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Looking for a hot-water tank controller William Underhill 06-22-2007
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Posted by William Underhill on June 22, 2007, 12:08 am
I've tried Googling on various search terms and haven't managed to find
anything, so here goes:

Does anyone know if there is available on the market a controller for
hot water tanks, whereby a float switch in a drain pan can shut off a
solenoid-operated valve on the cold water inlet and the 230v supply to
the heater elements? Or do the same in the event of a power failure?
Here's a bad ASCII art attempt at a schematic of what I have in mind:

115 Vac
L1 N
| |
) [bkr in svc pl] |
| |
| N/C FLOAT SW RESET (N/O PB) |
| __|__ |
`-----o--.-o--------+---o o---+----------+---(M)---+----------'
| | M | | |
^ `----| |----' `---(S)---'
: SOLENOID FOR N/C VALVE
230 Vac 2 ph :
L1 L2 : N
| | : |
)--- ) [2-ph bkr in : |
| | in svc pl] M .------. |
| `-------------------| |-----------| HTR | |
| M | TERM |-----------------'
`------------------------| |-----------| BOX |
`------'

The idea is that if the power goes off or the float switch opens, the M
coil d-energizes and the M contacts open. Because there's a sealing
circuit in the 120 supply to the coil, the system won't re-energize
until someone comes and pushes the reset button, thus keeping the system
safe if it should trip while I was away on holidays or what-have-you.
Alternatively, the float switch could be a flow switch in the drain line
from the drain pan.

So, anyone know if a ready-made controller like this is available on the
market?

Yours aye,
W. Underhill


--
"Take sides! Always take sides! You may sometimes be wrong - but the man
who refuses to take sides must *always* be wrong! Heaven save us from
poltroons who fear to make a choice!" R.A. Heinlein, "Double Star"
--
Main homepage: http://members.shaw.ca/fog.locker/
SCA homepage: http://members.shaw.ca/uilliam/
LiveJournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/jackytar/

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Posted by ransley on June 22, 2007, 1:57 am
> I've tried Googling on various search terms and haven't managed to find
> anything, so here goes:
>
> Does anyone know if there is available on the market a controller for
> hot water tanks, whereby a float switch in a drain pan can shut off a
> solenoid-operated valve on the cold water inlet and the 230v supply to
> the heater elements? Or do the same in the event of a power failure?
> Here's a bad ASCII art attempt at a schematic of what I have in mind:
>
> 115 Vac
> L1 N
> | |
> ) [bkr in svc pl] |
> | |
> | N/C FLOAT SW RESET (N/O PB) |
> | __|__ |
> `-----o--.-o--------+---o o---+----------+---(M)---+----------'
> | | M | | |
> ^ `----| |----' `---(S)---'
> : SOLENOID FOR N/C VALVE
> 230 Vac 2 ph :
> L1 L2 : N
> | | : |
> )--- ) [2-ph bkr in : |
> | | in svc pl] M .------. |
> | `-------------------| |-----------| HTR | |
> | M | TERM |-----------------'
> `------------------------| |-----------| BOX |
> `------'
>
> The idea is that if the power goes off or the float switch opens, the M
> coil d-energizes and the M contacts open. Because there's a sealing
> circuit in the 120 supply to the coil, the system won't re-energize
> until someone comes and pushes the reset button, thus keeping the system
> safe if it should trip while I was away on holidays or what-have-you.
> Alternatively, the float switch could be a flow switch in the drain line
> from the drain pan.
>
> So, anyone know if a ready-made controller like this is available on the
> market?
>
> Yours aye,
> W. Underhill
>
> --
> "Take sides! Always take sides! You may sometimes be wrong - but the man
> who refuses to take sides must *always* be wrong! Heaven save us from
> poltroons who fear to make a choice!" R.A. Heinlein, "Double Star"
> --
> Main homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/fog.locker/
> SCA homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/uilliam/
> LiveJournal:http://www.livejournal.com/users/jackytar/

