Electronic dudes-is this pump-relay-float hookup ok?

[trs71]

Hi basically I want to flood and drain a big container-

I want to use only 2 electrical plugs to the wall 1 for 12+ relay and socket one to drive 2 low amp pumps
1 relay
2 water pumps
two floats one for max and min water levels.

The relay has both N.C. & N.O. contacts and the floats can set to full/empty too

I'm thinking this through more as I type and thinks it's fine.

I guess I just want to add a tap basically to the plug if that makes sense.

If this is all babble, in 4 or 5 hours I can do a diagram on paint maybe but I ain't no Shakespeare.

 

[trs71]

Now I'm remembering a problem-

It's going to be on a timer 4 times a day. How do I empty it completely and then stop, not turning on the fill pump again?

I also have an 8 program, dual control outlets on the timer

 

[trs71]

Don't laugh

https://imgur.com/hMw9OrJ

 

[jlv03]

What is your sequence of operations? When do you want to fill? When do you want to empty?

 

[trs71]

What is your sequence of operations? When do you want to fill? When do you want to empty?

hi-

probably at least 6 times a day, but most often 4 times, Am8-pm 1, 6, & 11.

I'd kind of like to be able to do it every hour some times but not needed
I can buy or dig up more wire,parts,timers etc.

I'd rather not have to use a bunch of timers and wires, that's why I wanted to do it this way, 2 less outlets- It's a spiders web of wires in there now

 

[Terry D]

You need to be more detailed about what you want it to do. What is this for. I take that you are using 12v to control 120v pumps? So you want it to fill up and empty 4 times a day. What is the water being used for. We need pictures of what you have.

 

[trs71]

It is a flood and drain table. Guesss I didnt say that.
if I could show you a picture of the wiring it would be done?
Yes 2 120v small pumps,

https://www.harborfreight.com/158-gph-submersible-fountain-pump-63315.html

RELAY https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L1L3RJT/?tag=atomicindus08-20


floats https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZG4Y34/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'd power the 2 pumps which would only activate when the floats are up or down, but I have to shut off the feed pump before the return so it'll drain.

.....
.......
Now that I "said" it, I could ALWAYS leave the return pump on if it was lower GPH than the feed pump, since when the float bottoms out it would go off anyway.
And feed pump would shut off when the top float hits or the timer goes off.

LOL When did gardening get so hi-tec

 

[Terry D]

So im taking this is hydroponics. Im not even going to ask what you are growing. Once it fills up, how long before it drains. Why are you using 12v for the control voltage. Where are you getting the 12vdc from. Is the holding tank under the flood table

 

[Innovate1]

It's still not completely clear but I am guessing this is something like you want...

Trigger this 4 - 6 times per day at selected times:
Energize flood pump until full switch is tripped
When full switch is tripped start drain pump
Run drain pump until low switch is tripped
Wait until next cycle

That could be done with relays with multiple contacts which is what you have listed. One set of contacts powers the pump. The other set supplies power to the relay coil to keep it energized until the other switch is triggered.

You would need some sort of timer to trigger the start of cycles. You might find a light timer that can do that many cycles per day.

Or you could go with 24VAC coil relays and use a sprinkler timer. Might have to use multiple zones to get 6 cycles per day but a lower end 4 or 6 zone unit should work.

Or you could program a PLC or a microcontroller like an Arduino but sounds like you want something simple.

I have no idea what this means: "I guess I just want to add a tap basically to the plug "

Details on "8 program, dual control outlets on the timer"?

No problem with you asking about this here but there are likely other forums on hydroponics or irrigation that may be more aligned with what you are doing that could give better advice and feedback.

 

[trs71]

So im taking this is hydroponics. Im not even going to ask what you are growing. Once it fills up, how long before it drains. Why are you using 12v for the control voltage. Where are you getting the 12vdc from. Is the holding tank under the flood table

I'm start tomatoes and peppers so they are few feet high already, so I can move them outside around May- Started outside waaay too late 1st time hydro

No it is not under the table-that would be too easy That's what the 2 pumps are for.

The 12+V is just to power the relay. I've got to get this going this weekend. It's in an older wired house, so I'm trying to cut as much $$ from the bill, don't want to overload circuit-less clutter.

 

[Terry D]

I'm start tomatoes and peppers so they are few feet high already, so I can move them outside around May- Started outside waaay too late 1st time hydro

No it is not under the table-that would be too easy That's what the 2 pumps are for.

The 12+V is just to power the relay. I've got to get this going this weekend. It's in an older wired house, so I'm trying to cut as much $$ from the bill, don't want to overload circuit-less clutter.

How long once it fills up untill it empties

Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[trs71]

How long once it fills up untill it empties

Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

it can vary-when I had the table drain to a bin below, depending on how many potted plants are in there , usually under 5 minutes0 But I wanted to cycle it a bit, 5-15 nin total per flood-

And so as Im done with other project, hopefully tonight- I'm a wiring it up, at least-figure out as I go.