DIY Ebb & Flo Bucket Controller and System

[resinryder]

Gonna keep on checking in BG. After all the time you've had to think about your next grow, I can hardly wait to see the results. Gonna be a good one!!!! Count me in.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys, in the middle of setting up the demo now. Putting together the hose now and going to test fire the system very soon. Next couple of minutes. I'll be back in a few and let everyone know how it went and post some more pictures. Thanks again for all the support.
Take care,
BG

 

[Guest]

TEST FIRE, TEST FIRE, TEST FIRE​

Well, i test fired the unit and things did not go well. I'll go over what happen with the test firing.

The Good

No leaks. All fitting did not leak a drop, so that really made me happy.
Power to unit. There is power to the unit
Float switches are working
Pumps are working
Timer is working
Water flows to buckets from controller

The Bad

Power to outlet all the time. This should not be like this when time is tripped.
Bottom float switches seem to be backwards. Need to switch around
Trip to outlets not working. I think this is the same problem as power outlet.

Well, I got some hose today and put some buckets together. I just wanted to run 2 buckets to make sure the wiring was right. Didn't want to run all 12 buckets, till i knew everything was right. For some reason, the outlets that controll the pumps. Have power all the time. They shouldn't have power till the timer trips them. Something is wired wrong and i think it has something to do with me running a different type outlet. I'm going to take everything apart and check all the wiring. Seem that this is the main problem as of now. The bottom float switches might need to be flipped around. I'm going to look at it more in the next few days and test fire again. I'd like to thank everyone that is following this thread, because from the looks of it. This thread has over 1700 views and that's alot. Thanks and take care everyone.
later,
BG

 

[Guest]

Afternoon everyone and thanks for all the kind words and support. Here's alittle update and i'll be doing alot more updating this night and over the weekend. Thanks again for stopping by.
Take care

Well, I ran the power cord to the outlet. First i drilled a hole at the bottom of the box. What i did is found a drill bit about the same size as the power cord and then drilled the hole. Once that was done. I ran the cord and attached the ground to the ground screw. Once that was done. I attached the Hot wire and then the Neutral. I'm not going to get into wiring, because i don't want someone to get hurt or even worse. Black is "HOT" and "White" is Neutral and green is ground. You can find sources on the internet about wiring. Here is a picture of how i wired my outlet. I'm not good with wiring and just found some info on the internet and did what they said. Once i got the outlet wired. I got a light and tested the outlet. Both outlet plugs worked fine. Here's a picture of the back of the box. Next update will be the bucket controller.

it looks like you wired the power cord "hot" str8 to the outlet. you need to break the tab in between the two screws on the hot side and have them come off your timer/relay. you need to break the little tab between the screws this way each part of the outlet ( for each pump) won't stay hot together. i hope this helps you cuz i've never done any hydro setup. i'm looking into it though. but i am an electrician by trade and just trying to help you out.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, that sounds about right. I'll pull the outlet and look for that tab i need to break. That's what i like about this place. There's always someone here to help you out. I'll get it done tomorrow and test the unit one more time. I've also got to flip the lower floats and everything should work right. That's if i wired everything right in the box. Thanks again for your help.
Take care,
BG

 

[synthacide]

did you figure out your wiring problem?

beautiful system k++++++!

 

[KingRalph]

i was lookin for this thread...

glad you're havin fun with buckets durin your time off bg. i love the design, hope ya work out any n all kinks, don't hesitate ta tell us any! it's good warning n learning all around

i might make one or two of these sometime, they're just so easily maintained like a well designed system is, an can handle those higher temps much better than dwc which means more potential lights! hehe

hopin i can find lava rock really cheaply, fillin a lotta buckets with hydroton gets costly for my mcgyver self!

keep up the work n have fun bg peace n green thumbs man

 

[Guest]

Hey Guys, I'll get back to the controller this weekend. Been super busy with work and dog tired at the end of the day. I'd like to thanks thorodee again. I'm thinking that was one of my problems. I'll make sure to get this sorted out this weekend. I'll have alot more to post. Thanks everyone for all the support. Once i get this system all done and working right. I'm going to edit the thread and clean it up some and maybe add some more steps to make it easier. Once don't with this thread. I'm going to move on to a Aero Pipe system next.
Take care,
BG

 

[mrwags]

GDW I know how ya feeel regarding the be tired part. I've almost completed my overhaul and will be posting maybe this weekend. This site needs more DIY threads like this and you should be commended for doing so. Thanks For Sharing.




