Is the RainControl only for use with rainwater?

Simply, no. The RainControl can be used with other fluids. As long as the pressure sensor being used is tolerant of the fluid (viscosity, temperature, pH etc.) the RainControl can be used.

Do I need to build a panel around the RainControl?

Not at all. The RainControl functions as a level controller on its own. However, you can use the output from the RainControl to operate other components of a larger controller.

I’m trying to maintain a minimum tank level, from either mains water or a holding tank. Is the RainControl suitable for this?

Absolutely! The RainControl is totally suitable for maintaining a minimum tank level from either mains water or a holding tank. It can activate/deactivate a pump, solenoid, or simple mechanical valve using its onboard relay. The only thing you need to do is define the activation range, which includes the levels for activation and deactivation.

I need to set a high-level alarm on a holding or process tank. Should I consider using the RainControl, or do I need to create something from scratch?

This is a slightly trickier scenario. Yes, the RainControl can be used as a high-level system by triggering a beacon or sounder, depending on the location and ambient noise. However, if you need to activate a local beacon, or a remote beacon, and open a spillway or overflow solenoid, this would require a more complex controller. You would need to use the output from the RainControl to drive either a secondary controller or relays for this purpose.

I want to keep a tank at a minimum level, as in I want to hold water in a tank and release it over time, along the lines of a retention tank. Would the RainControl work in this situation?

I particularly liked this question. The answer is yes! With a little planning, a throttled outlet with a motorised valve can be activated by the RainControl. It really is only a matter of calculating the required flow rate and minimum tank level. Of course, if we wanted to get a little clever, the designer could add other functions like a high-level alarm or discharge notification by using the RainControl output to drive multiple relays. A setup like this can be as simple or complicated as the designer (or user) wants, and all centralised around a simple little box.

I have another potential use for the RainControl Tank Level Controller who can I contact for more information?

As always, with any of the Mac3 products, we are always happy to discuss them in greater detail and how they can be deployed in your designs or installations. Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems.

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RainControl rom Mac3 – Tank-level Control

Any Rainwater Tank level control system consists of four elements:

• A tank
• Rainwater harvesting
• Mains-water
• Controller

The key objective is to maximize the storage and use of harvested rainwater while minimizing the use of mains water. This requires a delicate balance as we experience fluctuating periods of wet weather and droughts with little warning. During wet periods the water tanks are full, but in the increasingly common dry summers, the tanks run low. Depending on usage, this can lead to various problems, from sanitation issues (such as yard washdown and toilet flushing) to maintenance issues (such as pump damage due to running dry). Not to mention the alarmed calls from sites/users when things don’t run exactly as expected. this is the point where an end user will ask ‘What’s the point of this system if it doesn’t work without rain?’ followed shortly by ‘To hell with it, I’ll just use the mains instead’.

RainControl for tank level control

At this point, we can pull a RainControl from our sleeve, either in the design stage or retrofitting to a pre-existing tank installation to add both level monitoring and top-up functionality.

The RainControl is designed to be DIN-rail mounted, allowing for installation in both panel mount systems or as a standalone unit in a windowed project box. The RainControl panel displays the live level inside the tank along with top-up status. It uses a pressure transducer, which eliminates the need for moving parts inside the tank, simplifying installation and use as only one input has to be configured.

Overview of the settings on the Mac3 RainContro

Now, unlike the majority of ‘simple’ or ‘basic’ top-up systems, the RainControl doesn’t add water to the tank for a specific amount of time, rather the RainControl can be configured to add a measured amount of water. This allows the installer (or end user) to set or adjust the minimum and maximum intervention levels inside the tank. When properly configured, this ensures that there is always a minimum level of water in the tank. When the RainControl detects that the water level has dropped below the minimum set level, it opens a solenoid or motorized valve to top up the tank until it reaches a specified maximum level. Once the tank is filled to this level, the RainControl closes the valve or solenoid until the water level drops again to the initial minimum point.

RainControl for Tank Emptying

We could use the same simple system to drain a tank. Turning this on its head, rather than filling a water tank, the relay inside the RainControl could be connected to a pump rather than a valve. So using the same setup (and just a touch of cunning) we can set the operational levels for draining a tank once it reaches level ‘x’ turning off the pump at level ‘y’.

This is an interesting idea for SuDS systems if we use an attenuated outflow on a motorised valve rather than a pump. The RainControl is a robust reliable system at a very competitive price point.

RainControl for Tank Level Alarm

The use of pumps/valves (and solenoids) is certainly one avenue. The RainControl could also easily be adapted into a high/low-level alarm using the relay to activate an alarm rather than a pump or valve. Again, it’s robust, simple to configure and install and competitively priced.

RainControl from Mac3

As with much of the Mac3 line, there are multiple uses for any given piece of equipment given a little design thought. The RainControl is a flexible addition for any parts list if building a controller from scratch, adapting an existing installation to a new purpose (always good fun) or simply replacing a failed system, there will always be a use for the RainControl.

Why not contact us if you have a thought about how you could use one of these anew, or to repair a failed system. We particularly love fixing redundant Rainwater Harvesting systems and bringing Rainwater Harvesting tanks back into use.

For more information

Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems.

The post RainControl – Tank Level Control appeared first on Mac 3 UK.

Advanced Flood Alarm – RKIT Level Alarm

At this time of year, we often hear of and see footage of rivers bursting their banks – and the damage this causes to homes and businesses around the country. Now, while prevention is always better than a cure, we can try to lessen the impact of these events with warning systems. To this end, we have created the RKIT – a family of Level Alarms that give the homeowner (or work site) advanced warning of rising water levels. When sited and installed correctly, they potentially give enough time to get vulnerable persons and items out of harm’s way or to move vehicles and prepare for the incoming water.

The most suitable kits for permanent advanced flood warning installations are the RKIT 1 and 2. These are mains (230vAC) powered devices with a 10m (RKIT 1) or 40cm (RKIT 2) cable attached to the capacitive level sensor. The cable can be lengthened via request or with a suitable IP68 cable joint to better fit site requirements.

If the Reka level capacitive level sensor is mounted at the lowest point of the property at risk of flooding (on a post or wall facing the water source) as the level rises, the legs of the Reka become submerged – triggering the alarm. By default, the RKIT comes with an 80dB sounder and beacon – which is generally loud enough for a domestic dwelling (and to annoy everyone around me in the office when I am testing the kits!).

As the Reka sensor requires immersion to activate and has no moving parts, there is little risk of a false alarm caused by splashing or rainfall.

Deployment of an RKIT unit can also form part of a flood action plan – not only to start breaking out the sandbags – but also to prepare other measures – such as the use of sumps to draw water away from important areas, moving critical or precious items to higher levels in a building and of course, isolating electrical circuits that are at risk.

While we cannot stop the waters (Canute tried that one, and we all know how that turned out) – we can at least prepare for them. As they say – Forewarned is forearmed.

Level Alarm – other uses

Aside from flood protection, the RKIT can be deployed in other situations that require a high-level / overflow alarm – protection for plant rooms, lift shafts, and even for when filling the coolant bath for machine shops (nothing is as slippery as ‘suds’ in a workshop ((some bruises don’t go away)). The RKIT is a remarkably versatile piece of kit. It is also available in 110v (RKIT 3 and 4) and 24vDC (RKIT 5 and 6) for worksite and marine / off-grid use.

For more information

Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems.

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