Hello, New Member Here

I coming from the Universal-Devices forums having heard about this forum from them.
 
I have two ISY994i s, one of which has zwave, and two CAI WC8 boards. I use the WC8s primarily as a way to get inputs and outputs (contacts) to the ISYs, since I have found the Insteon solutions to be less than reliable for what I need. Using the WC8 has worked well for one aplication but I am still learning the ins and outs of the WC8 board and its limitations.
 
In addition I am running a ControlByWeb X310 for sump pit monitoring. I am open to suggestions as to how I can get the X310 to send an input to the ISY, if a way to do that exists. Using ControlByWeb for outputs works well since they can recieve "rest" commands. I have found these devices to be very reliable for my application.
 
I am also intrested in remote control solutions for the TV and audio systems, trying to raise the WAF factor.
 
I plan to post to these topics as my time permits
 
Jerry
 
 

Welcome to Cocoontech Jerry!
 
What type of pump are you using for you sump pit?
 
I ask because I have just noticed that my float switch is going and that is relating to the initial startup draw of the Zoeller cast iron sump pump of 30 amps.
 
Mine is going on ~7 years now and the the float switch getting stuck will most likely shorten the life of the pump.
 
I've been using a quick tap with a hammer to kick float switch off and it did for for a bit; now though its maybe a day or so.
 
I did just read yesterday that the Zoeller float switch is a common issue?
 
Ordered a Zoeller OEM float switch replacement this morning.  Should take 15 minutes to replace.  (plumbing is low on WAF here).
 
Previous Sump pump was a Flotec (big box store purchase) with a lifetime warranty that lasted 3 months.
 
I have a Davey pump which I think will last longer than me.  I called them once in Australia and they talked me through cleaning the pump; very plug n play.
 

In addition I am running a ControlByWeb X310 for sump pit monitoring.

Click to expand...

 
What are you monitoring?

I actually alternate periodicaly between a Zoeller M53 and a Liberty 237. I use an external float switch with the Zoeller as the rubber boot on the M53 built-in switch will fail over time causing the pump to not run or run unreliably.

I also have a battery backup pump for power fail situations.
 
I have two float switches, one for high pit level and the other for high high pit level. These are in addition to the float switches that activates the pumps. The high level is set just below the battery backup pump switch, but higher than the primary pump level switch, and the high high is set higher than the battery backup pump switch. The x310 monitors these alarm switches and sends a text if a switch trips.

Thanks Jerry.
 
Yup here second well has a Pentair Hytromatic pump (rarely goes on).  The Zoeller is an M53 (well model number has that in it). 
 
I had read that 30 AMP initial start up draw will just suck the life out of any switch connected to it over time (internal or external).
 
Good to know about the rubber boot as I will be taking it apart in a couple of days.
 
Yup; here too have a battery backup. 
 

The x310 monitors these alarm switches and sends a text if a switch trips.

Click to expand...

 
Very nice.  Here integrate stuff with my HAI OPII panel.  I also (for whatever reason) have an IP PT utilitity room camera facing this stuff.
 
Looked at the X310 device.  Very nice stuff.  Looks to be a DIN device.  (here using DIN for LV power supplies (LED)).
 
Are you also integrating flood sensor and water shutoff stuff with the X310?

No integration with shutoff valves, I do however, have a local alarm announciator that will sound as long as an alarm condition exists with a light that latches on upon alarm condition that is manually reset. The x310 handles the logic for all this.

Very nice Jerry.   Enjoy your visits here as there are many CT members that eat, sleep, drink automation/security/software/hardware here some 24 hours a day.

Pete
 
I've gotten over ten years before a failure from Wayne pumps and then it was just a switch failure. After that much time I buy a new pump and keep and repair the old one for emergency backup and just in case I ever need a pump for some other purpose.
 
I recently installed a Basement WatchDog system in my sump hole with two pumps and deep cell battery backup. I like the fact that it had two pumps and two switches for complete redundancy and a deep cell battery backup with a battery float charger included. When I installed it I hated the short run cycles on their switch which is not adjustable so I replaced the switch with a vertical floating switch from Home Depot. Now it works great and I can adjust the cycle times.
 
Mike.
 
EDIT
 
I forgot to mention that the BIG DOG includes a sensor that I hooked up to the elk so that I get a call whenever the pump goes into backup (meaning that the primary pump has failed or there has been a power outage).

Flex said:

I am also intrested in remote control solutions for the TV and audio systems, trying to raise the WAF factor.

Click to expand...

 
Good luck with that....
 
I have two screens in the house and my wife won't even use the one that has an xbox controlling it. Anything more than a single remote control is "too complicated" for her. Now understand that she is an IT professional and used to be a network engineer, she just has a very very high acceptance factor. In my experience, women tend to be technophobes.
 
Mike.

Thank you Mike.
 
Yup here I have duplicate standby Sump pumps with the PVC pipes connected.  I also utilize whatever backup / battery sump pump sysem purchased some 10 years ago (watch battery and do test the system and have another 12VDC pump backup).   I do not pay much attention to it these days except for the current switch failure of the Zoeller pump after 7 years.  I have not heard of a Wayne Pump here in the midwest.
 
Automation wise it is all connected OPII panel plus a bit more redundancy added via Homeseer (well and a CCTV PT camera to get a visual if I am not around).
 
I did fix the surround home drainage such that the sump pump rarely does work these days; well too the electric power rarely fails these days.  I moved much of the original inside home infrastructure to a utilites section (room) of the basement. Mostly the work was relating to copper water lines.  The local electrical grid has been updated but it really wasn't much of an issue here.  Funny too that much of the electrical grid stuff went above ground where as in FL most of it is being put below ground.  Small subdivision here all infrastructure is underground which was the same as the old house.

@Jerry, WAF plays a big part in automation in general and here.  Here many years ago did purchase a do all touch screen remote control for wife (a gift which was very low on the WAF).  She never did use it.  It was not at all like purchasing something other than jewelery or flowers.  Geez here always have been happy with the gift of a power tool or whatever.
 
Unrelated to OP and related to replacing switch on Zoeller pump.  (note back up one is a new Flotec).  Easy peasy to replace the switch and seal was still good on old switch.  Personally liked the two day Amazon delivery of the switch this morning.  I didn't like spending a nice Sunday morning playing with a pump though.
 
Reading a bit on Amazon noticed mostly the issues were related to switch with folks stating they would go back to Wayne or Flotec pump.
 
Best probably to go back in time and purchase a new pump which I cannot do.  Favorite pump here is the Davey pump running fine now for ~ 12 years.  Called Davey CS in Australia once and they talked me through cleaning the pump.  Nice bunch of folks there.