st float fails.

With it normal (both switches down-closed), if I pull any floats up, it turns off the outlet. So it's working correctly.

The problem is at normal state, I want it to be Open (both switches down), that way my Apex menu screen is not orange color.

So I reversed both float valves. This shows the screen as open BUT the valves will not turn off the outlet until BOTH floats are UP.
I tried very combination-wires, floats, programming, and can't get it to work showing normal state as OPEN and when EITHER UP (closed) on EITHER float to turn off the outlet.

Any idea to what I am doing wrong?

bhazard1 · 05/24/2020, 08:29 PM

Can't you wire to separate inputs and program each input?

slief · 06/01/2020, 11:56 AM

In series or parallel, the only redundancy you will get is when the outlets are open since BOTH switches will need to be in the open position for the circuit to truly be open. Thus, if one switch is still closed, the circuit will still be closed until both switches are in the open position. Closed will only require one of the 2 switches to close the circuit.

hipertec · 06/01/2020, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the inputs. I just went ahead and separated both floats to each input.
I originally didn't want to do this to keep the input available for future projects.

05/23/2020, 08:47 PM	#1
hipertec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California (Inland Empire) Posts: 1,266	2 Float switches in series and Apex I spent 2 hrs trying to get this figured out. Hooking up 2 float switches in series to turn off an Apex outlet if any of the switches are UP (open). Using the other as a backup in case the 1st float fails. With it normal (both switches down-closed), if I pull any floats up, it turns off the outlet. So it's working correctly. The problem is at normal state, I want it to be Open (both switches down), that way my Apex menu screen is not orange color. So I reversed both float valves. This shows the screen as open BUT the valves will not turn off the outlet until BOTH floats are UP. I tried very combination-wires, floats, programming, and can't get it to work showing normal state as OPEN and when EITHER UP (closed) on EITHER float to turn off the outlet. Any idea to what I am doing wrong?

06/01/2020, 11:56 AM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	In series or parallel, the only redundancy you will get is when the outlets are open since BOTH switches will need to be in the open position for the circuit to truly be open. Thus, if one switch is still closed, the circuit will still be closed until both switches are in the open position. Closed will only require one of the 2 switches to close the circuit. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

05/24/2020, 08:29 PM	#2
bhazard1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 51	Can't you wire to separate inputs and program each input?

06/01/2020, 12:43 PM	#4
hipertec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California (Inland Empire) Posts: 1,266	Thanks for the inputs. I just went ahead and separated both floats to each input. I originally didn't want to do this to keep the input available for future projects.