Hi, I want an auto top off kit for my marine tank however cannot afford the ones in the shop so I've set about building my own...
The idea is to have coloured LEDS indicating status, so green for powered, amber for topping up and red for manually switched off or a switch out (is it possible?)
Here is the plan, I'm OK with basic electrical - basically, I'm looking to run a 12vDC around the 2 switches into a relay which will activate a mains powered Eheim 300 Compact Pump, I want to leave it switched on all the time so it gets little and often. I also want a switch to deactivate the level switches for water changes so I've incorporated one it
This is the rough plan, I've ordered all the parts and will do a comprehensive "how to"
Its fairly easy to fit the green and amber leds across the 12vdc psu and relay coil, just buy a 12v leds, if available, or standard leds and resistors.
To make the red led come on, just use a double pole, double throw switch and connect the led to the second pair of contacts.
For well proved,simple top-up devices, and a lot more, have a look at the following sites -
That diagram looks dangerously wrong to me. I assume that the relay is a change over relay and the mains should go to 4 and 5. This isn't however as dangerous as having a level (float) switch connected to the mains
Why don't you use a 12V wall wart and power everything from that? It will be much safer.
That diagram looks dangerously wrong to me. I assume that the relay is a change over relay and the mains should go to 4 and 5. This isn't however as dangerous as having a level (float) switch connected to the mains
Why don't you use a 12V wall wart and power everything from that? It will be much safer.
Mike, thanks for the reply - the numbers on the coils do not correspond to the actual relay itself, I put them on there to ID where the amber LED should go. The problem is I need 240v for the pump that will stir the water and additives.
This is **broken link removed** I'm using I've read some stories of float switches melting
Apart from the coils which are not representative, do you have any additional comments on safety and LED locations? How can I make it safe in the event the relay fails short? As you can see, I'm new to this