Re: Bilge Pump Switch

Hi Fellas,
    Think I got it. Thanks to

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Ball rolling up and down a tube.

Just set up a tube (Plastic) with a roller inside (lead ball
sinker)

Set it so the "float side" is just slightly heavier when the ball
is on the "up" side.

When the ball is on the "up" side the ball rolls to that end. The
mercury switch kicks in. When the water level drops the ball
(reluctantly) drop to the low end (giving a suitable time delay)
and kicks out the mercury switch. Now ready for the next cycle.
    I have had a bit of an experiment with this and am encouraged
by the results.
It also reconciles with my KISS philosphiloy.

Thanks for everybody's contributions.

Cheers
Oliver Fleming

"Oliver Fleming" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Hi,
>     I am sure this has been covered before but I cannot find it
> on google.
>
> However I am sick of replacing bilge pump switches.  ( I have a
> shed full of floats!)
>
> I  thought to seal a mercury switch and put it on the float
when
> the float goes up the pump comes on (through a good relay)
>
> However the switch comes on the pump runs for a very short time
> and just clicks on and off driving the relay crazy.
>     I need to have a delay that will keep the relay pulled in
say
> 5 to 10 seconds before dropping out and resetting.
>     Anyone have an idea or circuit that will do this for me.
> Thanks
> Oliver Fleming
>
>