Koi pond i/o linc float switch program.

[EricK]

My wife has a koi pond that I try not to go near. Unfortunately, I only have to get involved when there is a problem (dead fish, water leak, huge bill, etc). I am trying to use my new ISY to monitor the pond. I have the outlet for the pump now controlled by a switchlinc, so if someone turns it off a text is sent to my wife at night so she can turn it back on.

I finally picked up a 3 wire float switch to go with an io linc to help monitor the water level. I have it set it for NC, so if the water is low the float is down, the switch closes and the sensor turns on. Here is my program for that situation, notify my wife and turn off the pump. I may add a wait just in case someone is messing with the pond and hits the float.:

If
       Status  'Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is On

Then
       Set 'Outside / Koi Pump Switch' Off
       Send Notification to 'Robin text' content 'Koi Pond Water is Low'

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

I also want to monitor the io linc to make sure it is working. What will a program like this do. How often does the if run. Do I need to set a schedule for the if. The circuit is on a backup generator so if we lose power, this should not be off for more than a minute. The io linc will be plugged into the same outlet as the pump, controlled by the switchlinc.

If
       Status  'Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is not Responding

Then
       Wait  20 minutes 
       Send Notification to 'Eric text'

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

I am considering setting up program for a KPl button on my wifes bathroom kpl, maybe sensor is off (float up, water level up), kpl led is on.

If
       Status  'Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is Off

Then
       Set Scene 'Master Bathroom / Bath Her KPL G' On

Else
       Set Scene 'Master Bathroom / Bath Her KPL G' Off

After using the great leak sensor programs I realize I need something more elaborate for the kpl. Maybe a schedule to turn of the kpl scene and run the program a couple of times each day. I have read a lot about variables so I am open to using one, with help, if needed.

Thanks.

Eric

[EricK]

Here is where I am with this. I have my sockit box ready (see the pic below) and did a test run and it seemed to work well. I need to just get a final position on the float switch. Power will come in via the yellow extension cord ( I ordered a new one since this one is 12G I think and not flexible). An io linc is plugged in and connected to a float switch. It is three wire so I have it set for the sensor to turn on if the float goes down, meaning water is low. An appliance linc is also connected and the pump motor will be plugged into a short gfi extension cord then the appliance linc. The pump does not have a switch and could not find a suitable inline switch on an outdoor extension cord so I have this for my wife or workmen to just turn the pump off durning maintenance. Obviously she could just turn off the appliance linc.

The outdoor outlet is controlled with a switchlinc already in case someone turns it off, my wife get a text/email at night to turn it back on.

 

Now I think I can condense these programs a bit, but right now that is not my goal.I just want to have programs that work. I have to add an extension to the float switch cable and the pond needs some work after the freeze (ie a bunch of cash) so I can't place the hardware in just yet.

Here are the programs:

Koi pond water level is low, alert is sent and appliance linc is turned off, turning off the pump. If there is a leak from the pump/filter system we want the pump off.:

If
       Status  'Outside / Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is On

Then
       Wait  3 minutes 
       Set 'Outside / Appliance Linc' Off
       Send Notification to 'Robin text' content 'Koi Pond Water is Low'

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

io linc sensor is on when the float switch is down (NC-closed).
Will send alert that the water level is low.

If the water level is low a kpl lights up on her side of the bathroom controlled by a scene. I am thinking of adding a beep to Her KPL.

If
       Status  'Outside / Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is On

Then
       Wait  5 minutes and 5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)
       Wait  5 seconds
       Set 'Master Bathroom / Master Bath Devices / Bath Hers KPL - A Shower Ligh' 5 (Beep Duration)

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

If the io linc sensor is on then water level is low, Her KPL will beep.

 

Next, koi pond level is ok, appliance link is turned back on, alert sent. I am debating n having the pump turn back on automatically.:

If
       Status  'Outside / Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is Off

Then
       Wait  30 seconds
       Send Notification to 'Robin text' content 'Koi Pond Water level is OK'
       Wait  3 minutes 
       Set 'Outside / Appliance Linc' On

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Alert to let you know the sensor is now off, water level ok.

