Fail-Proof Bin Full Alarm

Fail-Proof Bin Full Alarm CROP STORAGE Accessories 20-2-11 Harvest time is a lot less stressful for Ben Dyck since he came up with his failureproof"bin full" alarm that sets off a loud horn before the level of grain in a bin reaches the top. Key to success of the Carman, Manitoba farmer's alarm is the use of four liquid mercury switches. "I drilled four holes in an 8-in. long piece of 1 1/8-in. broom handle. The holes are spaced 1 1/2 in. apart and are spaced evenly around the circumference of the wooden dowel. One mercury switch is slipped into each hole so each switch points a different direction." Dyck wired the four switches together in parallel and then inserted the dowel into a steel pipe. "When the pipe hangs vertically from the auger spout, all four mercury switches are open and there's one switch pointing in each direction. When the grain pushes the dowel up 5? in any direction, one of the switches will close and set off the alarm." The alarm is wired to a loud horn and the tractor's 12-volt system. When the alarm goes off, Dyck has plenty of time to get back and shut off the auger. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ben Dyck, Box 1021, Carman, Manitoba R0G 0J0 Canada.

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