Reef Discussion

[firechild]

I'm about to build myself an ATO and I have 2 options. The first is quite simple and involves using simple panel mount sockets:

The second involves having small PCBs made:

This will have PCB mounted sockets.

However, the PCBs cost about $30 for 10 which adds a significant amount to the entire project (should be around $40-45 excluding the pump otherwise). So, is there any interest from others in this PCB at $3 each?

Basically the way the design works is the 2 sockets at the bottom are for the power in and power out, the design suits any low voltage pump (such as 12 or 24V AC or DC) while the 3 at the top are for float switches.
Position 1 is the primary foat switch, this is set at the desired water level and operates while the water level is below the switch. This means the pump is on when the water level is low and switches off when it reaches the correct level.
Position 2 is a secondary switch which operates in the same way as the primary. The switch is on when the water level is below the switch. This is set above the primary and is used in case of failure of the primary. In normal operation, the secondary will always be on, leaving the switching to the primary.
Position 3 is for a float switch in the reservoir. It works the reverse of the other 2 (i.e. it switch OFF when the water level drops). This switch is positioned at the bottom of the reservoir and is used to switch the pump off if the water level drops too low, preventing the pump from running dry and subsequently burning out.

The float switches are around $10 each and just need to be wired to an appropiate plug.

 

[VaultBoy]

im interested... i broke the float off of my gravity fed system and im sick of manual top ups!

 

[firechild]

I should have also mentioned, the size of the board is designed to slot into a jiffy box from Jaycar that costs $2.95.

 

[daveH]

Sounds really good - where are the float switches from?

 

[firechild]

I'm using 1 of the 1555938 and 2 of the 1775048 float switches from Element14.

 

[chimaera]

The key question is ... are you making the ATOs for the ungifted among us? :p

 

[firechild]

I guess I could do that, provided my one works. ;)

Actually the idea of this design is the various components will simply plug into a small box like you would plug in any low voltage equipment to a power supply.

 

[chimaera]

In that case, put me down for one :D

 

[rockerpeller]

leodb89 was looking for an effective top up solution :D. I'll keep an eye on this one myself.

 

[firechild]

Ok, looks like enough interest for me to go ahead, I should be able to offload any remaining boards at this rate. I'm going to pick up one of the jiffy boxes this weekend and I'll finalise the details of the PCB and send the design off for manufacture. It takes about a month and once I recieve them, I'll put together a pictorial instruction so people can put them together.

 

[daveH]

Sounds great, any thoughts on the pump?

 

[VaultBoy]

cant wait!

 

[firechild]

Any low voltage pump will work. I'm looking at a small Pond One Pondmaster (750L/hr), mainly because it has a really long cable which will suit my setup but really anything that is low voltage will be suitable. Even at that size though, it could drain the reservoir pretty quickly. I'll probably put a timer on mine so that it will only activate for a minute or 2 every hour or so. Another option is to use a 12V peristaltic pump but my only concern there would be longevity, they're usually not rated for a lot of hours.

 

[daveH]

I've got a little eheim laying around I don't use, that should do the trick. Have to start looking for a container to suit.

 

[Joshwaaaa]

I will be keen too, put my name to one

 

[MagicJ]

I've got a little eheim laying around I don't use, that should do the trick. Have to start looking for a container to suit.

Is this a low voltage pump?

 

[firechild]

I've found the DC jacks in a lot of 5 (how convenient) and can order them at the same time as the PCBs (I can even solder them to the PCBs for anyone who would prefer that) so can we please start a list of what people actually want what components.

For example:

1. firechild - 1x PCB with sockets, soldered
2.
3.

 

[daveH]

Is this a low voltage pump?

Nup!
I'll have to find something else.

 

[macca_75]

Not the cheapest option, but you can buy the Tunze pump from their ATO as a spare part. Low voltage, reliable, long cord, readily available, etc. given your controller looks to be so cheap it would still make a really cheap great ATO solution.

 

[Joshwaaaa]

1. firechild - 1x PCB with sockets, soldered
2. Joshwaaaa- 1x PCB with sockets, soldered
3.