Finally, a couple of programs to let me know that the equipment is working. I think I need to add a condition and status koi switchlinc is on. If someone turns it off then the devices will not respond.

If
       Time is  2:00:00PM
   And Status  'Outside / Appliance Linc' is not Responding

Then
       Wait  20 minutes 
       Send Notification to 'Eric text'

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

If
       Time is  2:00:10PM
   And Status  'Outside / Koi Pond io linc-Sensor' is not Responding

Then
       Wait  20 minutes 
       Send Notification to 'Eric text'

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[EricK]

Smithers,

I posted you message here to make sure you get the info you need. He wrote

Hello, I'm trying to accomplish something similar, I'd like to hook up a septic tank float switch to an I/O link to send a command to an on/off module in my home that would sound an alarm as well as have some lights flash. The question I have for you is I'm too sure exactly how I'd wire up the I/O linc to a float switch like THIS ONE. Do you have a picture of how your float switch has been wired to the I/O linc or perhaps a sketch?

I actually do not have this installed yet, maybe this weekend I will get it done. The io linc has two parts, a sensor and a relay. The float switch is connected to the sensor which has two terminals. When there is a connection between the two terminals, the sensor turns on. I believe the switch in the link you provided is a normally open switch. So when it is down there is no connection. When the float goes up, the circuit in the switch closes, or completed, which then connects the two sensor terminals on the io linc, turning the sensor on. The float switch I bought can be wired normally open or normally closed. What I have is a low voltage switch. What you have in your link is a regular voltage switch.

People use regular voltage to directly turn on a pump if their tank gets too full. It should still work for the io linc, however the terminals are fairly small so you are not going to get the 16g wire into them. You may need to step the wire size down.

Here is where we need more help. You should be able to wire the black and white wires of the float switch to the sensor terminals (G and S). I think you can leave off the ground wire. Also think about setting this up with a normally closed switch. So the sensor would be on when the water level is ok. If the sensor turns off, it means that the switch has malfunctioned, which happens, or the water level went up.

Make sure to give feedback on your project so others can learn from it.

Eric

[EricK]

So I finally have this set up installed. I had to add an extension onto the float switch so I used landscape wire with a small weatherproof junction box. The problem is that I am not communicating with the io linc. The appliance linc works fine. I even piggy backed the io linc into the appliance linc and that still did not work. The entire circuit is controlled by a DB switchlinc. So insteon signals should be getting there. I am going to switch out the appliance linc for a DB device to see if that helps and already plugged an AP into the io linc (with no improvement). This is outside, not far from the house. Ideally with the DB on/off in the sockit box and the AP plugged into our screened porch this will work. I also need to add a quick connect into the io linc so I can unplug the float switch easily. Thanks for looking.

 

Edit: bad io linc, will get it swapped out.

[rayg]

Did you get this installed and working.  I have a similar issue in that we use the pond as a source for our watering system.  The pond is actually filled normally from our geothermal furnace when cooling (which coincides with when I need to water the lawn).  But on occasion I need to add water to the pond so the idea, similar to yours would be to pump some additional water in when it gets below a certain threshold.

 

I like your weatherproof box.  Where do I find something like that?

[EricK]

Ray,

I do have the system running. Gear is in a Sockit box (http://t.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings/SOCKiT-Box/N-5yc1vZbm4mZ9lu). What you want to set up is an autofill, I think there are a few threads on this. You can buy a float switch that is open or off when the float is up. When the float drops the switch/circuit closes. Your pump would be plugged into the float switch so when the float drops the pump turns on.

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-Float-Switch-6PNU5?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP

Not an insteon solution but an option.

You could set up something similar to what I have. When my float drops it turn on the io linc sensor turns and then shuts off the appliance linc that the pump is plugged in to. You could make it so that the pump is plugged into the appliance linc and is turned on when the water level is low.

Eric