Need recommendations on a water level switch in a cistern

[NormL]

One poster suggested blowing a lightweight ball and string down the pipe. Another way I have used is to use a shopvac to suck a plastic shopping bag tied to enough twine to reach the length of the pipe. I tied the twine to the bag using the hand-holds and that way it did not bunch or ball up and stall along the way through. I did this through a 1 1/4" pipe and it worked pretty slick. My run had no bends to negotiate, though, so I can't say for sure that that won't matter. Worth the attempt though!

 

[Willl]

I found it on the web but no obvious place to order it. Where did you get it?

IIRC, I got it locally. Home Depot or Ace hardware I'd bet.

 

[Western]

We had an above ground 1000gal tank, was in place and running when we bought that place. The switch the former occupant used resemble a toilet float shut of ,(float and all), but was connected to the well pump. Worked flawlessly for the 11 years we where there. Wish I had "fiddled" with it some, other than adjusting it for the fill level, then I could give you more input, but it was very reliable and appeared very simple.

 

[biker4jc]

This may be a little over simplifying it, but have you had a look on ebay?

 

[Rock knocker]

.....and has an unused 1" PVC pipe going from the headspace in the cistern to the crawlspace and this is what I would use for running wire to a switch. This run of PVC has two 90 degree elbows and two 45 degree elbows and is probably less than 20 feet. It may be a challenge to run wire thru it......

You may want to give second thought to pulling wire thru pipe fittings versus using conduit and conduit ells. The sharp radius of pipe fittings can result in damaged conductors

 

[MillWeld]

I found a switch made by Dwyer with 30 feet of PVC cable for $25. I plan to lube the cable with wire-pulling grease and have someone push as I pull. Think that'll work?

Series CFS2 | Cable Float Switch | Dwyer Instruments

 

[lilranch2001]

Dwyer makes good equipment
With 1" pipe and if you lube it up well, and push athe same rate you pull, I would think it should be ok. Just make sure the puller is not overly aggressive.
Not the perfect solution, but I think viable.

 

[radioman]

you mean this? LITTLE GIANT Switch, Automatic Float - Float Switches - 3VA90|RVMS-10 - Grainger Industrial Supply

Do you know anyone with a pedestal sump pump that is broken? you can take the float and switch off the top and rig up what you need in the cistern. when you setup the rod trip - you can set it so it trips on when water level is high enough and leave power on and let your pump switch determines if it needs to pump or not, but off when it reach the lowest point you want power off.

 

[Redneck in training]

I found a switch made by Dwyer with 30 feet of PVC cable for $25. I plan to lube the cable with wire-pulling grease and have someone push as I pull. Think that'll work?

Series CFS2 | Cable Float Switch | Dwyer Instruments

There is one more thing to consider. Most float switches close when level is low but you need the opposite function. You need SPST, NC or SPDT. I would recommend to get SPDT Then you can have it either way.

 

[Qapla]

Have you considered using some sort of float mounted inside a piece of PVC pipe. You could extend the PVC inside the tank so that it comes just short of the bottom. The water level will fill the pipe the same as it does the tank.

You could put a fishing float with a weight on beneath it hung from a switch mounted above the ground/tank. When the level gets low enough, the weight would pull on the switch and turn the pump off. When the level is up, the float would support the weight and allow the switch to turn on allowing the pump to run.

Just a thought ...