Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I want to install a floatswitch in my Skimmer waste container to turn off the skimmer if it was to ever get too full... I'm a noob when it comes to breakout boxes, can anyone point me in the right direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Do you have the breakout box module or is that what you need help with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 Do you have the breakout box module or is that what you need help with? I'm going to install one. Haven't purchased it yet. I want to make sure I have everything I need Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Pretty easy...put on one side of the wire in GND and the other in one of the "I" slots. Determine whether when the float is up whether that's Open or Closed. Here's my programming for my stand lights. I used a regular speaker wire for mine. Fallback OFFIf Sw1 OPEN Then ONIf Sw1 CLOSED Then OFF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 Pretty easy...put on one side of the wire in GND and the other in one of the "I" slots. Determine whether when the float is up whether that's Open or Closed. Here's my programming for my stand lights. Fallback OFF If Sw1 OPEN Then ON If Sw1 CLOSED Then OFF So just buy the breakout box and float switch and that's it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 It's pretty straight forward. You usually want normally open switches to monitor when something is full and normally closed to monitor when something is empty. You can actually do either and change the programming, but I prefer not to have current running through the switches all the time. Basically wire the 2 leads of the float switch to the breakout box. 1 lead goes in one of the numbered connectors and the other goes to ground. In your programming, you would use something like: IF Switch1 CLOSED Then ON I would also add a Defer 30 or similar in case there is any splashing or foaming that intermittently closes the float switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Also, if you want to DIY the actual breakout box, it's pretty easy with a 8 pin serial cable, a project box, and a few connectors, but the apex one is ready to go as is. Only pain is the ground is shared between all the switches which can get messy with all of the switches being used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Just connect the ends of the switch like this Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 It's pretty straight forward. You usually want normally open switches to monitor when something is full and normally closed to monitor when something is empty. You can actually do either and change the programming, but I prefer not to have current running through the switches all the time. Basically wire the 2 leads of the float switch to the breakout box. 1 lead goes in one of the numbered connectors and the other goes to ground. In your programming, you would use something like: IF Switch1 CLOSED Then ON I would also add a Defer 30 or similar in case there is any splashing or foaming that intermittently closes the float switch. Ok, so the plan is to use a larger container for my Skimmer waste, then use a float switch mounted to the lid to tell me when it's if if I fail to empty it and turn the skimmer off until I emply it. Currently i'm using a lead detector to tell me when my skimmer waste overflows... which is kind of annoying since it's already overflown when it notifies me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 How does the breakout connect to the Apex? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 Nevermind, it's on the head unit next to the PH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 anyone need anyting from BRS? haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 alright ordered them. I'll hit you guys up if I run into any issues! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 DIY version is much better than the Neptune version IMO. I can help, and I still have a few DIN cables left too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 DIY version is much better than the Neptune version IMO. I can help, and I still have a few DIN cables left too. What's a DIN cable? and i've already ordered the Neptune Break Out and a float switch so no going back there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 You are too quick on the order trigger! I made one DIY cheaper w/ this URL (in case you have another i/o port and want more sensors): https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?4566-Torx-s-DIY-10-Apex-Break-Out-Box I have 2 i/o ports. I made a single breakout box to handle both: #1-base wired as feed button w/ a momentary contact button. Hold it down for 5 secs, inits feed mode. #1-pm2 wired as water change button -the rest I used speaker terminals for ease of use (vs screw terminals) speaker terminals: http://amzn.com/B00DN82A8G buttons: http://amzn.com/B0097A8PK6 project box: http://amzn.com/B0002BENMI miniDIN cable: http://amzn.com/B0002GWN84 float switches: http://amzn.com/B00FHAEBIA switch bracket material: http://thd.co/1KhNX61 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Not that I'd ever deny a man his gadgets and toys, but didn't you just buy a gigantic skimmer waste bucket? You'd have to be gone for 2 months for that thing to fill up. Why on earth do you need this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Not that I'd ever deny a man his gadgets and toys, but didn't you just buy a gigantic skimmer waste bucket? You'd have to be gone for 2 months for that thing to fill up. Why on earth do you need this? i only have a 2gal bucket off my skimmer (5gal was a bit much and got smelly). if my skimmer or bucket fill up unexpectedly, something is wrong and i don't want lose too much water. paranoia baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Not that I'd ever deny a man his gadgets and toys, but didn't you just buy a gigantic skimmer waste bucket? You'd have to be gone for 2 months for that thing to fill up. Why on earth do you need this? My biggest thing is ease of disposal and monitoring... I don't plan on letting it fill all the way... Maybe half way Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Not that I'd ever deny a man his gadgets and toys, but didn't you just buy a gigantic skimmer waste bucket? You'd have to be gone for 2 months for that thing to fill up. Why on earth do you need this? My biggest thing is ease of disposal and monitoring... I don't plan on letting it fill all the way... Maybe half way Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Fair enough, on both counts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 I just have to figure out how to install the float valve on the lid so that it turns off the skimmer when it fills about half way Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I just have to figure out how to install the float valve on the lid so that it turns off the skimmer when it fills about half way Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk feed the leads through some 1/4 tubing.. the older and more rigid the better (so it stays straight). then the trick is to make the hole in the lid snug enough to hold the tubing in place. I used hotglue to seal the tubing to the top of the sensor making it semi-watertight. if the hole is too large and not snug, just wap a rubber band around the height you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 Ok so I got everything installed. I was thinking of adding a float switch in my ATO container to let me know when it needs refilling. However, the ATO is waay too far away to install as i'd purchase it. What type of wire would I use to extend it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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