CHEAP Rain Barrel Float Switch | DIY Water Pump Protection
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- Опубликовано: 23 фев 2021
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In this video, Robert explains his process for creating an automatic way for turning off his rain barrel water pump when the water in the rain barrel reaches a specific low point.
He also demonstrates how he wired up the float switch and protected the cables using a junction box and conduit.
Overall, Robert's goal was to keep the overall cost low by adding a way to automatically turn off the water pump if there was not enough water in the rain barrel to help protect the pump.
Check Out Robert's Other Rain Barrel Videos:
DIY Automatic Watering System | WITH Mobile App: • DIY Automatic Watering...
Solar Water Pump | CHEAP Rain Barrel Solar Pump Setup: • Solar Water Pump | CHE...
Rain Barrel System | CHEAP Water Pump Setup: • Rain Barrel System | C...
Below you can find the majority of the parts Robert used in the video.
Parts / Items Used In Video:
►Float Switch: amzn.to/37JHp51
►Cable Glands: amzn.to/3dIPBX1
►Step Drill Bit: amzn.to/3bzjMND
►Drill Bit Set: amzn.to/2ZKAX9k
►4"x4"x2" Junction Box: amzn.to/3bGnu8q
►Non-Metallic Liquid-Tight Conduit Kit (90 Degree Connectors Included): amzn.to/3uwgp2w
►PVC Cutter: amzn.to/2P3fw1b
►1/2in Conduit Clamps: amzn.to/2PaAN9p
►Wire Stripping Tool: amzn.to/3kjQZRa
►Barrier Strip: amzn.to/3pUIhtD
►Electric Tape: amzn.to/3bCGdl0
Optional Parts
►Straight Liquid Tight Connector: amzn.to/3kjPDpy
►90 Degree Liquid Tight Connector: amzn.to/2ZLIFjH
►No-Dig Landscape Edging: amzn.to/3aQvYdK
#GreenTechTown 
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The level of care and attention to detail in these videos is impressive, a true pleasure to watch.
What makes a difference for me in watching your video projects is the fact you don't stick your face all over the majority of the video and talk about it. I prefer seeing what is being done, than the individual who is doing it. Great job. (From Canada).
I have been looking for a rain barrel system and found your videos. Your videos are so clear, concise, and you narrate what and why you’re doing so it makes sense. I really appreciate everything you’ve done on this series.
Hey Shawn, always good to hear. Thanks for watching.
I have a large backyard hydroponic system and was trying to figure out a system that uses a solenoid switch to wove water around the system. I have a 250 gallon water tote that I use as a reserve that gets pulled down to a 32 gallon trash bin that then disperses to the rest of the system. This is the perfect system to use for my application.
Im sitting here trying to figure this out in my head and boom there is a video on exactly what im doing lol
haha, this video is a little old now, but I knew one day you would find it :D
I have been watching RUclips tutorials on various topics for awhile now. I have never found an individual (doing a solo project) explaining things so clearly. Impressive. I wouldnt be surprised if your main 9to5 job is that of a Trainor. If you're not, consider becoming one as a side hustle.
Thanks for the feedback TONY santos. Much appreciated! Also, I'll keep that in mind :D
This channel is amazing. Keep being you!
Thanks Jeremy!
I built one similar to yours. I used a demand pump and a toilet flush valve to fill a secondary bucket that feeds a drip line for my garden. The pump cuts off when the bucket is full and on when the bucket is empty. I use a simple timer to cut the pump on and off so it doesn’t run 24/7.
Brilliant videos. Your electrical work is clean, safe, and easy to understand. I always have to laugh a little when a 'simple DIY' video shows us using $10k worth of power and hand tools though! Thanks for posting these.
Thanks! Haha, yeah it was not always that way. One purchased tool just lead to another over time as my knowledge increased :D
@@GreenTechTown Amen. I'm the same way. Can I ask you a question: Do you think a 12V battery's off-gassing of hydrogen in a closed tote is a problem? Without venting I'm concerned that the motor coming on in an enclosed space with even a little hydrogen/oxygen mix is a potential problem. Worth venting the container?
I like how you add a little extra to the projects. Like cutting the wire connectors with your band saw. Or making the area neat around your tank. Or even something inane like attaching the cabling to the wall. (jk about the inane part.) Those extra features add so much more that I would normally not think of and after seeing will certainly use.
Thanks for the feedback and for watching! 😀
These rain barre videos are perfect
Great videos, keep up the good work!!
I have enjoyed all of your videos. Got some good ideas.
Awesome!
Thanks for the simple and well explained video.
That drill bit is amazing
Really well explained, thank you!
Awesome video and so professionally done. Really have enjoyed your informative series.
Great format.
Great video!!
I just fitted a float switch to my koi pond
Gives such peace of mind
This is all so beyond me, fascinating, though. Looks great!
We use the siphon system to connect four rain barrels together.
