Electricity help please?

[sharuq1]

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]

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]

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.

[sharuq1]

Well that sucks...... Yeah, the switches fried, but the relay still seems to work..if the led on it is any indicator anyway. Sooo I need new switches. Thanks for trying to help. Can anyone link me to the correct pieces for putting together this project so I don't screw it up a second time by any chance? If I can find all the right parts I will just get someone else to put the bloody thing together.

[mike31154]

For what you're trying to do, I believe you're going to need a different relay, one with more switching ability on the output side. The one you have only switches one circuit and you'll need more than that. I don't have a diagram handy at the moment but the link Mark provided is a good start and clearly shows the additional contact options of the more complex relay. You want a low voltage supply to run the float switch side of the circuit which in turn allows the relay to switch the 110 VAC circuit to run the pump or whatever you're using to top off your system. The control side of your current relay is low voltage at 3-32 VDC, you need to make sure the output or switched part is rated for 110 or higher VAC.

[mike31154]

Here's a very good circuit, with latching feature to cut down on relay chatter. Provides options for controlling either a powerhead or solenoid valve. All the stuff in contact with the water is on low voltage, much safer that way. As you can see the relay has NO and NC contacts for switching.

[subman]

Why do you want a relay so bad when you said it works with out it any way?
*Never mind I just re-read and you need the right equipment the relay was wrong or you need 120v float switches.

[sharuq1]

I'm a total electronics noob, so I think maybe it would be better (and safer) if I just bought one pre-made. Thank you everyone for your help, I really appreciate it. Had I not been a dummy and fried the switches (lol ) I would have kept at it. Maybe someone else can use that great diagram though. (I don't even understand it , haha!)