There are systems for you main that are common


Posted by hallerb@aol.com on June 22, 2007, 8:14 am
>
>
>
>
>
> > I've tried Googling on various search terms and haven't managed to find
> > anything, so here goes:
>
> > Does anyone know if there is available on the market a controller for
> > hot water tanks, whereby a float switch in a drain pan can shut off a
> > solenoid-operated valve on the cold water inlet and the 230v supply to
> > the heater elements? Or do the same in the event of a power failure?
> > Here's a bad ASCII art attempt at a schematic of what I have in mind:
>
> > 115 Vac
> > L1 N
> > | |
> > ) [bkr in svc pl] |
> > | |
> > | N/C FLOAT SW RESET (N/O PB) |
> > | __|__ |
> > `-----o--.-o--------+---o o---+----------+---(M)---+----------'
> > | | M | | |
> > ^ `----| |----' `---(S)---'
> > : SOLENOID FOR N/C VALVE
> > 230 Vac 2 ph :
> > L1 L2 : N
> > | | : |
> > )--- ) [2-ph bkr in : |
> > | | in svc pl] M .------. |
> > | `-------------------| |-----------| HTR | |
> > | M | TERM |-----------------'
> > `------------------------| |-----------| BOX |
> > `------'
>
> > The idea is that if the power goes off or the float switch opens, the M
> > coil d-energizes and the M contacts open. Because there's a sealing
> > circuit in the 120 supply to the coil, the system won't re-energize
> > until someone comes and pushes the reset button, thus keeping the system
> > safe if it should trip while I was away on holidays or what-have-you.
> > Alternatively, the float switch could be a flow switch in the drain line
> > from the drain pan.
>
> > So, anyone know if a ready-made controller like this is available on the
> > market?
>
> > Yours aye,
> > W. Underhill
>
> > --
> > "Take sides! Always take sides! You may sometimes be wrong - but the man
> > who refuses to take sides must *always* be wrong! Heaven save us from
> > poltroons who fear to make a choice!" R.A. Heinlein, "Double Star"
> > --
> > Main homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/fog.locker/
> > SCA homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/uilliam/
> > LiveJournal:http://www.livejournal.com/users/jackytar/
>
> There are systems for you main that are common- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

could easil;y be built using a solenoid valve, water sensor, and a
heavy duty power relay.

since the number of failures are low, and a overheated element will
self destruct without damaging anything but itself I havent seen them
sold.

the important thing is good drainage for a leaking tank, and if your
going on vacation turn your tank off.

theres tons of stuff that can break while on vacation and cause havoc.
washers, dishwashers, any plumbing, electrical shorts causing fires
etc.

you cant prevent everything


Posted by Proctologically Violated©® on June 22, 2007, 1:30 pm
Motor starters/relays have built in switches for the non-restart feature.
With a 3 ph relay, you can use the third set of contacts for this
non-restart feature.
Solenoids are available, and a microswitches with long arms are available,
to which a paddle could be attached.
The overall wiring is actually pretty simple.
Omega Engineering (NJ) I think sells flow meters/switches, but perty pricey.

Not a bad idea, really, for all these types of appliances. A solenoid before
any hosing should be operated by the appliance itself, to minimize
while-you-sleep disaster.

A nice main ball valve to shut off ALL the water is proly the best and
simplest hedge against vacation disaster. Ditto gas, some circuit breakers.

