Integrating Tunze ATO high level float switch with APEX

[GregOyeah]

Hey all, has anyone tried wiring the high level float switch with their Tunze Osmolator into an Apex breakout box?

I just got done adding a sump low level float switch into the sump of my tank and Im planning on adding a high level switch as well, but its annoying to me to add another float switch right next to another perfectly good float switch thats serving the exact same purpose.

I already have access to the float switch wiring (I made extension cords for the optical sensor and the float bc I have all my control/power equipment set up in another room) so it would be easy to just tap into the float wiring and have the breakout box monitor it. The only thing thats giving me pause, is if this float switch is carrying voltage to an internal relay inside the tunze controller, while it wouldnt be any more than 12 or 24v, Ive read having any kind of voltage on your breakout box is a no-no

The float switch wiring 'opens' when the float is engaged in a high water scenario which means its very possible when float is engaged its breaking voltage to a relay which kills any kind of power to the top off pump.

........sooooo (sorry for writing a book here) before I set aside some time to break out a multimeter to verify all this, has anyone else tried/done this? Thoughts?

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Im no help with this stuff sorry. Maybe someone else on #reefsquad can help.

 

[rkpetersen]

I don't have any experience with the Tunze ATO but you are correct that you should have no voltage going into the Apex breakout box. It must be a simple non-powered circuit that is either open or closed.
At the least, the Tunzo controller should be applying it's own small voltage to monitor and detect the switch's state, similar to what the Apex would do.
I wouldn't have one switch monitored by two different controllers.

 

[pelphrey]

Can you swap out the tunze float with your spare float and wire that to the breakout box? Will it fit on the Tunze mount?

 

[GregOyeah]

Can you swap out the tunze float with your spare float and wire that to the breakout box? Will it fit on the Tunze mount?

hmmm

this just gave me an idea, i dont know why I just didnt do this to begin with. ill just completely disconnect the tunze float switch from the controller and splice the wires to keep the circuit closed so the tunze will operate properly. Then Ill just connect the tunze float switch to the breakout box and have that float switch disconnect power to the tunze controller in the event that its triggered.

this way the float is serving the exact same purpose but instead of an annoying piezo being sounded, i'll get an alarm notification from apex on my phone