Electricity help please?

sharuq1 · #1 06-24-2009, 04:33 AM

I want to build an ATO with 2 float switches, one for backup if the other fails, and a solid state relay. Unfortunately I'm electrically "disinclined" have been mucking with this thing for a while now and I cannot seem to get more than one switch to work. Both work fine without the relay, but I want to protect the switches by using the relay.

Can someone please post a picture of this with the wires connected correctly?

banditpowdercoat · #2 06-24-2009, 04:48 AM

OK, Your and mine paint skills need work, But here it is.

The Hot form the plug, goes through the switches, then to the coil side of the relay. The other side of the relay coil goes to the neutral. The Hot also goes to one of the relay contacts, the pump from the other. My paint skills suk, But I can do a Autocad of it tomorrow maybe. To late tonight

sharuq1 · #3 06-24-2009, 05:00 AM

If I do it this way will the plug on the extension cord still work?

banditpowdercoat · #4 06-24-2009, 05:03 AM

Yes, just plug it in and it will work. The float switches go to let power to the relay coil, and the relay contact acts like a switch to turn the pump on.

midgetwaiter · #5 06-24-2009, 05:07 AM

This is a not a good way to do this.

First you better make sure your float switches are rated for 110vac, the little cheap ones usually aren't.

Second, if your switches aren't sealed at the top you may want to think about this a bit, get them wet or submerged and you are going to electrify the tank.

It would be a far better idea to use a 12vdc circuit for the switches and use that to flip 110vac on the relay.

banditpowdercoat · #6 06-24-2009, 05:10 AM

Ya, I forgot to add that. IF the switches are rated for 110v then fine. If not, then NO.

mark · #7 06-24-2009, 05:27 AM

there was a good active diagram on RC a few months back showing the water level changing and switch action, put a post up asking for it. Got one link, not the one I was looking for but gives an idea. Follow from here,

sharuq1 · #8 06-24-2009, 06:15 AM

I don't have a 12v dealie yet. I have a 9v kicking around. Would that work? The wiring I tried didn't work. For now if I can just get it to work properly then I can put in the adapter thingie later, before I use it. Little more help?

mark · #9 06-24-2009, 06:36 AM

well if you haven't damaged your relay, the 9v will work.

follow the diagram in the link I put up but the 9V supply in series with the switches on the control. Your extension cord on the output, just imagine the the relays output as a switch on one wire (hot, on a polarized plug, the wire that connects to the narrow blade) of the extension cord.

midgetwaiter · #10 06-24-2009, 06:56 AM

If you ever plugged it in with the way you have it wired in the picture you probably need a new relay.

I'm trying to find a way to say this without being a prick... I don't really think that you're ready to put this together right now, you need to go and learn a little bit about how this stuff works, you don't have the right relay for what you are trying to do. It's going to fail if you connect 110v to that control side and it might fail ugly. Like gloriously aflame ugly.