Mr.Wags

 

[Guest]

Thanks, been DOg tired from the crazy heat here. Been busting my ass outside alot. I'll get this going and worked out. Once i get it running right. The next project will be the Aero pipe system. That is going to be fun also. Going to use some nice wood for the racks that are going to hold the unit. Well, thanks for the support and kind words.
Take care,
BG

Wags, let us know when you post some pictures. You always got me wanting to see more of your setup. Love the system you run.
Take care

 

[Raque]

The Bad

I built 3 of these controllers using Krypto's instructions - they worked fine, just the float switches didn't work like they should have, only 1 of the 2 worked, and there was no delay so the pump would switch on and off RAPIDLY when the float was topped up to the top and the water bounced the switch, which will blow your pump.

I shelled out 200ea for real controller buckets to see the difference- works 100%, I'll never build another one. They're worth the extra $100 bucks.

 

[Heady NUGs]

I built a krypto controller bucket too, and it works perfectly. When you add the float switches to the controller bucket, the top two, and bottom two MUST be offset by a 1/2 inch. By offset, I mean one float switch is 1/2 inch higher than the other one. This offset keeps the waves from turning the pump on and off...a very important feature.



Nice thread GDwomen, its so much more satisfying making things yourself. Keep up the good work.


I LOVE the camouflage bucket too!

 

[Raque]

its is so much more satisfying making things yourself.

Oh it was definately fun building one, like building a science project, it was very entertaining. But Im not about to use my potato powered light bulb to light up my living room, I prefer my pot lights.

I say build one if you got the time and you need to save money, if not just buy it. I've done the DIY thing for years, I'm burnt out. I'd rather just pay someone to do all my shit for me nowdays

*and yes, my switches were 1/2" higher/lower than each other. I built 3 of these, ripped them apart, rebuilt them, diff. wiring configurations, etc and couldn't find the prob. Like i said, it was a fun lil project. Everyone should build at least 1

 

[Heady NUGs]

hmmm, those reed switches are also reversible, was one of yours possilby backwards? My 4 float switches didn't arrive set the same, one float had to be flipped.

 

[Raque]

hmmm, those reed switches are also reversible, was one of yours possilby backwards? My 4 float switches didn't arrive set the same, one float had to be flipped.

I tried every configuration i could - flipped em this way and that. Probably got faulty switches, who knows what it was, but I had the same prob on all 3 I built. Hell, it coulda just been me not measuring right or something.

Either way, it was definately a cool little project... and mines DEFINATELY dindn't come out as nice looking as GDW's

 

[ethereal]

hey Raque thx for the tips/advice. buyin a unit is soundin better and better hehehe

 

[mrwags]

Thanks, been DOg tired from the crazy heat here. Been busting my ass outside alot. I'll get this going and worked out. Once i get it running right. The next project will be the Aero pipe system. That is going to be fun also. Going to use some nice wood for the racks that are going to hold the unit. Well, thanks for the support and kind words.
Take care,
BG

Wags, let us know when you post some pictures. You always got me wanting to see more of your setup. Love the system you run.
Take care

All is well in Wags Land BG

Mr.Wags

 

[Guest]

Well, I hate to post this. I was Robbed the other day. My storage unit was broken into and everything was taken. I'll post the link and you can check it out, but all my grow gear was stolen as well with 2 HD's. One a Chopper and one my girlfriends Sporster. Here's a list of the grow stuff stolen

All my Bucket's,Controller,55 gal Rez Tank
2 Brand New never used 120 site Mini Coli units
4 Brand New never used 600HPS Lights
4 Brand New never used Heavy Duty Digital Timers
1 PH Meter
1 PPM Meter
2 pumps
odds and ends

Well, i've been stock piling brand new grow gear to get me up and running for my return. Bought some New Coli Mini units back and spent 3,000 for them both new. Bought 4 600HPS new lights and spend 1,200 for those and more money for the rest. All i can say is that everything was taken. Even my highschool pictures and stuff. I'm not going to type and post everything, but i wanted to say. I can't finish this project and its over. I will say that i did get the outlet to work right and the floats did look to be working right. The outlet was hot wired and i just broke the side tabs. Well, I'm sorry i can't finish this thread. I might order the parts and do another control, but i've got more important things to worry about now. Thanks for following and posting in my thread and wish the best for everyone.
Take care,
BG

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=35541

 

[synthacide]

awhh man im sorry sorry to hear about this....

karma is a mother f*cker though... remember that.....

hope your able to get back to growin soon

 

[bartender187]

Spineless punks