Another perfect video! I’m loving it all! If I could make a minor suggestion, number your videos. Either in the name, or as a graphic. This would enable people like me to easily pick up from step 1, and follow your videos in the logical process. In a year, the post times will all say “1 yr ago”.
Thanks for the wonderful content!
I just found those videos and I totally agree: That would be useful.
Thank you.
That's exactly what I've needed for my IBC tote rain barrels. Thanks.
Awesome! Always glad to be able to help in a small way.
excellent tutorial thanks for sharing !
Of course! Thanks for watching.
I love how easy you make it seem. I’m planning my system before I get new rain gutters. Outstanding!!!
Awesome to hear, and I'm sure your system will turn out great.
This video and instruction is awesome! Thank you. You definitely have a new subscriber!
Thanks, welcome aboard! And thanks for watching!
Thanks for the time you put in making these videos, they helped me with a lot of my own projects .
Awesome, glad to hear they help!
Nicely done.
Thanks Nkwana!
You have great skills and seem very smart 👍🏿
Thanks Alex!
Seriously - thank you for the detailed instructions. You rock. these videos are going to be very popular very soon. I hope I am wrong, but don't think I am :(
Man you make the cleanest work! Love it! Next step - get more barrels connected to each other?
Looks good. Now I know.
Thanks
Thanks brrradley1! Much appreciated!
Please replace the neoprene hose with black pvc... the darn stuff offgases, and even more so as the temperature rises or it's in direct sun! Great video great work!
Great step by step install. I like how you broke down the different steps and also group of functions. You must be a teacher during the day.
Thanks Lynard :D
You sure are smart 👍🏼
Thanks thadhoward!
Robert... another amazing video that gives a clear explanation of exactly what I am embarking upon. Have you thought about integrating a solenoid to trigger a garden hose refill from the tap once the water level triggers the float switch?
Also, what quick connects are you using for the wires? Can you provide a link?
You’re awesome 👏 thank you for the video. I wish you where my neighbor. lol
Haha, thanks for watching!
I like your water pump system I plan to make a sugarcane garden in my backyard and I'm going to use your water pump system
Awesome Christopher!
I only recently found your channel and your rain barrel build series has inspired me to play around with my own solar setup. Keep up the great work!!!
Very helpful and informative. Could you possibly share step by step how you connected the Float switch to your pump, to have it switch off when dry? Does your pump come with some kind of controller?
For starters, Great Vid. Thanks for the info.
Questions:
1. Total equip cost?
2. Estimated monthly income?
Lastly ALL PRAISE TO THE MOST HIGH YAH!!
You didn’t put the screw driver you were using in the description. Looked like a handy screwdriver to have.
Beautiful setup! My only suggestion would be to incorporate drip loops just before each waterproof piercing to lead any rain water away from the connection joint. Really nice work.
Thanks for the suggestion. Never heard of it but after looking it up that makes a lot of sense.
Drip loops are code-required for electrical penetrations to avoid fires but it makes sense to use them to keep ALL penetrations dry. Water, in the wrong places is an unforgiving relentless enemy!
Your system is exactly what I want to do for mine that I'm building! Thanks for all the step by steps! Your videos definitely are the best! One more thing... Have you thought to add a pressure switch so that the pump turns off when the sprayer nozzle is turned off?
Awesome to hear and glad it was helpful! And yes, I have thought about that, just looking for the simplest way to implement since many of these projects are new for me as well and have always been something I've wanted to try out :D
I have no experience in making a rain barrel. I wanted most of your great videos on this. I need to start from the beginning and learn how to install the rain gutters on the roof and down to the rain barrel. I think the next video would be the drip float, which I watched. Do you have a video for the gutter and to the rain barrel? Thank you for all the time you spend making these wonderful videos.
Hey Cheryl. No, I do not have a video showing how to attach rain gutters, or how I connected the downspout diverter to the rain barrel. The following video probably provides the most detail for the connection of the downspout to the rain barrel: ruclips.net/video/GJ8TUwZWnio/видео.html
I am in the process of expanding the capacity of my rain collection system, and it looks like I will have to re-install my downspout diverter, so this time I will try to make sure I show my process for installing it.
As for rain gutters, you can probably find other videos here on RUclips that shows how to install rain gutters on different structures. I have never done that myself. :D
@@GreenTechTown Thank you.
I am just designing, building my 1st. I am going with a “bilge” float switch, much simpler to connect (2 wires), and simpler operation (sits on bottom, will cut off at 2” height).
Awesome. Just looked that up and that looks like a really good idea! Thanks for sharing.
Am I really the 4th person to view this? How cool
Ok I was trying to figure out a way to dm you. I really think you gotta mass produce your own brand of automatic watering system and sell it on Amazon or your own site. Your so smart and talented, and tbh I really want this for my system but it's waaay beyond my abilities.
