Q. About wiring an ATO 12V Relay.

[Rosseau]

Hello,

I am hoping to set up my ATO system with components I bought from http://www.aquahub.com .

I ordered a 12V relay like this one ( http://www.aquahub.com/store/12voltspdtrelay.html )



Yet, I do not have the appropriate socket for it. http://www.aquahub.com/store/product37.html

My question is if/how I can wire this up without having the socket.

Based on their instructions http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html it appears as though not all of the outlets of the relay are used in the socket wiring. Though, the socket may connect them....


Any help would be much appreciated.

[Rosseau]

Or, do I really even need the relay? I will be running this with an MJ 400.

I don't want to fry the switches although I see Melev here uses similar ones without a relay swtich ( http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html ).

[bhbell]

You don't need the socket. Get the appropriate crimp on connectors and you're in business. Then use a little piece of double stick tape on the side of the relay to secure it to keep from flopping around. What you have is actually two switches worked by one electromagnet. In your picture the bottom two terminals are for the low volt circuit for float switch - 12v power source - relay - float switch. Then just pick one side or the other for the high volt side.

[killingseed]

yes you need the relay. i got one of the kit from there nice kits. they didnt have the socket thing when i got mine. jsut wire connectors with crimp end.

[Rosseau]

Thanks that helps.

I currently have the extension cord 120V running through the ports labelled 4 and 6 while the loose end of one switch and the 12V DC is going through 7 and 8.

The relay responds to movement of the switch yet the pump, or whatever else I plug into the extension cord will not go....

Any thoughts?

[Rosseau]

The problem seems to be that the relay is not letting the high voltage through to the pump.

[Rosseau]

Updated assesment.

The switch inside of the relay is moving back and forth very rapidly. Even with the float switches removed from the system this persists.

I assume that it is not supposed to be doing this. I'll keep checking out wires.

[Rosseau]

argh... my adapter is putting out AC, not DC. 12V AC at 1A 12W... This is my problem?

[killingseed]

did you follow the instruction on aquahub

http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html

[Donw]

Originally posted by Rosseau
argh... my adapter is putting out AC, not DC. 12V AC at 1A 12W... This is my problem?

Ac adapter will not work with a Dc relay.

Don

[killingseed]

sorry i miss read but ya Donw is right. you need an AC 120v to DC 12v adapter to run the switches.

[Rosseau]

Yeah. I assumed it was DC and now just need to dig through my boxes of wires and find one.

Thanks guys. It should work after this. If not I'll throw a few more posts up on here.

[bhbell]

I just went to the garage workbench and looked at the same type relay as you have. You're in business when you change out the adapter to DC. I recommend that you wrap or insulate 2 to reduce any shock potential as well. Will you be putting the relay in a project box or the like?