autotopoff.com switch failed!

[fritz]

Hey all,
I remember when I ordered my dual float switch from autotopoff.com some people laughed. Some people recomended not getting a dual, that a single float switch was plenty. Well last night I filled up my 5 gallon auto top off tank with RO/DI and went to sleep. This evening when I came home I noticed my skimmer had skimmed very wet and my top off resevior was almost empty! I looked at my sump and the water was way high. Upon sloer inspection my float switch got stuck in the on position and dropped my sg to 1.22 by adding in 4 gallons of RO/DI. Luckily the 2nd switch tripped and saved me from burning out a pump.

I'm going to contact autotopoff.com to see what they'll do. Is there some type of maintenance I'm missing with float switches or is this just a fluke electronic failure?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

is 1.022 bad?

 

[jhale]

you need to take them out and soak them in vinagar every few months.

the same thing happened to me with the same switch.
I clean mine all the time now and it has never done that again.

dual float switchs rock, singles are for fools.

 

[R32Brightliner]

Yeah. I agree. Dual float switches rock !!! Definitley the best way to go. I have had mine for over a year. I like the extra security. Single switch is not a wise idea...

 

[House of Laughter]

Fritz,

Man, good catch but bummer it happened - 2 yrs on the same float switch and never took it out to soak - flawless.

I really wish you guys would consider these switches as auto-top-off instead of the ones you've been buying - they always seem to fail one way or another.

Hope everything works out and that your animals don't freak out too much

House

 

[regal]

I only have the single switch from ultrafloat, but the electrical solenoid which is connected to it for topoff is on a timer. So even the switch gets stuck, I will only get about 1 hr worth of water produced by the RO/DI. Something you may want to consider as an extra safety.

 

[TimberTDI]

That's why I use a tunze osmolator.

1) The precise water level is ensured by a non-wearing optical sensor and a transistor switch without any moving parts. This sensor is insensitive to soiling, light or magnetic fields.

Its “automatic eye” recognises the water level precisely, even small waves or level variations cannot irritate the unit.

(2) An independent safety sensor with a separate power supply circuit and relay control ensures reliable overflow protection

 

[Pedro]

Timber,

I am 100% with you. My osmolator doesn't fail me. I just make sure the eye is clean. Even if something happens, the secondary float switch will kill it. Another one of those "Glad i bought it" gadjets!

 

[fritz]

Jim which float are you using? Timber and Pedro, some of the RC threads describe the tunze osmilator as a "I spent $100 bucks on this?" device. A float seems like such a simple device. It seems every piece of equipment now preys on our fears:
"Isn't it worth $100 to protect your investment?" Sure, I spent so much on my reef, of course it's worth it. That argument can be made for each piece of equipment we have. Every manufacturer could milk us for some extra cash with that tag line. I say enough! Enough damnit! Enough milking us for our cash, give me some value.

Any recomendations for float switch other then (or including) the osmilator?

 

[House of Laughter]

Fritz,

I have been using this float switch since I started reefing - i have NEVER had it stuck, blocked by snails or fail - EVER!! I recently bought two for the business and actually one was shooting stray voltage into it. The guy sent me one in the mail no questions asked - he only asked that I send the defective one (which I did) - it's a no brainer man.

If you want protection you can get 2 and set one to shut something off if it gets too high - all you have to do is slip the C clamp off the end and flip over the white barrell. SIMPLE

I swear by these things. Oh, and for a couple bucke extra, the guy can make the cords a little longer if you need.

Also, speak to Jackson about his osmolator rusting in his tank! :banghead:

Hope that helps!

 

[jhale]

there's nothing wrong with the float switches autotopoff uses.

these are the switches they use, http://madisonco.com/level/HVAC.htm

float switches should be cleaned at least a couple of times a year.

chances are they won't stick, but it should be part of your regular tank maintenance.

 

[pecan2phat]

Litermeter III here, so no switches to fail. Just observation of evaporation rates.

 

[scumonkey]

I use a Tsunami AT-1 Auto...no moving parts -works on preassure!

 

[Wes]

i had a float switch from autotopoff.com fail. Glad i went for the dual switch mount. They were really great about getting it fixed. Havn't had any problems since.

 

[MikeC]

My duel float switch from atotopoff.com FAILED it dumped 7 gallons of RODI into my sump this morning the ***** of it is my sump only has room for 6 extra gallons so one went on the floor I have not cleaned it because it was only running for 4 months maybe that's my fault.

I ordered the tunze osmolator this morning.

 

[NL146]

My duel float switch from atotopoff.com FAILED it dumped 7 gallons of RODI into my sump this morning the ***** of it is my sump only has room for 6 extra gallons so one went on the floor I have not cleaned it because it was only running for 4 months maybe that's my fault.

I ordered the tunze osmolator this morning.

Sorry to hear that. Do you mean that both switches failed? Or was there some problem in the setup?

 

[MikeC]

Sorry to hear that. Do you mean that both switches failed? Or was there some problem in the setup?

Both switches failed no snails,no salt creep just water over both switches and on the floor I'm just glad I was home.

 

[NewfiDog]

Tunze love it, cost more but it makes me feel safer.

 

[ecvernon]

I better check mine been running For some years now. Never did any maintenance on it. I wasn't aware I should soak it to clean it

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

wow this is a old thread.