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Posted

Long post... Don't read if you're lazy.<_<Or: Easily confused by my posts.:D

 

Okay, now that 98% of TBD members have left this thread, let's get to business:

 

Looking for any advice on how to design a PLC device to control two (float) sensor switches for one AC powered sump pump. Any help is greatly appreciated.  Off the shelf products even better!

 

My sump pit is rather shallow.  So when it rains... The pump will go off every 30 seconds or so. That electronic controller is set at the water inlet level, about 9" up from bottom of sump pit.  That's fine, I have been running that set-up for decades, but it tends to put stress on float switch which leads to premature switch failure.  Even electronic switches & sensors last only about 7 years.  Normal mechanical float switches, about 3 years.  Pump will run about 10 seconds during a cycle to pump the water in the pit away.  Pump won't fail, switch will fail which then could lead to pump failure (if I am not around to catch it).  When rain/storm conditions stop, the pump will cycle only a few times a day... If that (see log).

 

Again, I use an electronic pump controller switch(es). I have one controller to handle the dry periods... To pump all the water away.  I have another controller set for "storm mode."  Both controllers are piggy back type, meaning that pump simply plugs into controller.

 

What is the simpliest way to create a custom PLC, even use off-shelf products to switch between those two pump controllers?

 

When it does NOT rain... The lower controller can control pump... When it starts storming and the water in pit is making the pump turn on every 30 seconds to pump water away for 10 seconds, I want the PLC to switch to the higher sensor/controller.  Then when storm abates, switch back to low controller to pump away water held in drain tile acting as a "reservoir" around the house.

 

I have another AC pump as a back-up pump with separate discharge line in the sump pit, controlled by another electronic controller in case of main pump failure or to assist main pump during deluges.  It's on an inverter to to run on 12volts during storms that lose AC power.  I have a back up genset too.

 

Here is my pump log (on WiFi, smart device) for last month... You can see how many times the main pump cycles during storms when drain tile is running and how many times pump cycles daily under dry conditions.  You can see it poured, but not really that bad on 11/18.

 

What I really want is the pump to NOT cycle on and off so quickly during storms.  Of course, I can manually switch these plugs... But I have to be home.  I am looking to automate the whole damn process.  OR: Should I just continue to keep main pump short cycling during storms.  I have been using this approach for decades, works well, but adds wear and tear to components as I previously stated.

 

Suggestions, advice, mockery for living in such a clay based, high ground water, God awfully flat and foresaken land.  But... I am tsunami, wildfire, & earthquake proof... And flood proof when everything freezes solid outside of the month of August or when deluge doesn't strike. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted

Oh... Here is the (Flotec) pump controller I use. It has sensor probes to detect water (no mechanical float). The other (storm mode) controller would be normally plugged into that green duplex outlet (separate circuit).  Again, I have to be around to pull that plug and insert in into the other controller while also killing power to unused controller (water will be sensed if kept live... Wear and tear on components).

 

I need some sort of PLC to switch between the two controllers and shut power off to not in use controller. Any suggestions?

 

 

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15 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

I’d like to help but I wouldn’t be much help.   Sorry.  

No prob... No worries.  I know there are some tech wiz kids here.  I am mechanically gifted, but this is my first foray into PLC, electronic controls.  At work... We are using tech still from the Cold War... Nothing is solid state... Every thing is mechanical, not electronic.  YET, will be when Army finally decides to drop $$$ into infrastructure.

15 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said:

Ok, ok...you’re trolling us. Nice try EII. 

:D

 

Takes a troll to know a troll... :P

Posted
Just now, SinceThe70s said:

Maybe Santa will leave something under the tree that will help you out.

There is no product on market... Elves have to make it I suppose.

 

I do welcome all the wisecracks, but serious advice will sure help.

Posted
Just now, ExiledInIllinois said:

There is no product on market... Elves have to make it I suppose.

 

I do welcome all the wisecracks, but serious advice will sure help.

 

Maybe the elves will draw up some schematics for you.

Posted

Goddammit, I'm neither lazy nor confused by your posts.
 

I don't care, but you didn't list that as one of the criteria.  So I guess I have to read this ****...

  • Haha (+1) 1
Posted
40 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Use pvc piping is my recommendation.  7/8” to be specific.  And any conduits must be connected to the ground fault.  121 Gigawatts.  Let me know how it turns out.

1.21 gigawatts??!! 1.21 Gigawatts!!???

  • Like (+1) 1
Posted
10 hours ago, DC Tom said:

Goddammit, I'm neither lazy nor confused by your posts.
 

 

 

This leads some to believe that you are fascinated by them..... sexually. ....  now you’re the idiot..... :lol: 

  • Haha (+1) 1
Posted (edited)

How about expanding the hole. Bigger hole , diameter, and deeper.  2 feet of stone on bottom 12 inch pipe with holes (3 ft of pipe) on top of stone. pack 1 ft of stone around pipe.  

Will hold more water pump go on less.    Number 2 stone 

Edited by mead107
Posted
50 minutes ago, Nervous Guy said:

I don't know anything about this but...will any of these do?  Don't worry it's not Peter Pan.  http://cougarcontrols.com/products/sump-pump-control-panels/

Awesome!  Thanks... Looking into that now.  It says: "1 float, 2 float, and 3 float" setups... I wonder if that works with "electronic floats".  I don't utilize a float, but they are high-low electronic probes that senses the height of the water to turn pump on/off.  It says "simple plug-in," that's what I am looking for.

 

Again, thanks NG!

Posted (edited)
42 minutes ago, mead107 said:

How about expanding the hole. Bigger hole , diameter, and deeper.  2 feet of stone on bottom 12 inch pipe with holes (3 ft of pipe) on top of stone. pack 1 ft of stone around pipe.  

Will hold more water pump go on less.    Number 2 stone 

I was actually thinking of adding another pit or making pit deeper & bigger... But major work tearing into basement floor.  With a bigger sump... The water collects there not in drain tile.  Hence, pump won't "short cycle" (run so often for very short spells). Nice thing about not storing in drain tile, you have more reserve capability to collect more water during a power outage before the whole damn thing backs up to top of pit and starts rising to basement floor (ie: flood).

4 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

When I saw "cougar," in the URL, I have to admit ... I was a little hopeful it was something better.

Like a hot momma parked in your basement plugging in and out your pump?

 

Now that is cougar control!!!

Edited by ExiledInIllinois
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