pewpewkittah Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 I need some help with my DIY ATO. Please excuse my complete lack of knowledge with electricity. I'm trying to follow these guides: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/367374-diy-ato-wbackup-pump-saver-30-50-auto-top-off/ http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/373184-ato-cheap-safe-well-explained/ I've got everything connected, not sure if it is correct.. I move either of the float switches and they are triggering the relay to make a clicking noise. However, turning on/off either of the float switches isn't triggering the pump to turn on. Here's some pictures so maybe someone can try to help me figure out the problem I am having! Thanks in advance. Link to comment
Matteo Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 do you have the pump actually powered to something? Link to comment
pewpewkittah Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 do you have the pump actually powered to something? I believe so, I split the cable and put one end into the negative slot of the power supply and the other to the "87" on the relay. Just like this picture illustrates. I also tried switching the cables on the pump and it just shut my power off in my house! I figured that wasn't the way it was supposed to be connected so I switched it back. Link to comment
Matteo Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 hard to tell from pictures:/ I say un do everything, start from wall (unplugged) and go from there! Link to comment
ajmckay Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Can't see pictures at work but I'll try to comment tonight. You shut the power off in your house? That can't be good. Do you have a DC pump or an AC pump? Link to comment
chipmunkofdoom2 Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Wait, what pump are you using? I see an Aqualifter in your picture there. Aqualifters are strictly AC only pumps, they can't be run with DC. The power supply you're using is DC. Link to comment
pewpewkittah Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 Can't see pictures at work but I'll try to comment tonight. You shut the power off in your house? That can't be good. Do you have a DC pump or an AC pump? Wait, what pump are you using? I see an Aqualifter in your picture there. Aqualifters are strictly AC only pumps, they can't be run with DC. The power supply you're using is DC. Crap... I didn't know I was supposed to have a DC pump. I have an Aqua lifter. Any solutions to this or do I have to buy a DC pump? Link to comment
ajmckay Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 Wait, what pump are you using? I see an Aqualifter in your picture there. Aqualifters are strictly AC only pumps, they can't be run with DC. The power supply you're using is DC. Yep this... Two options to fix: 1) Buy a DC pump. I used a DC pump because they're usually slower than AC (aqualifter being an obvious exception). What size power supply do you have? You want to get one that has about the same voltage as the pump you're buying and has at least the current rating of the pump, preferably higher. (So if I found a 9v 500mA pump I would buy a 9v AC adapter with like 600 mA output). Here's a cheap pump shipped from US. Amazon also has some I believe. http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-DC-CPU-Cooling-CAR-Brushless-Water-Oil-Pump-Waterproof-Submersible-TP-/182047711470?hash=item2a62e3a0ee:g:alMAAOSwZ8ZW3sSo 2) Buy an AC relay. You'll still usually need a 12v AC adapter to power the relay. You wire it up with your AC pump similar to this guy: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/278297-diy-ato-with-12vdc-relay/ Note that using an AC pump though you'll have AC power flowing to your project box, so generally it should be rated for such. Definitely don't put the electronics in a tupperware. Each option is pretty cheap... an AC relay should cost less than $5 online and a DC pump you can find for $5 up (if you have a computer store nearby they may have a DC pump for water cooling systems). Do yourself a favor and get some spade connectors also. finally - I'm not an electrician but hopefully you didn't fry anything. I would see if you can test the ac adapter just in-case you need to order another one. Good luck. Link to comment
pewpewkittah Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 Yep this... Two options to fix: 1) Buy a DC pump. I used a DC pump because they're usually slower than AC (aqualifter being an obvious exception). What size power supply do you have? You want to get one that has about the same voltage as the pump you're buying and has at least the current rating of the pump, preferably higher. (So if I found a 9v 500mA pump I would buy a 9v AC adapter with like 600 mA output). Here's a cheap pump shipped from US. Amazon also has some I believe. http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-DC-CPU-Cooling-CAR-Brushless-Water-Oil-Pump-Waterproof-Submersible-TP-/182047711470?hash=item2a62e3a0ee:g:alMAAOSwZ8ZW3sSo 2) Buy an AC relay. You'll still usually need a 12v AC adapter to power the relay. You wire it up with your AC pump similar to this guy: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/278297-diy-ato-with-12vdc-relay/ Note that using an AC pump though you'll have AC power flowing to your project box, so generally it should be rated for such. Definitely don't put the electronics in a tupperware. Each option is pretty cheap... an AC relay should cost less than $5 online and a DC pump you can find for $5 up (if you have a computer store nearby they may have a DC pump for water cooling systems). Do yourself a favor and get some spade connectors also. finally - I'm not an electrician but hopefully you didn't fry anything. I would see if you can test the ac adapter just in-case you need to order another one. Good luck. Aj, you are awesome. I can't count how many times you've helped with my build. Thanks so much for the detailed write up. I really appreciate it. I already have a 12V power supply, so I think that I might just go with changing out the pumps. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.