[Cookie]

I'm looking at fitting a float valve for my 350L tank firstly for my own peace of mind, in order to prevent it overflowing when I'm filling it up, and also to save me time on going out & checking how full it is every so often.  I'm looking at something small enough so the tank fills pretty much to its maximum capacity (so an ordinary toilet ballcock won't do) and also something to which I can fit a hozelock connector on the outside of the tank. I found the following but it looks quite pricey:

https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/3-4-inch-rgo-brass-float-valve.html?fee=3&fep=3972&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkbPIpL3L1wIVCpPtCh0WYABaEAQYASABEgIt4PD_BwE

Any recommendations?

[alanwilson]

Are you filling up direct from your outside hose to the tank then di or Di to tank?

You would be best using a small vertical 12v float and 12v solenoid.

https://tameson.co.uk/solenoid-valve/2-way/plastic/other/5105nc-12vdc-solenoid-valve-2way-012inch-nylon-0p2-10bar-nbr.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgpydpNnL1wIVz7_tCh1XIQnVEAQYAyABEgJy5fD_BwE

http://cpc.farnell.com/pic-gmbh/pls-020-a-3/switch-float-u-min-130vac/dp/SW02948?CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-GEN-SHOPPING-PIC-GMBH-SW02948&gross_price=true&mckv=sUhPm3bzh_dm%7Cpcrid%7C72935509697%7Ckword%7C%7Cmatch%7C%7Cplid%7C%7Cpid%7CSW02948%7C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsbnVv9nL1wIVz53tCh0d_wDQEAQYAiABEgL-AvD_BwE

You can screw a hoselock adapter on to the solenoid and use a nut on the other side to seal against the tank.
The float switch is mounted vertically and it can all run off the leisure battery. Uses a tiny amount of power, you can also put a switch on it to turn it off if needed.

[alanwilson]

Alternatively you could use a half inch ball cock but these take up more head room in the tank. The vertical level switch can be put in through the lid meaning you get to use all of the tank effectively

[High-Tower]

You can get a range of mini float valves on eBay, https://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2056088.m4084.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC0.A0.H0.Xmini+float.TRS0&_nkw=mini+float+valve&_sacat=0

[Cookie]

Thanks both. I'll look into these.

[David Beecroft]

I fitted one of these 18 months ago, I fill up at least once a day, sometimes twice, 500litre tank. Hasn't let me down yet.
http://www.diy.com/departments/thomas-dudley-inlet-valve/571106_BQ.prd

[dazmond]

I fitted one of these 18 months ago, I fill up at least once a day, sometimes twice, 500litre tank. Hasn't let me down yet.
http://www.diy.com/departments/thomas-dudley-inlet-valve/571106_BQ.prd

how do you fit these things?i really want one for my 500L tank.

[Plankton]

Watch the flow rate on them incase they are to restrictive for your filling method.

[Cookie]

I fitted one of these 18 months ago, I fill up at least once a day, sometimes twice, 500litre tank. Hasn't let me down yet.
http://www.diy.com/departments/thomas-dudley-inlet-valve/571106_BQ.prd

how do you fit these things?i really want one for my 500L tank.

Drill the relevant size hole towards the top of your tank with a holesaw. Put the float valve inside the tank with the screw thread poking out through the hole you've just drilled & secure. Attach relevant size hozelock fitting - I'm assuming 1/2" or 3/4" should fit. This is my plan anyway....

I'm going to try it on a wheelie bin that I use for pure water storage first just to test it out! I've ordered one of the smaller float valves off eBay.

[Plankton]

A tip that might help ; when I fitted one I taped an envelope or similar to the inside below the cut this catches the crud which would otherwise need vacuumed out. For ease as I had one sitting I used a flexi pipe connector which was threaded at one end and a push fit at the other. Using some plastic plumbing pipe I had that fits inside garden hose meant I could connect the push fit to the hoselock.
In the end the only part I bought (float valve) broke! The water moving must have broke the float retaining pin.

[dazmond]

I fitted one of these 18 months ago, I fill up at least once a day, sometimes twice, 500litre tank. Hasn't let me down yet.
http://www.diy.com/departments/thomas-dudley-inlet-valve/571106_BQ.prd

how do you fit these things?i really want one for my 500L tank.

Drill the relevant size hole towards the top of your tank with a holesaw. Put the float valve inside the tank with the screw thread poking out through the hole you've just drilled & secure. Attach relevant size hozelock fitting - I'm assuming 1/2" or 3/4" should fit. This is my plan anyway....

I'm going to try it on a wheelie bin that I use for pure water storage first just to test it out! I've ordered one of the smaller float valves off eBay.

thanks mate but sod that im not drilling any holes in my tank.ill do without!