jacdx Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Hey,I need to hook a large water feature into C4. The goal is to be able to schedule when each pump runs and to be able to do that without having to go out to the subpanel.Right now, there are two pumps, switched by circuit breakers, 1 pair of 20amp breakers for each pump. The first pair of breakers switches pump 1 directly. The 2nd feeds into a 3-phase inverter that runs the 2nd pump. The subpanel is 150-200 ft away from the house.This looks like a potential solution: http://www.cardaccess-inc.com/automation/products/index.php?a=details&i=8But it's specs don't go up to 40amps (2x20amp breakers), which I assume I need.Thoughts / hints? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 use a card access relay to control........a 12v contactor..........rated for 2pole 40 amp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Yeah, that's what I would do. Get a heavy duty relay that is power rated, that is activated with a 12V trigger. Then use a standard card access relay to open/close the other relay...should be pretty straight forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixelPerfect Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 You may not need the full 40 amps. Your pumps should have id plates on them, these will tell you what they need. If no tags, then just use an amp meter with a max hold. Then just simply start the pump and see what the max draw is after an hour or so of run time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacdx Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Yeah, that's what I would do. Get a heavy duty relay that is power rated, that is activated with a 12V trigger. Then use a standard card access relay to open/close the other relay...should be pretty straight forward.Is this something any electrician should understand, heavy duty relays/contactors? Commercial electrician maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henniae Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Is this something any electrician should understand, heavy duty relays/contactors? Commercial electrician maybe?Any electrician worth his salt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Yeah, like Henniae said, I think any worthwhile electrician would understand. Definitely a control systems guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacdx Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Ok PART 2 of this question: I've got a sprinkler valve on a timer (all by itself) that serves to fill the water feature tank. This is a terrible solution, since you can never time it right...always underfilling or overfilling. Any pointers on some time of level monitor that could be wired up to the valve? I'm assuming there would be something I could stick inside the tank near the top. Hopefully I can get rid of the timer. Bonus points if it hooks into C4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagoskiguy Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 They make pond float valves. It's similar to the valve in a toilet - fills to a certain point then shuts offBelow is one type/example:http://www.thewatergardener.com/products/laguna-float-valve-auto-fill-kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 ^+1 for that solution. They work great. In my last home I did the water feature myself and actually DID use one from a toilet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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