Level Waters EasyFill MC-01B User manual

MC-01B EasyFill
™
Sensing Unit
User Manual
Thank you for purchasing the Level Waters ™ MC-01B
EasyFill
TM
Electronic Sensing Unit. It is the smallest
automatic, completely electronic water level sensing unit on
the market. The MC-01B is also available in a complete
system, the MLS-3401 that includes a power unit and
valve or the MLS-1002 with a 1” valve and power.
The MC-01B incorporates a dependable patented sensing
process in a economical design for those on a budget. It may
be used in many applications including ponds, water
gardens, fountains and other water features.
The Unit uses no external moving parts and will not clog like
standard float valves can. It is hand assembled from PVC
material instead of molded ABS plastic. PVC provides for
better endurance in sunlight and heat and will extend the life
of the components over time than using other plastics would.
Using our unique single plane geometric sensor design, the
MC-01B provides dependable filling in a simple design to
achieve an optimum water level. Installation is a snap with
simple plumbing and wiring.
For more information on our full line of professional leveling
systems, visit us on the web at www.aquilitysystems.com.
Safety Overview
The EasyFill
TM
Pond Water Level Sensing Unit is designed to
provide the user a safe product that is easy to install and
use. When installed as described in this manual, the system
presents no unsafe shock hazards. However, altering any of
the components may present an unsafe circumstance.
Some other considerations to keep in mind during
installation and operations are as follows:
Always use a Class 2 power limiting supply.
Never mount a power supply made for indoor use in an
outdoors environment where it will get wet. Follow all
manufacturer instructions when installing a power
supply.
Do not insert metal objects into sensor probes while unit is
turned on.
Do not break seals on unit. Doing so may expose the user
to potentially dangerous voltages when unit is turned on and
will void the warranty.
Do not plug the power supply in until all wiring is complete
and leads are not exposed!
NEVER connect the sensor black lead to either power lead!
Always use safety equipment, such as eye protection, and
dust mask when cutting PVC piping along with other normal
safety precautions.
Always carefully follow all installation instructions.
Installation
The MC-01 Automatic Water Level Sensing Unit is simple to
install. A 24VAC Class 2 power unit with sufficient power
handling capability to power the supply valve (typically 350-
400ma) and a 24VAC irrigation valve will be needed for
installation. These may be purchased from many local
hardware stores. We recommend the following components:
• Stancor 4124 24VAC 300ma power supply
• Toro 53380 24VAC ¾” MPT irrigation valve
Installation will also require simple PVC pipe installation and
screw mounting the sensing unit along with simple wiring.
The limited plumbing that is necessary to provide the system
with filling water, requires only a hacksaw (or other
appropriate saw), PVC cement and sufficient PVC and
adapters.
Preparing for Installation
Open the package and ensure that all of the components are
present and have not been damaged in shipping. Items
included in the system are:
• MC-01B EasyFill
TM
Sensing Unit
• Mounting Accessory Kit
Identify where the EasyFill
TM
will be mounted. The fill valve
should be mounted within reach of the control wires on the
EasyFill
TM
An outside water feed, such as a spigot will need to
be run to the valve and then to the water feature that will be
filled.
A weather-protected receptacle for power will need to be
located within a maximum of six feet of the EasyFill
TM
Sensing
Unit to install the power module. Do not extend the wires on
the power unit or the power leads of the sensor.
Warning! Always consult with an electrician when installing
electrical wiring! Not doing so could result in a dangerous
condition and/or noncompliance with electrical codes.
Installing the Sensing Unit
Determine a location where the EasyFill
TM
sensing unit will be
mounted (try to find an inconspicuous place.). If the unit is to
be mounted in a skimmer, locate the surface it will mount on
and verify that the sensor window will maintain the level at
the optimum height for the skimmer.
Position the EasyFill
TM
sensing unit so that the
probe window faces down toward the water
with the bottom edge of the window at the
lowest water level desired. To avoid
overflows, the bottom of the sensor probes
should fall approximately 1-½ - 2 inches below
the pond edge. The EasyFill
TM
has no capacity
for delaying fills in turbulent waters due to
ancillary water systems such as fountains and
waterfalls. Therefore care must be taken
when choosing the mounting location and water level. If the
sensor height will need to be adjusted, MNT-EZ adjustable
mount will need to be installed. This will not be needed for
most installations.
Mark the mounting surface to match the two mounting holes
in the EasyFill
TM
housing. (If no holes are desired, the unit
may be affixed using silicone sealant) Drill a small #4 pilot
hole at the marks and screw the EasyFill
TM
snuggly to the
mounting surface with the #8stainless screws provided. DO
NOT over-tighten the screws!
