You have reached your limit of 5 free stories. A story preview is shown instead.
To view more stories
(If your subscription is current,
click here to Login or Register.)
Smoke Detector Doubles As Water Detector
You can modifiy an ordinary smoke detector so that it doubles as a water detector to help prevent damage in flooded basements, well pits, laundry rooms, bathrooms, around water softeners, etc. Here's what you do: Sol-der the ends of two long pieces of insulated copper wires to the electrical contacts on the detector's
..........
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the page.
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the flip-book
Smoke Detector Doubles As Water Detector SECURITY/SAFETY Alarms 20-4-36 You can modifiy an ordinary smoke detector so that it doubles as a water detector to help prevent damage in flooded basements, well pits, laundry rooms, bathrooms, around water softeners, etc. Here's what you do: Sol-der the ends of two long pieces of insulated copper wires to the electrical contacts on the detector's "test" button. Strip a half inch of insulation off the other end of each wire and lay the ends down wherever you think water might be a problem. The alarm will go off whenever water contacts the bare wires, completing the circuit.
In my basement I run the wires down to the drain so that if the septic pump ever quits the alarm will go off as soon as water starts to come up the trap. I also use it on a well pit equipped with a submersible pump that's about a hundred yards from my house. If water ever floods the well pit it doesn't get more than 1/4 in. deep before the detector goes off. It can prevent a big mess caused by a rusted pipe fitting or a failed joint.
The modification doesn't affect the smoke detector's ability to detect fires at all. (E.M. Storch, RR 4, Mannville, Alberta, Canada T0B 2W0 ph 403 763-2214)
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
