Shower Sump Failure Alarm

[Midnightsun]

Here is a simple and cheap DIY way of being alerted if the float switch or pump fails on the shower sump. I am sure all of you have found the sump overflowed and filled a substantial amount of water into the bilge at some point. Only way one notices is the shower does not drain as well so one tends to verify however usually way too late and most likely after multiple showers. This will prevent this from going unnoticed. a simple small float switch installed into the cover of the sump, a small piezo buzzer and hook up to the same 12v power supplying your sump bilge pump. Loud enough to be heard under the floor. The piezo draws only a few milliamps so no issue connecting directly to the float.

Float switch. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08122CS3N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Piezo Buzzer. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HDYSY1V?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I did add a waterproof connector however this is not required.

IMG_2925.jpg

[g36]

Yes I did this same alarm a few years ago after having mine overflow,. I just wired mine through the existing pump float switch

[Midnightsun]

I just wired mine through the existing pump float switch

Can you elaborate? Not understanding how that would work.

[g36]

Yea no problem. Maybe a bit different than your setup or idea but This is how i wanted to use this. Using the float switch to trigger the audio alarm. When the pump turns on the alarm will sound and then turn off when sump box is empty of water only runs a few seconds while pump is on. So if I hear the audio alarm staying on for any extended period I know the box is not emptying, i.e full of hair etc. Or pump is not working. In the head I changed it up to a lamp so at night I would not wake up the wife while using the sink. This setup works great for us and I have not had any overflowing mishaps anymore.

[km1125]

One thing I though about doing was adding a little delay before shutdown circuit between the float switch and the pump. When the float was triggered, the pump would run but then when the float dropped the pump would still run for "x" seconds to get the remaining water out of the sump before the pump shut down.

[Midnightsun]

My biggest issue is float switch failure which is always why mine overflow. I do clean everything out every year going as far as removing the pump and float from the box to get it thoroughly cleaned. Heck, even use tweezer to remove any hair caught in the impeller. I have changed both pumps and float switch brands in both sumps now and have installed the alarms. Hopefully the new floats will last longer.

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post One thing I though about doing was adding a little delay before shutdown circuit between the float switch and the pump. When the float was triggered, the pump would run but then when the float dropped the pump would still run for "x" seconds to get the remaining water out of the sump before the pump shut down.

Have you checked the check valve? Located in the small hose inside the shower sump that connects the pump to the shower box outlet. They wear out and do not seal well after x years. Even with a delay of several minutes, it cannot pump out all the water from the line which tends to flow back into the sump. https://marinepartssource.com/check-val ... rule-1240r.

Number 5 on this link works even better although it would be installed just outside the box by cutting the line and inserting it in-line. Works perfectly on 3/4" ID hose which is pretty standard on all sumps. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002 ... 1802dc6QQj

[bud37]

I think most all of this stuff is designed for cheap replacement on a maintenance schedule unfortunately. Hans you are probably lengthening that time frame considerably by maintaining to that level.

[km1125]

Source of the post

Source of the post One thing I though about doing was adding a little delay before shutdown circuit between the float switch and the pump. When the float was triggered, the pump would run but then when the float dropped the pump would still run for "x" seconds to get the remaining water out of the sump before the pump shut down.

Have you checked the check valve? Located in the small hose inside the shower sump that connects the pump to the shower box outlet. They wear out and do not seal well after x years. Even with a delay of several minutes, it cannot pump out all the water from the line which tends to flow back into the sump. https://marinepartssource.com/check-val ... rule-1240r.

Number 5 on this link works even better although it would be installed just outside the box by cutting the line and inserting it in-line. Works perfectly on 3/4" ID hose which is pretty standard on all sumps. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002 ... 1802dc6QQj

Neither of mine were drainback issues. The float switch would always need at least 1/2" to 3/4" to activate and would shut off when the water got down to about that amount. I had even considered just putting a manual push-button switch that bypassed the float for manually emptying it the rest of the way.

[Frizzy79]

Hi there. I think it was yourself that gave me my first welcoming reply on this forum
If it was thank you
Mate.
I have a 2157 carver montego that I’m completely having rebuilt and will need to source the hard to find bit n bobs!!!
Good to stay in touch and I’ll get
Back to you soon with specifics of what I’m needing.
Thanks again. John