DIY Electric shut-off valve

[toofazt]

I needed a automatic shut-off valve for my RO-DI system and it had to be before the water line got to the RO-DI unit. So I decided to see what I could come up with. I went to Wal-Mart and got a Automatic Float Switch ($11.28) in the boating section. Then I went to Lowe's and got a 1'' Sprinkler Valve ($10.92) and a 24V Transformer ($12.97) in the sprinkler section. I already had the pvc pipe fittings (~$6).


This is how I hooked up the pvc fittings to the Sprinkler Vlave.


Here is how I set it up. If you can't tell how I hooked it up or have a question, just ask


A picture of the holding tank (trash can) with the Float Switch and final water line from the RO-DI unit. To mount the Float Switch I just cut out a peice from a plastic 'shoe box' and bolted it to the trash can with stainless steel hardware. Where it bolted to the trash can I used rubber washers to keep it from leaking.


Full shot of my set up.

[exmt]

Looks great there!

[DiabloCanine]

Does the waste water shut off too?.....DC

[unirdna]

Steve,

Fantastic Post!!!! I'm going to print this off and set up this system on my RO/trashcan system. Thanks for taking the time to share and document. Deserves a sticky .

edit* Is that an "Aquasafe" unit (from eBay)? I have that same unit. Retail is for suckers .

[toofazt]

Originally Posted by DiabloCanine

Does the waste water shut off too?.....DC

When the valve is closed there is no water going to the RO unit, so there is no waste water.

[toofazt]

Originally Posted by unirdna

Steve,

Fantastic Post!!!! I'm going to print this off and set up this system on my RO/trashcan system. Thanks for taking the time to share and document. Deserves a sticky .

That's what I want to hear After forgeting to turn off my RO unit TWO times and getting water all over my garage TWICE I decided I needed to do something, lol.

[DiabloCanine]

Originally Posted by toofazt

When the valve is closed there is no water going to the RO unit, so there is no waste water.

So the valve is between the input water and the RO unit? Don't know how you're moving water but a garden hose setup like this sure is a nice convenience http://www.cichliddomain.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13 ......DC

[Wasserpest]

This is great! Looking for a replacement for my mechanical floatswitch. Off to WM I go!

How precise does this hold the water level? Do you think it would be suitable for a aquarium water change system?

[toofazt]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

This is great! Looking for a replacement for my mechanical floatswitch. Off to WM I go!

How precise does this hold the water level? Do you think it would be suitable for a aquarium water change system?

It will hold the water level the same everytime. You just have to mount the Float Switch in the correct position.

[Naja002]

This is great! Looking for a replacement for my mechanical floatswitch. Off to WM I go!

Yes, it is! I didn't know walmart had anything like that....

Toofazt: I'm just wondering how its working out, and if You can give me the dimensions of it in inches--wondering just how much space it actually takes up inside a tank.....

[66 north]

I'm going to do this if I can find everything, were the PVC fittings easy to come by?

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by Naja002

give me the dimensions of it in inches--wondering just how much space it actually takes up inside a tank.....

It is 4 3/8 in long, and the width of the flap is 2 3/4 in, with the whole body incl knob extending about 4 in.

That's the reason why I want to try to set this up outside of the tank... some light would get blocked by it for sure.

[Wasserpest]

Question... the floatswitch instructions list and repeat several times that the switch is not to be used with AC. Even DC via transformer is not recommended. Isn using 26 or so VAC anyway going to cause issues?

[toofazt]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Question... the floatswitch instructions list and repeat several times that the switch is not to be used with AC. Even DC via transformer is not recommended. Isn using 26 or so VAC anyway going to cause issues?

No, it's won't be a problem because the transformer only puts out 750mA. That's very low, it won't burn up the float switch.

[Wasserpest]

Thanks, that's too exciting. Found someone knowledgeable at HD who pointed me to the clearance table for a 24V transformer - can it get any better?? Got it all installed and wired up, just need to connect it to the XP outflow. Thanks a bunch Toofazt for posting this. The clean "click" is much better than the slowly fading hissing of the mechanical float valve strangling itself.