Moot for me, since I'm too broke for vacations. :) :(
--
------
Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > I've tried Googling on various search terms and haven't managed to find
>> > anything, so here goes:
>>
>> > Does anyone know if there is available on the market a controller for
>> > hot water tanks, whereby a float switch in a drain pan can shut off a
>> > solenoid-operated valve on the cold water inlet and the 230v supply to
>> > the heater elements? Or do the same in the event of a power failure?
>> > Here's a bad ASCII art attempt at a schematic of what I have in mind:
>>
>> > 115 Vac
>> > L1 N
>> > | |
>> > ) [bkr in svc pl] |
>> > | |
>> > | N/C FLOAT SW RESET (N/O PB) |
>> > | __|__ |
>> > `-----o--.-o--------+---o o---+----------+---(M)---+----------'
>> > | | M | | |
>> > ^ `----| |----' `---(S)---'
>> > : SOLENOID FOR N/C VALVE
>> > 230 Vac 2 ph :
>> > L1 L2 : N
>> > | | : |
>> > )--- ) [2-ph bkr in : |
>> > | | in svc pl] M .------. |
>> > | `-------------------| |-----------| HTR | |
>> > | M | TERM |-----------------'
>> > `------------------------| |-----------| BOX |
>> > `------'
>>
>> > The idea is that if the power goes off or the float switch opens, the M
>> > coil d-energizes and the M contacts open. Because there's a sealing
>> > circuit in the 120 supply to the coil, the system won't re-energize
>> > until someone comes and pushes the reset button, thus keeping the
>> > system
>> > safe if it should trip while I was away on holidays or what-have-you.
>> > Alternatively, the float switch could be a flow switch in the drain
>> > line
>> > from the drain pan.
>>
>> > So, anyone know if a ready-made controller like this is available on
>> > the
>> > market?
>>
>> > Yours aye,
>> > W. Underhill
>>
>> > --
>> > "Take sides! Always take sides! You may sometimes be wrong - but the
>> > man
>> > who refuses to take sides must *always* be wrong! Heaven save us from
>> > poltroons who fear to make a choice!" R.A. Heinlein, "Double Star"
>> > --
>> > Main homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/fog.locker/
>> > SCA homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/uilliam/
>> > LiveJournal:http://www.livejournal.com/users/jackytar/
>>
>> There are systems for you main that are common- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> could easil;y be built using a solenoid valve, water sensor, and a
> heavy duty power relay.
>
> since the number of failures are low, and a overheated element will
> self destruct without damaging anything but itself I havent seen them
> sold.
>
> the important thing is good drainage for a leaking tank, and if your
> going on vacation turn your tank off.
>
> theres tons of stuff that can break while on vacation and cause havoc.
> washers, dishwashers, any plumbing, electrical shorts causing fires
> etc.
>
> you cant prevent everything
>



Posted by Howard on June 22, 2007, 9:05 am
http://www.smarthome.com/7115h2c.html
water heater shutoff valve

> I've tried Googling on various search terms and haven't managed to find
> anything, so here goes:
>
> Does anyone know if there is available on the market a controller for
> hot water tanks, whereby a float switch in a drain pan can shut off a
> solenoid-operated valve on the cold water inlet and the 230v supply to
> the heater elements? Or do the same in the event of a power failure?
> Here's a bad ASCII art attempt at a schematic of what I have in mind:
>
> 115 Vac
> L1 N
> | |
> ) [bkr in svc pl] |
> | |
> | N/C FLOAT SW RESET (N/O PB) |
> | __|__ |
> `-----o--.-o--------+---o o---+----------+---(M)---+----------'
> | | M | | |
> ^ `----| |----' `---(S)---'
> : SOLENOID FOR N/C VALVE
> 230 Vac 2 ph :
> L1 L2 : N
> | | : |
> )--- ) [2-ph bkr in : |
> | | in svc pl] M .------. |
> | `-------------------| |-----------| HTR | |
> | M | TERM |-----------------'
> `------------------------| |-----------| BOX |
> `------'
>
> The idea is that if the power goes off or the float switch opens, the M
> coil d-energizes and the M contacts open. Because there's a sealing
> circuit in the 120 supply to the coil, the system won't re-energize
> until someone comes and pushes the reset button, thus keeping the system
> safe if it should trip while I was away on holidays or what-have-you.
> Alternatively, the float switch could be a flow switch in the drain line
> from the drain pan.
>
> So, anyone know if a ready-made controller like this is available on the
> market?
>
> Yours aye,
> W. Underhill
>
> --
> "Take sides! Always take sides! You may sometimes be wrong - but the man
> who refuses to take sides must *always* be wrong! Heaven save us from
> poltroons who fear to make a choice!" R.A. Heinlein, "Double Star"
> --
> Main homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/fog.locker/
> SCA homepage:http://members.shaw.ca/uilliam/
> LiveJournal:http://www.livejournal.com/users/jackytar/






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