Could EC affect my automatic bilge pump?

[Old Person]

Could EC affect my automatic bilge pump? I have a recirculating system that uses a collection basin to house a Rule 1100gpm automatic bilge pump which returns nutrient back to the res. My problem happens usually at flush, when I run straight RO. I’m not the worlds smartest man, but I believe that somehow the EC is causing my sensor to not energize the pump, leading to the small collection box to overflow. Certainly someone else has had this problem…….I’m going to test the pump in two small containers, one with nutrient solution with an EC of 2.0 and the other container with straight RO.

 

[Billy the Mountain]

Could EC affect my automatic bilge pump? I have a recirculating system that uses a collection basin to house a Rule 1100gpm automatic bilge pump which returns nutrient back to the res. My problem happens usually at flush, when I run straight RO. I’m not the worlds smartest man, but I believe that somehow the EC is causing my sensor to not energize the pump, leading to the small collection box to overflow. Certainly someone else has had this problem…….I’m going to test the pump in two small containers, one with nutrient solution with an EC of 2.0 and the other container with straight RO.

No, the salinity of the fluid is unrelated to the operation of a pump.

By all means, do an A/B test to confirm or deny.

 

[Old Person]

I was referring to the sensor that activates the pump….they are integrated. So I was thinking the sensor used the water as a conductor and EC seemed to be my causing me problems during flush (0.3EC) it has happened three prior runs….. the pump is not actuated by a mechanical float……it is one that "senses" water…..I believe that my RO water is too clean (ec is too low) to activate the water "sensing circuit" I just can’t believe these would be that dam picky???

 

[Absorber]

I was referring to the sensor that activates the pump….they are integrated. So I was thinking the sensor used the water as a conductor and EC seemed to be my causing me problems during flush (0.3EC) it has happened three prior runs….. the pump is not actuated by a mechanical float……it is one that "senses" water…..I believe that my RO water is too clean (ec is too low) to activate the water "sensing circuit" I just can’t believe these would be that dam picky???

It could be causing it ,have you got some pictures of the probe and controller. There may be an adjustment pot to adjust sensitivity threshold .

 

[Old Person]

It could be causing it ,have you got some pictures of the probe and controller. There may be an adjustment pot to adjust sensitivity threshold .

It is an integrated assembly ……no adjustments…but….. your suggestion about adjusting the sensitivity is right on!!!
I’m very interested in testing the pump in a bowl of ro water vs. nutes 2.0 EC……..

 

[Absorber]

It is an integrated assembly ……no adjustments…but….. your suggestion about adjusting the sensitivity is right on!!!
I’m very interested in testing the pump in a bowl of ro water vs. nutes 2.0 EC……..

I use electronic liquid level controllers like this , this particular one is on a 20ltr bucket that sits under my dehumidifier and triggers to pump the water away .
You can see it has an adjustable sensitivy dial in picture . Shame yours isnt adjustable

 

[Billy the Mountain]

I was referring to the sensor that activates the pump….they are integrated. So I was thinking the sensor used the water as a conductor and EC seemed to be my causing me problems during flush (0.3EC) it has happened three prior runs….. the pump is not actuated by a mechanical float……it is one that "senses" water…..I believe that my RO water is too clean (ec is too low) to activate the water "sensing circuit" I just can’t believe these would be that dam picky???

Ok, my mistake, I did assume it used a integrated float mechanism.
If not, it almost certainly uses a simple capacitance sensor that relies on conductivity to complete a circuit and trigger the pump relay.
If the EC varies a lot, the sensitivity needs to be adjusted. It's a bummer yours doesn't have a potentiometer like the one pictured.

 

[Old Person]

Ok, my mistake, I did assume it used a integrated float mechanism.
If not, it almost certainly uses a simple capacitance sensor that relies on conductivity to complete a circuit and trigger the pump relay.
If the EC varies a lot, the sensitivity needs to be adjusted. It's a bummer yours doesn't have a potentiometer like the one pictured.

I’m playing around with building a drain box with two pumps for redundancy just in case. Hopefully today I will get time to test my RO theory……I have also considered not running RO any longer during flush… , just tap water for the for the last week…..