Installing the Valve
Plumb the input and output of the valve (follow
manufacturer’s instructions for valve) to an always-on water
source using PVC pipe or garden hose (see ‘Plumbing the
Unit’ for PVC installation tips). We recommend installing a
ball valve on the output of the valve to control flow volume to
the water feature.
Warning! The fill valve must be installed in an upright
position with the wires extending upwards from the unit
to function correctly.
Wiring the System
Wiring the EasyFill
TM
sensing unit to the power supply and fill
valve requires that each connection be sealed from water
using self-adhering tape and electrical sealant.

Warning! Do not plug the power supply in until all wiring
is complete and leads are not exposed! NEVER connect
the sensor black lead to either power lead! Doing so will
could cause damage to the power unit and void the
warranty!
Remove precut insulation from sensor and power supply
wire ends. Connect wires as shown in Diagram 2 using wire
nuts provided. Bend wire nut connection flat to length of wire
and wrap with self-adhering tape making sure to create a
proper watertight seal. Apply a liquid electrical sealant
(available at most hardware stores) to each connection. We
recommend that the unit be tested before weatherproofing
the connectors.
Note: It does not matter which red wire from the valve or
black wire from the power unit are used when wiring.
Connection Power Lead Valve Lead Sensor Lead
1 1 Black 1 Red White
2 2 Black --- Red
3 --- 2 Red Black
Plumbing the Unit
Using ¾” PVC pipe (available at most hardware stores) run
water supply from the fill valve outlet to the pond routing it
the way desired.
Parts needed:
• Hacksaw (or other suitable fine-toothed saw)
• PVC glue
• Required lengths of 3/4” PVC
• Required angle adapters.
Cut and fit all PVC pipe from the fill valve to the water
feature without gluing to make sure that the pipes are where
the user desires them.
Clean and glue all parts with general PVC cement to form a
watertight seal. Allow joints to dry for 24 hours before
connecting water to the system.
Plug the power supply into the weather-protected receptacle.
The unit is ready for operation
Operation
Once the EasyFill
TM
is connected properly and plugged in it
will fill anytime the water level drops below the sensor probe
window. Depending on how turbulent the water is, the
EasyFill
TM
may cycle on and off from time to time or make a
humming sound. This is normal and will subside once the
water level has reached a point where the ends of the
probes are completely submerged.
Note! Contrary to popular belief, pure water is not a good
conductor. Some city water can be highly filtered, such as
places in California, which can cause the EasyFill to not turn
the valve off when water has not had time to season. Placing
salt into the pond will resolve this issue until the water has
time to season properly.
Note! If the level of the water at the time of power up is low,
the unit will fill until the water level reaches the probes before
turning off.
Maintenance
The EasyFill
TM
requires very little maintenance. Periodically
clean the sensor probes thoroughly with the supplied wire
brush or equivalent to remove debris and film. No other
maintenance is required.
Troubleshooting
The MC-01B EasyFill
TM
Automatic Pond Leveling
Sensor should maintain the level in your pond for many
worry-free years. However, if you should experience
problems with it, it may be caused by some of these
common issues that can be resolved by the user:
 Pond overflows when filling
 Verify valve is installed upright, flow
direction is correct and manual fill screw
is tight.
 Readjust sensor height to lower water
level.
 Verify proper connection with the white
wire from the sensor.
 Water may not be seasoned. Add a
small amount of salt (see operation
note).
 Pond will not fill
 Check to make sure power is available
at receptacle.
 Check for debris on sensor and clean
per instructions.
 Check to ensure connections are not
damaged and are covered with
weatherproof tape or sealant. Allow
connections to dry if necessary and seal
per the instructions.
Warranty
Aquility Systems, Inc warrants this product to the original
purchaser for a period of two years against defects in
material or workmanship when used for normal residential
purposes it is intended for. In order to obtain a replacement
unit or repair the existing unit, you must obtain a RMA
number and return the complete unit, postage prepaid, to the
place of purchase, or to the Aquility Systems facility. (6949
SW 21
st
Lane, Gainesville, FL 32607)
This warranty is intended to cover product defects only.
Aquility Systems, Inc. is not liable for indirect, incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the use of the
Level Waters product covered by this warranty. This
warranty does not cover any cost or expense incurred by the
purchaser in providing substitute equipment or service
during reasonable periods of malfunction or non-use of this
product, while waiting for completion of repairs under this
warranty. Some states do not allow exclusions of incidental
or consequential damages, so the above exclusions may not
apply in all states. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights in your state, which vary from state to state.
If you wish to contact Aquility Systems, Inc., please direct
inquiries to:
Customer Service
Aquility Systems, Inc.
6949 SW 21
st
Ln.
Gainesville, FL 32607 or [e-mail]
Copyright 2016 Aquility Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.