My inexpensive topoff system.

[icereefer]

Well I wanted to come up with a Auto topoff system that I wouldn't have to use pumps or powerheads to
drive my water. but use as a gravity system,so I didn't have to worry about problem if my power going off and my topoff wouldn't over flow my sump.
So I found this unit. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7732005309&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1)
the only power I have to worry about is the power pack that runs the solenoid. and if for some reason the power goes out it won't open my valve and I won't have to worry about top off over flow.
The only thing I had to come up with was a holding bracket and a way to water proof my switch valve. and to tapa 1/4" compression valve to my top off bucket.
I will should you how I made my bracket I think it came out pretty good myself. and only costed around $65 to make.

well to start off I needed to make a base for my bracket. so I got out my Paint stripping gun and bent me up the starter bracket.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject001.jpg

Then I needed to make a bracket to hold my float switch.but I wanted it to be adjustable so I make slots so I could adjust my float height. as youcan see in this picture.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject013.jpg

[icereefer]

Next I needed to come up with a way to water proof my float switch so when my power goes out it wouldn't short out my switch, which was pretty easy to over come as seen in this picture.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject018.jpg

so then next I needed to make a bracket to hold my solenoid valve.this is it here.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject007.jpg

and in this picture this is the bracket I came up with I used nylon bolts and wing nuts for easy tightening andadjusting my float bracket. as you can see I added wedges to the top bracket for added strength. and to bond my acrylic I used a welding solvent.tahat I will show you a picture of in one of my photos.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject010.jpg

in this photo you will see I added velcro to the inside bracket were it will be resting on my sump lip. so the top won't want to roll into the sump...lol.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject011.jpg

[icereefer]

Okay in this picture this is the welding solvent and bottle applicator I use to bold my acryic together with.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject017.jpg

Next I needed to come up with a bumper so my bracket could rest up againest my tank and my float would stay in one position and not move all over the place... this is what I came up with.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject014.jpg

heres a picture of the bumper installed and a hose mount I made for my outlet tube.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject016.jpg

and this is a picture of my auto topoff system bracket after I got done with it.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject019.jpg

I will keep you posted on it installed in my sump and how I set up my Kalwasser top off bucket to this unit .

[icereefer]

Well here's my topoff installed in my sump. and a picture of my hold tank.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject043.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/Jim-Durso-/TopOffProject044.jpg

I did a couple of tests on it and so far it seems to work like a champ. 8)

[Gryz]

Cool!
Keep us updated!

[icereefer]

will do right now I'm playing with my Kalkwasser mixture.to find what mixture I need to keep my Cal and that at par.