How can I fit a float switch when the sump

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chuzzlewit

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of the bilge of my Beneteau 35 is smaller than a pint glass with 4 pipes already in it? I've rigged up a float which activates a switch above it but the float keeps sticking. Did I read somewhere that one could get a suitable switch from an old washing machine? If so, what is it called and where can I get one?
Thanks for any help or advice.
 
You will probably be able to find a suitable switch ( with multiple contacts for different levels) in a washing machine. Essential an air pressure switch connected to a low point on the tub with a length of small diameter plastic pipe. You would have to experiment to find the correct contacts to use.

What Sarabande suggests should be the perfect solution.

Which is http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...pump-accessories/39-eco-switch-12-volt-dc.htm If the ON/OFF levels suit.
 
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sarabande said:
Jabsco had a an air pressure sensor at SIBS.
The tube was about 10mm dia and 1500mm long-ish.

I can't see it on their website, so perhaps a phone call ?
Click to expand...

It's called the Eco Switch - see here. Although the pipe itself is slim, there's an air chamber which fits on the bottom of it which is 60mm x 30mm x 100mm high.
 
pvb said:
It's called the Eco Switch - see here. Although the pipe itself is slim, there's an air chamber which fits on the bottom of it which is 60mm x 30mm x 100mm high.
Click to expand...
It would work without the air bell ?? or with something smaller improvised??
 
pvb said:
I'd imagine the size of the air chamber is designed to allow reliable switching by fairly small increases in depth of bilge water.
Click to expand...

But presumably the switch woks entirely on air pressure and that will be dependent only on the depth of immersion of the bottom end, be that a bell or simply the open tube end.
Something more to this bell than is obvious perhaps ?
 
VicS said:
But presumably the switch woks entirely on air pressure and that will be dependent only on the depth of immersion of the bottom end, be that a bell or simply the open tube end.
Something more to this bell than is obvious perhaps ?
Click to expand...

I'd imagine the pipe simply connects the air chamber to a similarly-sized air chamber in the control head, in which there's presumably a diaphragm and some sort of switching device. To activate the switch, a certain volume of air will be needed in order to deflect the diaphragm sufficiently. Removing the bottom air chamber would mean that the bilge water would have to rise substantially in order to displace the same volume of air in the smaller pipe.
 
It works....

At least my Mac26 at Scarboro better be dry when I get back (when the wind drops).

The chamber at the bottom is necessary. My system, using a washer switch, needs not just pressure but a volume of air to operate the diaphragm.

In my case it's a 250ml plastic bottle and, rather than pierce a hole and worry about the seal failing, I inverted the bottle and fed the fine pipe in from the bottom. Does that make sense?

It's working well, long after the 'marine' float switch it is paralleled to expired.

Free too...

Nick
 
pvb said:
I'd imagine the pipe simply connects the air chamber to a similarly-sized air chamber in the control head, in which there's presumably a diaphragm and some sort of switching device. To activate the switch, a certain volume of air will be needed in order to deflect the diaphragm sufficiently. Removing the bottom air chamber would mean that the bilge water would have to rise substantially in order to displace the same volume of air in the smaller pipe.
Click to expand...
I see what you mean. :)
 
I used one of these in my bilge:


Whale Supersub Smart 650 Bilge Pump 12V

A fully automatic bilge pump featuring a low profile design for narrow bilges or small spaces. It has solid state switching - no moving parts - so is unaffected by wave motion and is environmentally friendly - mercury free. It can be mounted vertically or horizontally and features a removeable strainer for easy cleaning and is designed to leave a minimum water level of 10mm in the bilge.
Flow Rate: 37 litres per minute / 600 US gals per hour
Length: 212mm, Width: 75mm, height: 54mm
Hose Size: 19mm
 
Look on EBay for washing machine spares, plenty to choose from.

The volume tube at the bottom need to be about 2.5" diameter and about 1" deep. I bored a piece of brass bar, drilled 1/4" hole in the center soldered a bit of pipe. length of plastic pipe to unit,job nearly done. connect this contraption up at home, fill a bowl to say 6" deep, now you need the length of the slots on the pump. Lower the unit into the water until you hear it click and note the depth, empty bowl, put in water to just above your pump slots, the aim is to adjust with a small screw driver the unit until the switch opens at a point just just above the slots. Then fill to a point (Max) rhat you are happy with and adjust the other screw until the switch closes.

Sounds hard but is easy to do with a bit of patience this is the best setting for the lower level, it stops the pump running dry and cycling.

best system I have ever used, very reliable and easy to clean and check.

best of luck. You wont regret fitting one.



HOOVER,CANDY WASHING MACHINE SENSOR PRESSURE SWITCH


This is the one I bought for£8.99 has two adjustments depth and differential
 
A couple of electrodes with some electronics would do it. I seem to recall a 'readers tip' in PBO giving details of a DIY version. Try checking the PBO index.
 
ghostlymoron said:
A couple of electrodes with some electronics would do it. I seem to recall a 'readers tip' in PBO giving details of a DIY version. Try checking the PBO index.
Click to expand...

And also check the subsequent issues, where they'll give you the correct circuit diagram, warn about the safety issues if you followed the original article's instructions, etc.
 
chuzzlewit said:
of the bilge of my Beneteau 35 is smaller than a pint glass with 4 pipes already in it? I've rigged up a float which activates a switch above it but the float keeps sticking. Did I read somewhere that one could get a suitable switch from an old washing machine? If so, what is it called and where can I get one?
Thanks for any help or advice.
Click to expand...

Saltyjohn does a very nice solid state bilge switch ( no moving parts ) :cool:
 
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