Float switch

[Julian]

Keith, any additional photos and details of the float switch on your WVO Dewatering unit?

There's a page waiting to be written on Float switches ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Processor_float_switch&action=edit&redlink=1

[K.H]

Will do,but it will have to wait until i finish the other page

[K.H]

OK ive started the page,as per usual i forgot about this post and didnt use the above heading, could someone check out my wiring diagram,the first basic one.it could do with looking more like Tonys on the pressure switch page,then i will tidy the page up
Ive also added HC11 and Hiflys diagrams which show float switches in more complicated situations
And if or how does a PID affect the wiring?

[Julian]

We can rename the page quite easily.  However, it only links to two other pages at the moment, the KH, and the GL processors so an easy job to change the links.  As it may be of use in WVO filtering it may be best to rename the links to suit your page ... what do you think?

To my simplistic brain your wiring diagram looks fine.  To keep more in line with Tony's you could show an indicator lamp to the right of the switch between 12 and 0V.

The float switch could link in with the PID, but IMHO what you have shown is probably better.  It could link in with the Hi temp alarm contacts on the PID or an additional Hi temp switch on the processor, there's so many possibilities!

Although there will be numerous possible variations, I think we'd benefit from a page on processor wiring as a whole, written in "Noddy speak" so all can understand.  That could then link to pages on the various components such as float switches, pressure witches,  PIDs, SSRs and thermocouples etc.  I'd be happy to give it a go, but only if someone qualified was prepared to check what I wrote and drew.

[K.H]

Looks like I may have to drop Vinces diagram

[K.H]

We can rename the page quite easily.  However, it only links to two other pages at the moment, the KH, and the GL processors so an easy job to change the links.  As it may be of use in WVO filtering it may be best to rename the links to suit your page ... what do you think?

I will go with whatever you think best on that one

To my simplistic brain your wiring diagram looks fine.  To keep more in line with Tony's you could show an indicator lamp to the right of the switch between 12 and 0V.

OK i will try and stick a lamp in the diagram

The float switch could link in with the PID, but IMHO what you have shown is probably better.  It could link in with the Hi temp alarm contacts on the PID or an additional Hi temp switch on the processor, there's so many possibilities!

Sivy was asking about that one,not having a PID i was,nt sure

Although there will be numerous possible variations, I think we'd benefit from a page on processor wiring as a whole, written in "Noddy speak" so all can understand.  That could then link to pages on the various components such as float switches, pressure witches,  PIDs, SSRs and thermocouples etc.  I'd be happy to give it a go, but only if someone qualified was prepared to check what I wrote and drew.

Thats a really good idea,would be useful

Is it ok to link HC,s diagram to his VOD page? and this might be useful for the pro wiring page

http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/viewthread.php?tid=10515

[Julian]

Looks like I may have to drop Vinces diagram

I have a little controls experience in the marine industry and I have to admit, although I'm sure it's a top notch design, I found parts hard ... Oh, you took it down already, I was going back to have a look at it!  From memory I could make out latching relays but there were still bits that were beyond me!  Like I said, top notch design ... using latching relays gives a no volt release i.e. it fails safe.  If the power fails things switch themselves off automatically so that everything is in a safe state when the power returns.

Arrangements like that are probably a great thing to include but I feel they need explaining in Noddy language so people know what they are doing and why it's suggested they wire things that way.

[Julian]

We can rename the page quite easily.  However, it only links to two other pages at the moment, the KH, and the GL processors so an easy job to change the links.  As it may be of use in WVO filtering it may be best to rename the links to suit your page ... what do you think?

I will go with whatever you think best on that one

To my simplistic brain your wiring diagram looks fine.  To keep more in line with Tony's you could show an indicator lamp to the right of the switch between 12 and 0V.

OK i will try and stick a lamp in the diagram

The float switch could link in with the PID, but IMHO what you have shown is probably better.  It could link in with the Hi temp alarm contacts on the PID or an additional Hi temp switch on the processor, there's so many possibilities!

Sivy was asking about that one,not having a PID i was,nt sure

Although there will be numerous possible variations, I think we'd benefit from a page on processor wiring as a whole, written in "Noddy speak" so all can understand.  That could then link to pages on the various components such as float switches, pressure witches,  PIDs, SSRs and thermocouples etc.  I'd be happy to give it a go, but only if someone qualified was prepared to check what I wrote and drew.

Thats a really good idea,would be useful

Is it ok to link HC,s diagram to his VOD page? and this might be useful for the pro wiring page

http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/viewthread.php?tid=10515

Not my decision alone, it's a collective thing but I'd say yes certainly.  Only links we want to avoid are to commercial sites unless it's germane to what's being written.

In time we really do need a processor wiring page though, it seems to be one of the least understood areas of processor building.

That said I've just looked at Alistair's diagram and that's showing a pressure switch (i.e. washing machine switch) instead of a float switch ... could be confusing to people new to Biodiesel and controls etc.

[K.H]

Looks like I may have to drop Vinces diagram

I have a little controls experience in the marine industry and I have to admit, although I'm sure it's a top notch design, I found parts hard ... Oh, you took it down already, I was going back to have a look at it!  From memory I could make out latching relays but there were still bits that were beyond me!  Like I said, top notch design ... using latching relays gives a no volt release i.e. it fails safe.  If the power fails things switch themselves off automatically so that everything is in a safe state when the power returns.

Arrangements like that are probably a great thing to include but I feel they need explaining in Noddy language so people know what they are doing and why it's suggested they wire things that way.

I was just going on the discussion between Alistar and Vince on the VOD

[Julian]

Had any thoughts on the page name Keith?

We can knock another item off the wanted pages list if we can sort it.

[K.H]

To be honest id forgot,i agree "processor" leans towards bio too much, "float level" seems to get more hits so what about "float level switch"?
Dont forget to rename the "multi tosser"

[K.H]

Talking of the "wanted page" what about a page on how to test the strength of methanol?,the subject came up on the VOD site
 And no that was not me volunteering

[Julian]

To be honest id forgot,i agree "processor" leans towards bio too much, "float level" seems to get more hits so what about "float level switch"?
Dont forget to rename the "multi tosser"

From my little controls experience it would be more usual to refer to it as a float switch or a level switch, but I see where you're coming from as we already have a "Processor level switch" ... may I suggest "Processor/tank float switch", sort of covers all aspects?

Yup, can rename the "multi tosser", but you know what I'll rename it, given the opportunity, so what would you like it called?

[Julian]

Talking of the "wanted page" what about a page on how to test the strength of methanol?,the subject came up on the VOD site
 And no that was not me volunteering

Been thinking of that.  I've just repaired my hydrometer floaty tube thingy so could take some photos of a hydrometer in action, but  mine only covers the very top end of the purity scale.  I think Chug has a Trellis hydrometer, so he may be able to contribute photos.  The page could contain a correction chart for temperature variations.

That probably was me volunteering!

[K.H]

Fine with "processor/tank float switch"
I thought "multi tossing (tasking) processor"was the final decision? well it is now as i cant go through that again,quick before RM comes up with something else
And dont go getting any ideas about playing about with the typed word coming up as something else,i would hate to type tasking in and see the word tosser or kh come up,never ever give Rotary that kind of power on here!