9 replies to this topic

[rdk]

I bought this morning a tethered float switch for my pond for a sump pump and was hoping that this was the right switch.. If not I can return it and get something different. It's from Home Depot Please let me know RDK

[DrCase]

How does your new switch work ?
Is it a low water cut off ?

[rdk]

This is a replacement automatic float switch that is seems to need the sump pump. It is a plastic ball on a cord with a plug on the end where I plug in my pump and then this plug unit plugs into the wall for power. I have no clue how to set this upon a pond. RDK Should I get something made for ponds?

[DrCase]

Once you plug the pump in to the switch
hold the ball straight up and the pump should run
then slowly start to lay the ball down until it cuts off the pump
Strap the float switch cord to the pump and adjust it how you want it
When the ball is straight up its on When it lays on it side with a little slack its off

Edited by DrCase, 09 March 2010 - 12:34 PM.

[rdk]

Dr. Case The ball goes in the water.right side up the power is on,the pump is on when it tilts over the ball bearing slides off breaking the power shutting it off. When the pond water goes down what makes the ball tip over? RDK

[DrCase]

With the ball up and the cord straight down its on and wants to float up out of the water to keep it on
but as the water goes down it will lay on its side
just lay the ball on the top of the water to test it. it should go to off

[undrtkr_00]

If you're wanting it to auto-top off your pond, you'll need to install it upside down. The way it is designed to work is to keep water levels below a certain level, but I suspect you're trying to keep water levels up to a certain level. Like Dr. said, the switch will come on when it is straight up and down, and turn off when it is flopped over on it's side. If you want to use it, you'll need to rig up a way to hang it upside down so that when your water level is low, it will dangle straight down, and when the pond fills, it will raise the float up and bend it over, shutting off the pump.

Or maybe I am assuming to much.

[DrCase]

I have been thinking it was a safety switch to keep the pump from pumping the water out of the pond if something came loose and you started to loose water

[undrtkr_00]

DrCase said:

I have been thinking it was a safety switch to keep the pump from pumping the water out of the pond if something came loose and you started to loose water

Hmm - that would be a good one, too. That would still require an upside-down installation, as you are preventing water from getting too low, rather than too high.

[rdk]

Doctor. I see now how it works. The float floats on it's side in the on mode. Now I attach a short string to the base of the float to the top side of the pond. If the water level drops an inch or two the top of the float tips down and shuts off the water pump. RDK