Hello - I am setting up a gray water barrel and want the barrel to empty when it gets 2/3 full. So I thought I would set up a float switch 2/3 of the way up the inside, and connected to a 12V Flojet pump (I already had both, I figured I would use them for this project). I would like the water level to trigger the float switch and then drain the barrel; the problem I have is the pump needs to stay on until the barrel is empty (or nearly empty). Without some sort of means to keep the pump operating, it will shut off the second the float switch drops and cuts the circuit, and the barrel will never fully empty.

Does anyone know of a way I can keep the pump working long enough to ensure the barrel drains most of its contents?

What kind of switch are you using? A tethered switch should give you the most adjustability.

I'm looking for a timer that I could wire in and keep the pump operating as long as it took to empty the barrel.



[www.ipernity.com]

ben-marko

Joshua Tree, California
USA



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Do you know approx. how long the pump will need to run, to empty the barrel? There are "delay on break" relays available. Some have fixed delays and others are adjustable.




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It looks like that is what I need. From what I can find on the internet, I would need to set it with an "interval on" setting.

I think I found one:

[www.amazingshop.us]



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I believe what you posted is just a timer. This link is what you would want. This relay device gets 12v all the time and uses 12v from the float switch as a trigger for the timer. When the float switch closes the circuit, the relay closes, providing power for the pump. When the float circuit opens, the timing circuit in the relay starts and keeps the pump running for the chosen duration , then shuts off. When the float again closes the circuit, the sequence repeats.

[www.airotronics.com]

You need a float switch which has an adjustable range, such as a tethered switch, although there is a way to use TWO of your switches and a "holding relay" to operate the pump.



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A timer is NOT the way to go. If you are going to do it that way you need something that measures the "volume" because the pump will NEVER take the same amount of time to empty the bucket. There are many other ways to accomplish it, without having to worry about pumping the pit dry and ruining the pump.