Wells, Sump Pumps and Septic Sewage Systems - How many bad floats can 1 person have?

Hi,

Here is a description of my problem:

Septic system installed in 2001.

About 3 months ago had Control Panel replaced in tank since my septic warning alarm no longer functioned. The original Control Panel was corroded. Also had tank pumped at that time.

About 2 weeks after that the alarm goes off and tank was full. Replaced mechanical float with a mercury float. Everything seemed fine.

1 week ago I hear the pump running and it does not shut off. The float is in the correct position and the tank is empty. Jiggled the float and the pump shut off. Replaced the mercury float with another mercury float.

Today I hear the pump running and it does not shut off. Jiggled the float and the pump shut off. For now the pump is working correctly.

At this point we are not sure why all of the floats stop working. Going to have an electrician come out and measure the voltage going to the tank.

Maybe the floats are shorting out? Could it possibly be a bad control panel? Is the pump on its way out?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-Steve

I am going to go with the float. If you tossed the control box in the trash or had a brand new one, the float still tells the pump when pump when there is water in the tank.

Unless, there is some kind of float override built into the box. If there is, it should be done away with.

Does the float you bought make any kind of sound when it is flipped up and down. Like from the on to the off position.

If it makes a any kind of clicking sound, it is not a mercury float. It is a mech. type float.

A mercury one does not make any sound.

We have had good luck with the mercury ones.


Travis

I agree, mercury is the way to go. Also make sure the panel is sealed from the tank so moisture does not get into the panel.

The new floats that are used are yellow mercury floats.

I have been working with a septic company on this issue. They are working with me to solve the problem, but are at a loss on why the floats seem to be going bad.

So at this point they have offered to replace with another mercury float or if I wish go back to a mechanical float.

They want an electrician to come by and check the power to the pump. One theory is that the pump is drawing to much current and shorting out the floats.

In everyone’s experience how often do floats go bad?

Thanks,
-Steve

I have never seen a mercury switch go bad. Unrelated to setpic I have a couple float switches on a machine from the 1960's and they still work flawlessly. They are amazingly simple. A glass vial with two metal contacts and a small blob of mercury. The only thing I can think of is the wire to the mercury switch going bad. Repeated flexing can cause the conductors inside to break but that should take many years to occur.

Have you cut open the mercury switch that went bad (perform an autopsy)? If you find out how it failed it might tell you what is causing the problem.

Float positioning in the sump (often as related to the effluent entering) is sometimes diagnosed as a 'bad float'. When the new float is installed; the installed position often changes (ever so slightly)...the float works again...then is affected yet again by bad positioning/improper tethering at a later date.

(just something to check)...