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.

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Quadri Pump Controller, highly configurable and easy to use.

As with all the Mac3 equipment I’ve come across, the quality and attention to detail always shine through. The Quadri is no exception to this, housed in a smart ABS housing – the Quadri not only looks good (I mean, who doesn’t appreciate a well-made casing?) but it is also going to last.

As a general-purpose pump controller, the Quadri can be deployed in several ways:

Boosting

Creates a pressure booster type system, using pressure switches and level probes to monitor an installation for pressure drop, then activating a pump as required to restore pressure to the user-set value.

Storage

For liquid storage, the Quadri is used to monitor the level in two tanks and maintain levels that are set on the Quadri itself.

Sewage

Similar to the storage setting but optimised for a single tank. Use a suitable dirty water float switch to control the level inside a septic tank, holding sump or similar.

Effortless versatility. Control one or two pumps. It’s just so easy.

All versions of the Quadri can determine tank level using float switches, pressure sensors, or level probes. This allows for greater flexibility when retrofitting to an existing installation and potentially reusing existing hardware inside the tank.

On top of this, the dual pump models are capable of duty balancing, alternating usage of each pump or, if configured to do so, activating both pumps together at times of increased demand.

Cos-phi Monitoring

Quadri Pump Controller with CosPhi Dry-Run Protection

The Quadri is also available with cos-phi (cosφ) monitoring in all variants (single / three-phase, single or dual pump). These versions are particularly well suited to installations where conventional level monitoring simply isn’t practical – think boreholes, wells, and remote tanks (the kind that made sense at the time of installation but, were never intended to be improved or modified (nobody stops to think of the tech that has to work on it afterwards!)). Installation or retrofit becomes considerably easier as we don’t need to run extra cables for conventional float switches, pressure transducers, or the like. Remember, less cabling generally leads to a happier life!

As the Quadri cosφ is constantly monitoring the power factor of the pump motor, the Quadri can shut down the system when it detects a potential blockage or dry-run situation. Protecting the installation, allowing the user (or their tame maintenance engineers) to investigate and resolve the issue.

The Quadri family of pump controllers is a simple and effective tool to consider when designing or upgrading a system, with the functionality and ease of use that we have come to expect from the Mac3 line.

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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Anyone who has seen my previous posts will see that I firmly believe in the power of simplicity. For any problem, there is always a simple solution (no, it isn’t always a hammer). For instance, if you are looking for a single tank-level controller, I highly recommend the SensoPress from Mac3.

Mac3 SensoPress – Simple yet versatile tank-level control

One Controller

This unit is designed to be DIN rail mounted and is easily be fitted into any existing cabinet, project box or mounting solution that can accommodate a 110mm length of DIN rail (plus any required cabling) to fit perfectly.

SensoPress is available in single or quad output relays in 230vAC and 117vAC. It can be configured as a tank fill/empty controller (single output) or to link outputs to set levels.

Suitable for working with clean and dirty water, water with suspended solids (such as sand) and aggressive fluids, the SensoPress can be employed in a wide variety of situations when equipped with an appropriate sensor.

While the single output models would work best in a simple tank filling or emptying situation. The quad output model allows for more complicated processes and finer level control.

One Probe

Typically, when designing a multiple-level system, the installation would require the fabrication of the float switches to the correct lengths. This is both time-consuming and, depending on the physical layout of the tank/plant room, potentially quite complicated (routing multiple cables is no fun, especially when there are obstructions (see: hammer)). The SensoPress simplifies the installation process by requiring only a single probe to be run into the tank.

Versatile Tank-level Control

The SensoPress allows us to set different outputs at a user-defined level. For example, a pump is started at ‘a’ and stopped at ‘b’ in case of high level – sounding an alarm if the level reaches ‘x’ or opening a valve when level ‘y’ is reached. Of course, this is only a very basic suggestion, but it gives an idea of what we can achieve with this simple-to-use unit, depending on the outputs of the model being used.

The actual levels, and output relays assigned to them are programmed on the SensoPress itself. This can be done in a plant room, or with careful planning before the SensoPress is even taken to site. So, no more messing about inside a tank, just turn up with the unit preset from the comfort of your office (work smart, not hard). This just leaves fine-tuning and final testing for the site visit.

Live Status Display

Unlike a traditional hardwired panel, the SensoPress can display the live status of the installation, be adjusted as required (without tools) and allows for password protection (to keep inquisitive users from making changes they really shouldn’t be).

Mac3 SensoPress has an intuitive user interface and display

Overall, the SensoPress is a useful addition to the level control toolbox, and there really is something cool about blue backlit displays (reminds me of the servers I used to use as a kid).

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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QuickStop Valve from Mac3. Rapid action ball valve alternative

There isn’t much to say about one of these units. Unlike a brass ballcock, the QuickStop is either open or closed. With a QuickStop there isn’t an ever-decreasing orifice (that will close – eventually). The diaphragm design of the QuickStop uses the incoming water to lock the valve shut (incompressibility of fluids and all that).

Available in 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5” models, with both Standard and Adjustable float arms, there is a valve for every installation.

QuickStop Standard

QuickStop Valve – Standard_Showing pre-set movement

The float arm on the Standard model has a preset deflection angle of 30^o with the float locked to the float arm itself. This allows for the water level to drop before the valve opens. The QuickStop Standard is ideal for those who only require a small quantity of water from a holding tank and prefer not to have the valve open every time water is drawn. It is also beneficial for those using a header tank or pump-fed holding tank as it reduces the number of pump restarts, thereby improving the pump’s longevity.

QuickStop Adjustable

QuickStop Valve – Adjustable. Showing adjustability.

The Adjustable model (as the name suggests) has full adjustment for both the deflection angle and float ball position. The angle can be modified to range from a fixed arm (with no deflection) to 150^o without any restrictions. During installation, the adjustment is made and securely locked in place. It can be easily readjusted if necessary.

In the Adjustable model, the float arm can be extended (by moving the float ball itself) up to 600mm from the body of the QuickStop.

The angle and float arm length variations make the QuickStop Adjustable suitable for different tank sizes and uses.

The QuickStop reminds me of my old Meccano set as a kid. So much fine-tuning available!

QuickStop Valve uses

The QuickStop can be deployed in any frost-free environment – from header tanks and analogue mains water top-up to agricultural uses like drinkers of gravity-fed irrigation systems (where power is unavailable).

The QuickStop is a quick and simple installation for a new project or retrofitted to an existing installation as a replacement or upgrade.

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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