Cisterns again

PUMP UP to FILL TANK FLOAT SWITCHES The Pump Up to Fill Tank controls serve just the opposite function as described above and are used to turn a pump off when cistern or tank is full. We stock these in open end ( without plug ) for direct wiring purposes. Since there is no plug, they can be used for either 115 volt or 230 volt use. All come with 15' cord. These variable level float switches are mechanically activated and DO NOT CONTAIN MERCURY to avoid any environmentally sensitive concerns. #1002725 $ 38.25
No Mercury Junior Single Ball Float Switch Control, without plug for use with up to 13 amps maximum. Can be used for either 115 volt or 230 volt direct wiring.

#1003253 $ 52.75
No Mercury Super single Ball Float Switch Control, without plug for use with up to 15 amps maximum. Can be used for either 115 volt or 230 volt direct wiring.

Ya I can see why they guy suggested not to use the probe system as he wouldn't get to make any service calls. lol

We run 4 deep wells sites, 550ft to 1000ft, and tried the float controls that we changed out about every 3mths. We pump about 60000gal at each well site every month.

I swiched them all over too the Warrick controls and in 20yrs have yet to replace a Warrick. We do however have to clean the probes once every 3yr to 5yrs but that's simple. The probe wire access is located 3ft above ground level so all one has to do is remove the SLB cover to pull the probe for cleaning, twist a piece of scotchbrite around the SS probe end, reinstall.

The low voltage series circuit that you describe is a good control circuit.

T_Bone

Wow Crem, you never want to use line voltage for control circuits immersed in water. Your existing float control was installed wrong as it should have been wired to a isolation relay that controled the contactor. Your lucky no one has been killed by that install!!!

The best line voltage cistern level control that I've found is called a Warick control. This control uses line voltage to introduce magnetic sensing of the water level probes. Cost about $30.

The magnetic sensing isolates line voltage from ever entering the water. A very nice safety feature.

Probes:
The probes are 1/4" x 2" long SS rod. Three probes are required. One to sense high water level, One to sense low water level, One to complete the ground circuit located on the bottom of the tank.
Probes need to be cleaned about every 3yrs.

Probe Cable:
The probe cable is made from shielded R59 coax cable. Easy to get at any electronics supply, Radio Shack, etc; The cable has a center copper conductor that is soldered to the SS probes.

Warick Control Operation:
The water level drops to below the low level probe and this causes a magnetic field to latch the warick contacts closed thus completeing the line voltage relay contacts thus turning on the well pump.

When the water level rises above the high water level probe this cause the magnetic field to unlatch the Warick relay contacts thus shutting off the well pump.

T_Bone

For even more safety, an "INTRINSICALY SAFE" module can be installed between the Warrick control and the probes. This will limit voltage AND current to a very tiny level that cannot possibly hurt a human, or even light off an explosion, even in most classes of explosive gas surroundings.

If you want it even safer, get a contactor that uses a Class II 24 Volt circuit.