Maybe one day! Thanks for the feedback and suggestion! :)
How would I wire the float switch directly to the transfer pump. I don't plan to use the solar install you run. Any help is appreciated
How would I include a soil moisture sensor in this setup, so that it pumps water to the raised bed when the soil is too dry and stops when it's wet enough?
You would need to add some type of microprocessor (i.e. Particle IO, Arduino, Raspberry PI, etc.) that could receive and monitor a signal from the sensor that can detect that the soil is dry and then send a signal to a relay that could turn the pump on. This is just 1 solution that would require some basic programming, but I am sure there are others out there.
Okay maybe I can't see for looking but where can I get the other low water shut down switch you mentioned as my system has multiple barrels and even totes at different levels but the top water level is the same on all unfortunately the totes are about 2 hundred feet from where my house barrels are and I want to detect when the totes are low and a float switch in the barrel will leave me with about 200 gallons left in the totes
You are so good; makes me a little ashamed of my slapdash process. Do you have any feeling about using a 120v power source for this system?
I would have no issues with 120v, it just requires a little more hardware in my case to power it using solar energy. Using DC components made the process a little simpler. However, I have seen a few plug-and-play off-grid commercial products that have made creating a solar setup for AC sources extremely simple but they are still on the expensive side at the moment.
I’ve considered doing a high switch as well to kick on a sprinkler in case the rain barrel is completely full
Why not just put in an overflow tube near the top ? That way even if no power available, barrel will NOT overfill, nor will you drown whatever the system is watering.
@@Seminolerick Agree. Definitely better to have an overflow output at the top. There are plenty of times when you DON'T want to water your garden. With even a single barrel system (or multiples) the "last" barrel in the chain should have an overflow output at the top of it.
I am really enjoying your pump system videos. I have a small garden but I am going to install this for vacations when I am away. Probably will chose 12volt battery control over 120 volts as you did. I havn't done the research of which is better, but if you like 12v over 120, than so don't I. My big question is, what pump did you go with?? Can't find the link for the life of me in any of your videos.
I started with the harbor freight pump and then upgraded to the on-demand pump sold at Northern Tool. I believe I put a link in the other video you left a comment on. Let me know if it does not take you to the correct webpage.
@@GreenTechTown I purchased the same one. Thank you for the help. I think I will also put in a 25 psi regulator so I don't pop out my air irrigation fittings in my 1/2 and 1/4 lines. Great video's man! Like like like!
@@GreenTechTown I have a schematic I would like you to see. How can I send you a picture?
You can send it through our business email located on the About page on the channel.
Could your wire the float switch to a fuse block and use a 13 amp fuse?
Yep, that would probably be a wise idea to protect the wiring for the float switch as well.
first rate
I would have left a loop inside the junction box for cutting off latter
Does the pump shutoff if the timer valve is not running water?
Hey tyhkee1, I'm not sure what you mean by the timer valve in the video, but basically, this float switch is connected in series with the power to the pump, so if the float switch detects the barrel is empty, the pump will not be able to run or be commanded to run by the other components in this system.
I'm having a hard time finding a horizontal float switch that'll work with a 12v system that can handle 5.2 A. Are they supposed to be used with a relay or something? Isn't there one that can just be connected between the battery and the pump?
Hey Korgan. Yeah, I know when I was working on this project, I did not come across any horizontal float switches that could handle a huge amperage (however, I did not spend a lot of time searching, so there could be some options out there I'm unaware of). As you mentioned, some type of relay would need to be installed in between. I do have one video that somewhat explains how a relay can be used here, ruclips.net/video/7N1kpvGKGp0/видео.html, but if you are completely new to the topic, you may want to check out some other RUclips videos for how to properly wire up a 12v relay. It's actually quite simple, and I'm sure you can figure it out. Just make sure you purchase a relay that can handle 6A or more.
@@GreenTechTown Found a video the other day that explained how to hook up a switch to a relay, and they showed connectors that can be used rather than soldering wires to the relay, which is great. I think I'll go with that. Thanks!
Looks like your video uses those connectors too. :)
i think its better that the float switch is on the relay side, not on the motor side
Why not use a on demand pump
Hey Travis. It was not necessary for my application at the time and I was still fairly new to pumps. I do plan to look into one since I need to upgrade my current pump since I am slightly expanding my garden.
Once again no way to know what to call it to order one I need one that goes on when it goes upside down to fill a barrel from pump..
Second one that doesn't name the type of switch , normally on or noallynof means nothing unless compared to position it's in in the same breath.
Lot na ksiezyc, a tu chodzi tylko o wode deszczowa - to wszystko mozna zrobic mechanicznie, ale tu musi byc "uczenie"
Masz rację, widziałem stosowane metody mechaniczne, ale cieszę się również z tej metody przy dodatkowym ciśnieniu i braku konieczności montowania beczek na deszczówkę na większej wysokości. Myślę, że pewnego dnia wypróbuję system zasilania grawitacyjnego.
I grabbed this pump. It is way too loud