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Fluidcontrol

  • Thread starter Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
  • Start date
T

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi everyone,
my fluidcontrol-Automat (as the Germans say) went toast. I bought a much
better one, from a reputable company (Wilo-Germany), at least in the EU. The
old one cost 40 euros, definitely some cheap Chinese knock-off, while the
new one 80 euros, from the Iraklion-plumbers' special shop, and with invoice
discount. The purpose of this machine is originally for a constant pressure
pump system, but in Iraklion we use it as an Automat to start the pump
automatically when the water comes from the city, and stop it when the tank
is full (almost everybody got plastic tanks by now). I have uploaded 4
photos, of the PCB and of the device itself, at
www.esnips.com/web/dimtzortsPhotos .
Now, I'm just curious how does the thingy work? It has a chip, probably a
proprietary one, and a relay to control the pump. I'm not trying to repair
it, it's already in the trash:) (I am not that good in electronics, anyway.
 
R

Rheilly Phoull

Jan 1, 1970
0
Just Google "Level Control circuit", there must be thousands of such
designs.
Also why not just use a level switch ??
 
T

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ï "Rheilly Phoull said:
Just Google "Level Control circuit", there must be thousands of such
designs.
Also why not just use a level switch ??
I used one in a previous design, there was an electrode that sensed when
water came from the city, AND when the tank was empty (AND logic) <sensed by
a level switch>, the pump was turned on. The problem was that the electrode
had too much sensitivity, and when the water was just about to come (5-10
mins before the right time) the pump was "screaming" (running without
water). So, I installed an electromagnetic ventil, when in winter water had
enough pressure to go on its own into the tank, and stop water electrically
when the tank was full, also a switch, to turn the pump on manually, when
there was enough pressure for the pump to really work. The problem was, the
electromagnetic ventil would clog up from impurities in the water, needed
cleaning all the time and would not close when power was off, and the tank
overfilled. All these problems would be solved with the fluid control
device, where overfill is being protected by a simple level valve, with a
floater. Pump will be started when there's enough pressure, not by an
electrode but by a valve, and will shut off when the level valve closes,
when tank is full OR when water stops. (It's not just level control, it's
fluid control;although that could also lead in a search at the older
design).
 
T

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ï "Rheilly Phoull said:
Just Google "Level Control circuit", there must be thousands of such
designs.
Also why not just use a level switch ??
I googled level control circuit, and that's not what I needed, usually
that's with 3 electrodes, what I needed was something to sense water flow,
also when water comes from the city, to start a pump (small, single phase,
1/2 HP, 230 Volt, 50 Hz, 2850 rpm, induction motor) and stop when the tank
is full. A search on the wilo website was fruitless, even in german
(www.wilo.com , www.wilo.de ) Product is fluid control wilo FC-2 2.2 bar,
according to the invoice.
 
R

Rheilly Phoull

Jan 1, 1970
0
Tzortzakakis Dimitrios said:
I googled level control circuit, and that's not what I needed, usually
that's with 3 electrodes, what I needed was something to sense water flow,
also when water comes from the city, to start a pump (small, single phase,
1/2 HP, 230 Volt, 50 Hz, 2850 rpm, induction motor) and stop when the tank
is full. A search on the wilo website was fruitless, even in german
(www.wilo.com , www.wilo.de ) Product is fluid control wilo FC-2 2.2 bar,
according to the invoice.



--
Tzortzakakis Dimitris
major in electrical engineering
mechanized infantry reservist
hordad AT otenet DOT gr
OK, sorry I am not used to being without a water supply !!
I did not take into consideration the lack of mains.
So I guess a pressure switch that controls the operation of the floater
level switch would be effective ??
Although it would seem a flow switch (expensive and unreliable ??) may be
necessary as you say.
 
T

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ï "Rheilly Phoull said:
OK, sorry I am not used to being without a water supply !!
I did not take into consideration the lack of mains.
Exactly, we are without mains for 2 days. Water comes every other day.
So I guess a pressure switch that controls the operation of the floater
level switch would be effective ?? Exactly.
Although it would seem a flow switch (expensive and unreliable ??) may be
necessary as you say.
This device integrates both of them. When there's enough pressure from
mains, pump is turned on. (Don't forget that everybody in the neighborhood
plugs their pumps in, too!). The flow switch, with the electrode, would
energize when just the "bubbles" came from the mains, 10-20 mins before
there was really pressure.
 
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