ATO help

[dylpik27]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-top-off-water-refill-system-AquaVim-/130382207901?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D280775845611%26ps%3D54">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-top-off-water-refill-system-AquaVim-/130382207901?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D280775845611%26ps%3D54</a>

Has anyone used this system before? I acquired one and have ran it a few days without problems, but I'm concerned with it's quality. I'm leaving for a 2 week vacation, so I read up on ATOs and the importance of utilizing a relay when setting one up. I don't believe this system uses one and I'm nervous to leave it setup when I'm gone. The retailer said he's sold thousands without problems, though. Anyone have any experience??

 

[islandreef]

Sorry man, no experience with this one. I have the JBJ ATO and it works like a charm, when I go on vacation I hook up a 10 Gallon Container and thats all she wrote, when I get back nothing has run dry. Fixing my other problem though, where I loose suction and it starts pumping all my RO/DI water into my sump. That will be fixed shortly.

 

[spankdog]

That looks like a pretty basic set up and should work fine as long as the float switch is working properly. I am not sure but I believe that is a low voltage pump and you probably don't need to worry about using a relay for it. As long as nothing can interfere with the float switch it should work fine.

 

[eagle9252]

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">What powers the pump?</span></span>

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">If the pump is dc then it&#8217;s ok. </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">The power feeds one side of the float and one side of the pump and then a wire in between. When the float drops only about 1/16&#8221; it connects the power and turns the pump on until it will up and raises the float.</span></span>

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">But if it&#8217;s 120v ac. That&#8217;s a no no. </span></span>

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">you are putting deadly electricity in water. If something could happen a leak or nick the wire or anything you could harm yourself and the tank mates or worse kill something or someone. Yes, we use power heads and such but they are double insulated for this reason. That float has very little insulation on the wires. Floats that most people use are not designed for higher amps or high current flow through, granted that pump does not draw much but you do not want to take the chance or think it would be ok with a large pump set up.</span></span>

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">You should use a setup that in the water the floats are low current dc and out of the water uses relays to trigger the pump. This keeps the 120vac away from the float. I will post some pics later. I have a couple of the seahorse tank setup. I used the same dc power supply and separate relays for the 2 ATO systems.</span></span>

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">Rich has a system that totally has no power ac or dc inside of the ATO.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px"></span></span>

 

[dylpik27]

The float switch works great, and I don't believe the pump is a low voltage pump either. However, the transformer is a 120v ac. Both the pump and the float switch plugs into it.

 

[spankdog]

The fact that it has a transformer means it is probably a low voltage DC pump. Does the transformer show the output voltage on it?

 

[ronnieblaze]

I think the price is too high what it is, I think i paid way less for the DIY version that i bought, But i got it so long ago i dont remember.


Here is a cheap DIY

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/diy/64681-chipmunks-diy-ato-guide-step-step.html">http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/diy/64681-chipmunks-diy-ato-guide-step-step.html</a>

Found the site that i bought mine from.

[IMG]http://www.autotopoff.com/products/">http://www.autotopoff.com/products/</a>

 

[dylpik27]

Says the output is 12V ac. I'm not considering buying it. I already have it and want to know if I'm going to have any problems with it.

 

[eagle9252]

as i stated.

i would not trust the float with ac in the water. the pump is not very big to make a large draw but nonetheless. i would not put ac through that float and put it in the tank.


i thought i put the link for what i did.

you have most of what you need. i would get a 12vdc source and the relay and holder and run the float in 12vdc

 

[dylpik27]

Thanks