Need a Solenoid for my auto top off system

[sheac12]

After setting up my auto top off system I found I had a "small" problem. The original system had the lift plump under the main tank and at a higher elevation then the kalk stirrer. This doesn't work. Turns out that while the lifter can pull the water from the reserve tank, 10 ft vertically away and four feet higher, it cannot stop the water flow once started. The problem is the lifter starts a siphon due to the length of pipe. I tried moving the lifter to onto top of the water reserve, thinking that that this would stop the, siphoning effect, but that was faulty logic, as the total length of the pipe is still the same.

 

The best solution I can think of is using a solenoid on either the input or output of the lifter to shut off the once once the lifter turns off. The problem is I cannot seem to find a solenoid that isnt brass and is affordable. I did find a solenoid on recommendation for Manhattan reefers, http://www.stcvalve.com/Direct_Acting_Solenoid_valve_specifiaction-2P.htm, but I am worried as the armature tube is brass and the plunger and spring are stainless steel.

 

Does any know if this is going to be a bad thing, since brass is a combination of copper and zinc?

 

If so anyone know of a lifter pump that has a shut off on the output, or an other solenoid that would work?

[cabrego]

have you thought about using a check valve?

 

Also one of these could work...

 

http://www.autotopoff.com/solenoid/

 

 

I would not use any metals fwiw.

Edited June 8, 2010 by cabrego

[sheac12]

have you thought about using a check valve?

 

Also one of these could work...

 

http://www.autotopoff.com/solenoid/

 

 

I would not use any metals fwiw.

 

Check valve wouldn't stop the flow once the lifter turns off, as the siphon just continues to pull the water out of the reserve, thought about it and tried it.

 

That solenoid would work. I didn't know about autotopoff.com. I check BRS and they didnt have anything. I will also check air water ice, thanks for the suggestion!

 

Wow, autotopoff is really expensive on their shipping. $10 for a solenoid????

Edited June 8, 2010 by sheac12

[Coral Hind]

Another option for you: http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-1243-electronic-shut-off-solenoid-valve-with-qc-fittings.aspx

[johnnybv]

Check valve wouldn't stop the flow once the lifter turns off, as the siphon just continues to pull the water out of the reserve, thought about it and tried it.

 

That solenoid would work. I didn't know about autotopoff.com. I check BRS and they didnt have anything. I will also check air water ice, thanks for the suggestion!

 

Wow, autotopoff is really expensive on their shipping. $10 for a solenoid????

How about a simple siphon break? put a t in the high point with a check valve that closes whent eh vaccum is off. also your lfs may has electronic solenoids depending on where you live.

john

Edited June 8, 2010 by johnnybv

[rocko918]

you need a siphon break. tee off your return line and run a hose up the back of the tank or really high that the water can not reach. When the lift turns off it will break the siphon.

 

Great minds think alike. ^^^^ Got mine from John.

Edited June 8, 2010 by rocko918

[sheac12]

How about a simple siphon break? put a t in the high point with a check valve that closes whent eh vaccum is off. also your lfs may has electronic solenoids depending on where you live.

john

 

See now why can't you have a store in Maryland John? Good advise likes this makes me want to drive the 1.5 hr to your store!

 

I tried the tee at the apex of the line and it worked perfectly for me ( configured like below)

 

pipe to air

|

|

lifter ===> tee ===> to tank

 

Where would the check valve go in this case?

[johnnybv]

See now why can't you have a store in Maryland John? Good advise likes this makes me want to drive the 1.5 hr to your store!

 

I tried the tee at the apex of the line and it worked perfectly for me ( configured like below)

 

pipe to air

|

|

lifter ===> tee ===> to tank

 

Where would the check valve go in this case?

 

You could put a check valve at the top of the pipe to air that would only allow air in and no liquid out, it would just be another failsafe...

john

[reefhunter]

BRK (and bro) saves the day again!

[dbartco]

Colin, come to the social on the 19th. 1.5 hours for fishies, cookout, and reef talk makes the drive worth while.

 

I'd also go with the siphon break before the soleloid. Solenoids tend to sieze up after a while, especially in kalk/topoff enviroments. Could lead to kalk overdoses, and we have seen too many horror stories on here

[sheac12]

Colin, come to the social on the 19th. 1.5 hours for fishies, cookout, and reef talk makes the drive worth while.

 

I'd also go with the siphon break before the soleloid. Solenoids tend to sieze up after a while, especially in kalk/topoff enviroments. Could lead to kalk overdoses, and we have seen too many horror stories on here

 

Man I wish I could be at the BRK social, but I have to fly home to chicago for a wedding, which my wife is in. If it was up to me I would be at BRK. I have been down to John's store and fell in love, the place clean, organized and the people working there are excellent, and well worth the drive!

 

I am going to skip the solenoid altogether. I was going to use it between the lifter and the kalk stirrer, but the siphon break works so well I am skipping the solenoid.