the float switch having no kind of guard on it
I've seen folks elsewhere encase their's in a little upturned tupperware type plastic container from Asda.
Would that work.
Regards
BigC
Yeah thats what I'm going to do. For the amount of money it costs though you would think they would have thought of that.
Anyway as a mini review for the Aquamedic SP3000
What you get:
1 dosing pump (with float switch hardwired in)
1 float switch
2 "rubber" tubes (which go in the pump)
Tube grease
a load of "airline" tubing
A bracket for the float valve with for suction cup feet (I wish manufacturers would get the idea that magnets are SO much better, especially for something as important as a float switch).
A Bracket for mounting the dosing pump in a cabinet.
X2 one way valves for the "airline" tubing
Some "pressurised" thingy that sits on the input line in your RO container
A completely pointless attachment to go on the end of your RO output (supposed to stop it back syphoning but you have a 1 one check valve to stop that).
What you dont get (and will probably want to DIY in later)
Extra float switches,
Guards for the float switch,
a decent bracket for the float switch
A container for your RO water
Setting it up:
Really very easy. First thing to do is to test the on/off point of the float valve, this isnt mentioned in the instructions but the switch doesnt kick on as soon as the float switch drops from the top. On mine the float switch is about 4 or 5 cm long and the pump doesnt switch on until the float is about 1cm off the bottom of the switch.
To check where the on/off point is plug the pump in and move the switch up and down to see where it kicks in. This is the point you will want level with your water line.
Then before you start doing anything else make sure your tank is properly topped up to its max level.
Next thing to do is to install the "tube" into the dosing pump. First you need to make sure it is well greased up. Then clip one side in and push the tube into the U bend. You will need to turn the "arm" round as you do so to make it fit. Once the other side is in place replace the cover on the pump.
Now you need to attach some airline to the pressurised "bell" that goes in your RO container and the other end to the input of the dosing pump. It is important that you have one of the 1 way check valves between the pump and the RO water or it will not work. Put the "bell" into your RO container (I use a 25l container).
Now attached some airline to the out put of the dosing pump. Add the other check valve in here as well and then put it to wherever you want the RO water to be dripped. Its a good idea to have the airline tubing above the water level to stop it from back draining when the pump is off (though the valve should take care of it).
Last thing to do is to position the float switch. The bracket it came with is not very adjustable and I think on a lot of tanks getting it into the right position is going to be difficult. i made a new bracket out of acrylic (5 min job with a dremal) and super glued it under my eggcrate which left it is just the right position to have the on/off point in line with my max water level. You may have to fiddle around here to get it right. Personally I would not trust 4 rubber suction cups to hold it in place and if it slips its not going to work (and worst case situation its going to overflow your tank with RO water). Also I would recommend placing it as far away from the side of the tank as possible so that snails and hermits cant get on it (mine is about 2 inches away from the back of the tank so should be fairly safe from being "walked" on.
Once your all set up plug it in and keep a watch on it to make sure it is working ok.
Mine is working great so far. I normally have to top up between 1/4-1/2 an inch a day (cold flat and warm water, open top tank, lots of evaporation) but today and yesterday it has been perfect (YAY no more trying to lift 25l RO containers to top it up and no sudden changes in SG).
I would say this unit is ok. I wouldnt trust the bracket and I would recommend making a float switch guard but other than that its doing the job. I would personally recommend looking out for a second hand unit though that has multiple float switches for extra security (and will probably be cheaper). However £80 is well worth it to keep the SG stable throughout the day (especially when Im away for work and it may have to go awhile without top ups) and it has taken away the fear of me dropping a heavy RO container on the edge of the tank
Certainly would recommend it to anyone that has to top up more then a little bit each day.
