Looking for float switch for holding tank

[Chief Engineer]

The old float switch was mounted in the top of a keel holding tank.

The switch was a bulb on a cable...kinda like the bulb on a sump pump.

The problem is all the bulbs I find now are 3" or more in dia. I have a 1 1/2" hole to put it through.

The old one is about 1 3/8 dia. All the other holding tank level switches
like Sea-Lands are very short....the tank would be almost full before it triggered.

ANY idears would be welcomed

[S/V Elusive]

hummm... the bulb is made of what material ... if rubber or simillar, can't you 'fold it' and shove it through and then allow it to expand once on the inside?

[GordMay]

Wema Modesl: “SHS”, or “SSS & SSL” > http://www.wemausa.com/
SeaLand “Tank Watch” > http://www.dometicsanitation.com/prodsmaccess.asp

[Alan Wheeler]

Yeah I know the "bulb" you are talking about. It is used in domestic situations where size is not an issue. I once had a small holding tank for grey water and used a bilge pump float switch. It worked OK, but I guess in a holding tank with sludge, it may stick. There are electronic devices that have no moving parts that I would suggest you go for. Two that I know of, one has propes that touch the liquid and the other senses through the plastic tank material.

[delmarrey]

No moving parts would be better. Junk can get around the float type and give you a false reading. There's not much worse then an over flow at the dock and hoping the vent works.

Gord has a couple sites above.