discretekarma October 8, 2007 October 8, 2007 (edited) I just finished hooking up my 6 stage Filter Guys RO/DI in my laundry room. Right now I just have it making water in to a bucket. I want to find out what is a good auto top off unit. I see some DIY's online but don't know what is reliable and what isn't. Can anyone point me in the right direction so I don't flood my house. Also, can someone tell me what size or type of pump I'd need to go from my laundry room, up about 6 -8 feet in to the ceiling and then about 30' through the drop ceiling and then down about 8' to my sump? Would a power head work or a mag pump? What size? Thanks Edited October 8, 2007 by discretekarma
YBeNormal October 8, 2007 October 8, 2007 If you want to try a DIY ATO, follow the link in this thread. It's fun to make, very functional and highly reliable. For a plug 'n play ATO, thry the JBJ ATO. BRK carries it in stock.
discretekarma October 8, 2007 Author October 8, 2007 Great thanks. I think I'll go with the built one. What about the pump? Any I have no idea if I'd need a big mag pump or a small power head. It's going up about 6 - 8 feet from my reserve tank, through the ceiling about 25 feet and then down to the sump.
dhogan October 9, 2007 October 9, 2007 Great thanks. I think I'll go with the built one. What about the pump? Any I have no idea if I'd need a big mag pump or a small power head. It's going up about 6 - 8 feet from my reserve tank, through the ceiling about 25 feet and then down to the sump. Check out the osmolator, comes with a pump. It uses a laser eye to check water level, and it has a mechanical valve for a backup.
discretekarma October 9, 2007 Author October 9, 2007 Looks nice but ouch...$175. I am going to try to build the one that YBeNormal mentioned. I went to Radio Shack and bought pretty much everything I think I need for about $30. I decided not to get a switch like the one on the link since I wasn't sure how to add that in or what it would do. If it's something worth having, please explain. I think YBeNormal and jnguyen4007 built the one with the switch so if you could explain what the switch is for and how to di it I'd appreciate it. I'd really like to have a switch that would turn the pump on manually but I wasn't sure if that's what yours does as it's not on the RC diagram. I'll post my status and/or if I need help other than the switch. Thanks Check out the osmolator, comes with a pump. It uses a laser eye to check water level, and it has a mechanical valve for a backup.
jason the filter freak October 9, 2007 October 9, 2007 Looks nice but ouch...$175. I am going to try to build the one that YBeNormal mentioned. I went to Radio Shack and bought pretty much everything I think I need for about $30. I decided not to get a switch like the one on the link since I wasn't sure how to add that in or what it would do. If it's something worth having, please explain. I think YBeNormal and jnguyen4007 built the one with the switch so if you could explain what the switch is for and how to di it I'd appreciate it. I'd really like to have a switch that would turn the pump on manually but I wasn't sure if that's what yours does as it's not on the RC diagram. I'll post my status and/or if I need help other than the switch. Thanks can you post pics of your build as well, i think it's well worth it for a 30 dollar build. where did you get the float switches>
discretekarma October 9, 2007 Author October 9, 2007 (edited) I bought my RO/DI from Bemmer over the weekend. She gave me a ATO that her husband had made her but it has a lot of open wiring and i'm not exactly sure how it's all put together so I decided it would be better taken apart for parts. The $30 was not including the floats. I'll take some pictures but I have NO idea what I'm doing so the pictures may really be for help more than guidance. Don't follow my lead. I think the relay are the wrong ones though so if someone could post the right part number. I saw on the RC post a diagram that had relay 275-220 so I got that one. Then when I got home I kept ready and saw that it says this is not the right oone but just an example. DOH!!!!!!!!!!! Is the link to the correct relay that I should go buy tomorrow? I think I'll be using this diagram since my reserve tank will be in a different room and wouldn't be convenient. If it would be recommended I'll figure out a way. I will have the Auto Shut off hooked up to the RO/DI so the tub should stay full. Thanks RC for the diagram. can you post pics of your build as well, i think it's well worth it for a 30 dollar build. where did you get the float switches> Edited October 9, 2007 by discretekarma
YBeNormal October 9, 2007 October 9, 2007 This is the relay you want: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...oductId=2049722 The switch on the one we built this week is nothing more than a lighted DC power switch wired in-line with the 12v power and before the relays. While the standard design has an LED that lights up when the 12v power is on, there may be times when you want to turn the unit off entirely (e.g. when doing water changes). These designs are pretty simple to build if you have basic electronics skills and know how to use a solder iron. Having access to a multimeter is also a huge plus.
discretekarma October 9, 2007 Author October 9, 2007 I've been working on the since yesterday evening and I just can't get it to work. I'm not sure why. When I have the 110 plugged in to the wall, the pump plug works but I can't get the 12v sides to work. I have the switch works too but for some reason it won't light up...not a big deal but it may indicate what's wrong. I am going to do some more tests just in case the light isn't working. I've been plugging in the 12v and looking for the Power light to come on. It hasn't. Oh and I'm up to $65. I don't have pics yet but I'll post some soon.
discretekarma October 10, 2007 Author October 10, 2007 Got a voltmeter. Now where getting somewhere. We had the 12v plug wired wrong.
YBeNormal October 10, 2007 October 10, 2007 Yep, that would make a difference. When testing James' ATO for the first time, we noticed that the light on the switch was not working right, the float switch for the top off reservoir was working exactly opposite of the way it should have worked and we did not appear to be getting 110v output when the relays kicked in. Rather than immediately trying to troubleshoot the setup, I suggested we walk away from it for a while to clear our heads. While watching TV, it dawned on me that the float on the float switch might have been turned over. I checked it with a meter and sure enough, it was. 5 second fix. I then looked at the on/off switch and realized that it required a ground (the one on mine does not). 15 second fix. Then I had a V8 moment and realized that we had been getting 110v output. The issue is that I had plugged a fan into the output as a test device and the fan switch would revert automatically to the "off" state when it lost power. All I had to do was push the power button on the fan and everything worked! 1 second 'fix'. Take your time, make sure all connections are solid and wired to the correct terminals and walk away if you begin to get tired or frustrated. I think you will be very happy with the ATO once you get it finished.
n8dogggg October 10, 2007 October 10, 2007 Sorry I didn't see this forum earlier. I haven't posted the equipment I am planning on selling since I am breaking down my tank...But in the list is a JBJ ATO which I bought for $100 at BRK about 5 months ago, I am looking to sell for $70. So if things don't work out the way you want it with the DIY...let me know via PM.
discretekarma October 10, 2007 Author October 10, 2007 I will let you know. Thanks. I think I've got it now though. It seems to work perfect in my testing. I'll be testing and posting pictures by this weekend. For anyone else that decides to build this...use Relay 275-206 from Radio Shack. Others will work but it's the 206 that's in the diagram so it'll be a lot easier. Otherwise it really is pretty straight forward for anyone that is interested in building this.
discretekarma October 11, 2007 Author October 11, 2007 (edited) Here are some pics. Edited October 11, 2007 by discretekarma
jnguyen4007 October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 Good job!!!!!! And you didn't think you could do it.... James
YBeNormal October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 Nice job! You mentioned earlier that you would like to have a switch that would turn the pump on manually. If you still want that, simply add a toggle switch inline with the wiring going to the float switches. That's the best thing about this ATO design, it's so easy to customize! Next project for you would be to make a remote switch to turn on the pump in your basement. :wink:
discretekarma October 11, 2007 Author October 11, 2007 This tank is in the basement as well as the RO/DI unit. One is in the laundry and the other is in the living room about 30' away.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now