Auto Top Off Question (1 Viewer)

[chadhender]

Do you think it would be wise or even work to hook my RO unit straight to a solenoid and to a autotop off with 2 float switches for added protection. The problem is my tank evaporates about 25 gallons a week. Will my 100 GPD unit keep up with it if there is no holding tank?

 

[Wildfire]

This is the system I use, and it saves me a LOT of headaches. All four (4) of my "floods" were my failure to shut off the RO filling my fresh water resevior. Now there is the nice "click" when the solenoid opens, a dribble of water, and no mess.....

I evaporate somewhere between 10 and 15 gpd (guessing, based on RO run-times when I'm home) and my 80gpd keep up fine.

 

[Guest]

I would only do this if you use 2 separate solenoids, each hooked to a separate float switch. I used to use a solenoid for topoff water, and the tinyest bit of dust would stick the solenoid open. It happened to me several times - fortunately I was only using a 5g jug to topoff, so I never had more than a slight drop in salinity when it failed. If I had a potentially unlimited source of water (like an RO system) hooked up to it, I would definitely want 2 solenoids.

 

[Niko5]

2 Solenoids is a good idea!!! especialy if hooking direct to the Ro/DI because when your not topping off that solenoid is holding back 30 to 60 psi of water.

I have an ro/di tank that refills itself when it gets down to about 1" with a float switch then from there the water goes through a home made filter (like mike said any dust or anything jams the solenoids open) and after the filter down through another solenoid that is controled by a float switch in the tank.

 

[Cakepro]

Crap, Matt, your tank throws off 10 to 15 gallons of water PER DAY into your house? My 75 gallon blows off about 2 gpd; I wonder how much the 180 will.

 

[Guest]

If you're using lots of fans for cooling on your 180, you will probably want to invest in a dehumidifier. That's more moisture than your AC will be able to remove except during the hottest part of summer when it runs all the time.

 

[Niko5]

Matt are you sure your evaping 10 to 15 gal?? I dont see how that would be possable. thats ALOT of water and your fish room doesent feel wet

 

[chadhender]

Well I guess I may get 2 then....I am evaporating 25 a week and thats with a 120 I am in the process of hooking up a 215 that will be plumbed together. But I am going to hook up a chiller and turn off some fans. I just dont want to fill the holding tank everyweek.

 

[Niko5]

Where r you getting them?

www.mcmaster.com is the best i think./

 

[chadhender]

Well I have been using stuff made by www.autotopoff.com

He is really cool.

I will check these guys out though

 

[Niko5]

You can get that same solonid for $18 at MCMaster Part #7877K53

 

[Guest]

What about doing a float valve in the sump then adding a solenoid or two for backup?

That way the float valve does most of the work and since its no electronic it is probably less like to fail. I know people who have used the same float valve for years with out any problems.

 

[Niko5]

Sometimes the float valves cant hold back the 40 to 60 PSI they arnt rated for it sometimes they do and sometimes they only drip.. mine drips when its "off"

 

[Guest]

well if it already drips just add kalk and all your problems are solved

 

[landfish]

Hey Nick

Maybe you could do a DYI workshop on auto top off systems.

Topics that you could include

· Float valve vs. float switch
· Places to by parts
· How to wire up a float switch to 12v (as I would not want 110V going through a float switch)
· How to design backup switches to avoid floods
· RO/DI reservoir design


I am sure I could figure out these things but it would be nice to have some one go over it that has set up one before


I have enjoyed your hits in other threads using the ATO RO/DI reservoir devise as I am planning on making a reservoir with one and a kalk reactor to do my top off.

Just an idea for s possible workshop as it seems like these is interest in this subject


John

 

[Niko5]

Maybe we could include that when Mike and I do the plumbing workshop.. its in the same catagory...

 

[landfish]

sounds like a good idea to me

 

[DonnieKim]

an auto topoff workshop we put in the money for the parts and we all build our own?!!!!!!!
That way we could all have a state of the art autotopoff system!

I lllllllllllllllllike it!
Donnie

 

[Niko5]

I dont know about state of the art haha if you have enough money we could The one designed for my tank and have yet to build because I added up all the parts and it was about $150. It was really neat though

 

[Guest]

Geez - for that much just get a Tunze Osmolator.