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Review on Reliable Water Tank Float Switch with 10ft. Cable & 5-Year Warranty for Sump Pumps by Marco Gavi

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Good solution for a high current float switch

I had a simple requirement. To fill a 150 gallon keg with water when lowered requires switching the 110v pump itself and a few amps. I didn't want to create an electrocution hazard, nor did I want to make large holes or make some sort of frame for a conventional float switch. And finally, I didn't want to make a big project out of it. After some research I found that no one makes a float switch that can switch more than a few milliamps without damaging the switch, forcing me to use a relay which means I now also need a low voltage supply for the relay coil need . Contact with water is also unavoidable. They also won't work unless a hole is drilled in the side of the tank or some sort of frame made to hold the unit above the waterline. This float switch was the perfect solution. It has a very unique design based on a large ball bearing that spins back and forth against a rather massive microswitch (you can hear it turning on and off inside). The angle of the float causes it to roll back and forth. with an adjustable weight attached to the cable as a fulcrum. I simply pulled the cable through the top of the barrel and moved the weight up/down until I got the angle I wanted at full/low. And connected the switch to the pump (hot side) and worked like a charm. I was afraid it might come as a shock. But thermally closed it looks very good. (yellow border around it) and is made of very durable plastic. So I'm not worried. So the trick is to find the right distance from the weight to the float as this controls the fill/low sensitivity. And the distance from the load to the top of the tank determines the fill level. Otherwise it's perfect. The switch can be either normally closed or open so you can use it to drain or fill. It took me 5 minutes to install it. But about an hour of gameplay with weight adjustment to fill it to the brim. Since I have to fill and empty to try it. Keep in mind that this isn't a solution if you expect your tank to be constantly topped up. The float must be a few inches above and below the weight before the switch will operate.

Pros
  • 3 meter (10 ft) cable with adjustable counterweight
Cons
  • The list will be long.