Sump pump on/off question

[Dewayne B.]

So I bought the little giant No. 6 series 1/3 hp pump. It comes with a float switch but I determined the pool level would have to rise and fall about 6 inches to activate the switch. This much travel to activate the switch is way too much. I want to pump water out of my pool when the level rises only 2 or 3 inches and have it shut off accordingly. The whole idea is I want to control my pool level without having to monitor it. I am gone from the house about 15 hours a day.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dewayne,

I don't have an answer yet, but just trying to understand the problem.

I assume you don't have an overflow and just want to pump excess water overboard in case of rain??? Is this what you are trying to do, or have I missed the whole point altogether.

More info may spark some ideas from our other members...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dewayne B.]

I just want to automatically pump off excess water due to rain without having to monitor the pool level and shut on/off the pump manually. The float switch the pump comes with requires about 6 inches of travel to activate the switch on/off. I want to control the pool level within 1-2 or 3 inches max. One alternative I am considering is simply to install a timer. I will set the timer to the desired amount of time when I come home from work in the evening to drain off the excess water.

 

[mknauss]

I would think you would be better off with a sump pump with a vertical float. Harbor freight sells a number of them. Then you can adjust the float and put the pump on a top step to have a tighter range of operation.

Good luck --

 

[Jimrahbe]

d,

What does the float switch look like on your specific pump. I looked on line, but they appear to have a number of different configurations.

Jim R.

 

[Dewayne B.]

Here are a couple pictures of the float switch. Too late to return the pump as I bought it months ago and just stored it until now.

 

[Jimrahbe]

d,

You can try moving the float right up next to the pump. Where the diagram shows 3 and 1/2" .. make it about an inch or less... Can't hurt and it should help.

Jim R.

 

[Dewayne B.]

Vertical float switch is the way to go. Picked one up at Home Depot and made a quick set up with supplies I had laying around. Crude but should work perfectly. Thanks!