Wiring a float Switch

asred9 · 05/27/2013, 09:48 AM

Hi, I have recently bought a float switch can you pls tell me how to wire it? Do I attach it to the neutral or live wire.
Thanks

slief · 05/27/2013, 11:06 AM

What are you attaching it to? You need to provide more information. Float switches are typically used with a controller. In the case of an Apex, you would have a breakout box. One wire from the switch would go to the common and the other wire would go to one of several switch ports.

asred9 · 05/27/2013, 01:28 PM

Hi I will be attaching it to a 2-pin power head (live and neutral wires) it will be in a small tank with freshwater which it will pump water to the sump when water evaporates.
Thanks

Mark Bianco · 05/27/2013, 04:56 PM

Unless you have a float switch designed for 120v operation then do not use it in this manor You will need to do some research on building a relay circuit. This will keep the voltage and the apmerage down to a minuim, keep leathal voltages away from the tank and you.. Most of the float switches I looked at that is sold to the aquarium industry are only rated at less then 350ma.

There are some floats that can handle the required voltage and amperage. however most are not for aquarium use.

Mark

asred9 · 05/27/2013, 10:48 PM

Hi I was thinking to buy another one will this be good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-W...item2c6f45d892

Thanks

redfishblewfish · 05/28/2013, 06:59 AM

You’ll want to get a relay switch and DC power supply for that float switch….of any float switch. Check out AquaHub for parts, or buy one of their kits.

asred9 · 05/28/2013, 09:31 AM

Hi I forgot to mention that the power head that I will be using has the following specs:

220-240V~
50Hz
Qmax 264 l/h

So please can I just slice the power head wiring and just send in the little float switch in it so I buy all that expensive things.

thanks

Waddleboy · 05/28/2013, 09:36 AM

no you cant. you will risk a fire a electricity in the tank. you need to connect it as a relay in order for it to work

stevedola · 05/28/2013, 12:44 PM

Thats what i had to do...connect it to a relay and then connect it to a extension cord. works great as a skimmer kill switch.
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/...c-float-switch

Mark Bianco · 05/28/2013, 06:21 PM

IMO No this will not work. First off this is meant to be used on a dc or (direct current) circuit. I am assuming you have standard European voltage and most of that I know is 220 ac (alternating voltage). If you want perhaps you could contact the manufacture and ask them.. However I strongly recommend you reconsider this and either build or buy a step down relay circuit Is yours or someone who is close to you life worth about 80.00 Just a suggestion.

Mark

MrRyanT · 05/28/2013, 07:43 PM

Not sure if eBay link is allowed. If not then please remove. This is the relay I bought and wired mine the way you're describing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121034195696...84.m1497.l2649. My concern would be that yours may be a different voltage.

05/27/2013, 09:48 AM	#1
asred9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	Wiring a float Switch Hi, I have recently bought a float switch can you pls tell me how to wire it? Do I attach it to the neutral or live wire. Thanks

05/27/2013, 11:06 AM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	What are you attaching it to? You need to provide more information. Float switches are typically used with a controller. In the case of an Apex, you would have a breakout box. One wire from the switch would go to the common and the other wire would go to one of several switch ports. __________________ 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

05/27/2013, 01:28 PM	#3
asred9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	Reply Hi I will be attaching it to a 2-pin power head (live and neutral wires) it will be in a small tank with freshwater which it will pump water to the sump when water evaporates. Thanks

05/27/2013, 10:48 PM	#5
asred9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	mark reply Hi I was thinking to buy another one will this be good? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-W...item2c6f45d892 Thanks

05/28/2013, 09:31 AM	#7
asred9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	Power head specs Hi I forgot to mention that the power head that I will be using has the following specs: 220-240V~ 50Hz Qmax 264 l/h So please can I just slice the power head wiring and just send in the little float switch in it so I buy all that expensive things. thanks

05/27/2013, 04:56 PM	#4
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Unless you have a float switch designed for 120v operation then do not use it in this manor You will need to do some research on building a relay circuit. This will keep the voltage and the apmerage down to a minuim, keep leathal voltages away from the tank and you.. Most of the float switches I looked at that is sold to the aquarium industry are only rated at less then 350ma. There are some floats that can handle the required voltage and amperage. however most are not for aquarium use. Mark

05/28/2013, 06:59 AM	#6
redfishblewfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 716	You’ll want to get a relay switch and DC power supply for that float switch….of any float switch. Check out AquaHub for parts, or buy one of their kits.

05/28/2013, 09:36 AM	#8
Waddleboy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 766	no you cant. you will risk a fire a electricity in the tank. you need to connect it as a relay in order for it to work __________________ Justin Current Tank Info: 90g Reef

05/28/2013, 12:44 PM	#9
stevedola Master of my domain Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,466	Thats what i had to do...connect it to a relay and then connect it to a extension cord. works great as a skimmer kill switch. http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/...c-float-switch __________________ Cool Club Current Tank Info: coming soon...

05/28/2013, 06:21 PM	#10
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	IMO No this will not work. First off this is meant to be used on a dc or (direct current) circuit. I am assuming you have standard European voltage and most of that I know is 220 ac (alternating voltage). If you want perhaps you could contact the manufacture and ask them.. However I strongly recommend you reconsider this and either build or buy a step down relay circuit Is yours or someone who is close to you life worth about 80.00 Just a suggestion. Mark

05/28/2013, 07:43 PM	#11
MrRyanT MrRyanT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,731	Not sure if eBay link is allowed. If not then please remove. This is the relay I bought and wired mine the way you're describing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121034195696...84.m1497.l2649. My concern would be that yours may be a different voltage. __________________ We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle Current Tank Info: 30 gal display