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Tank water level sensor.

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Discussion in 'Sensors and Actuators' started by HellasTechn, Jul 13, 2017.

  1. Jul 13, 2017 #1
    HellasTechn

    HellasTechn

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    Hello friends !

    Here i am today, thinking about my new project which is a water level sensor for a tank.

    I think it would not be that hard to write a code on a picaxe for such project but what sensor should i use ?
    On the web i have seen ultrasonic sensors for arduino used as water level sensors but i am not sure how theese sensors work.
    A simple logic 0 and 1 from a sensor indicating water or no water would be enough but an analog sensor would not be bad also (to be able to chech the actual remaining percentage).

    Any ideas ?

    Thank You !
     
  2. Jul 13, 2017 #2
    kellys_eye

    kellys_eye

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    A float switch is the most common method of detecting water/no water.

    If it's quantity then you could measure the pressure at the bottom of the tank.

    Ultrasonic measurement works but that means having the sensor in a moist atmosphere and the associated problems with corrosion etc.
     
  3. Jul 13, 2017 #3
    HellasTechn

    HellasTechn

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    float switch can do the job,
    a pressure sensor is not a bad idea. Do they give analog signal based on measured pressure at the bottom of the tank ? could you suggest me one ? the tank holds about 250 US gallons (1000 liters of water.)
    About the ultrasonic , i am not sure.
     
  4. Jul 13, 2017 #4
    Minder

    Minder

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    What is the depth of the tank, a float switch is a simple device and can also be easily constructed, from copper/brass pipe or Sch 40 PVC, just requires a reed switch at the required position in the sealed tube and a circular float material around the pipe that carries a small magnet.
    M.
     
    hevans1944 and Tha fios agaibh like this.
  5. Jul 13, 2017 #5
    Alec_t

    Alec_t

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    .... and the reed switch method that Minder suggested can easily be extended to have several reed switches at different depths.
     
  6. Jul 13, 2017 #6
    kellys_eye

    kellys_eye

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    You can, of course, purchase tank level sensors dedicated to the task, many of which are used in the marine (yachting) industry to meter domestic water tank levels.
    Those operate using a float and arm assembly that rotates a variable resistor and provides a variable DC voltage for direct meter reading (suitably calibrated of course).
     
  7. Jul 13, 2017 #7
    HellasTechn

    HellasTechn

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    the depth is about 1 meter. The reed sw will have the same moisture problem as the ultrasonic sensor.
    The problem is that there is very little space inside the tank so installing a float switch does not strike me as the easyest thing to do. I think a simple pressure sensor is the easyest way to go. Just wire it up and drop it at the bottom of the tank.

    At the moment i guess i will stick with the cheapest solution... how much does a pressure swnsor cost ?
     
  8. Jul 13, 2017 #8
    HellasTechn

    HellasTechn

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    I know but it is their price that is keeping me off !
     
  9. Jul 14, 2017 #9
    Bluejets

    Bluejets

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    Last edited: Jul 14, 2017
  10. Jul 14, 2017 #10
    Minder

    Minder

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    Why would moisture be a problem in a hermetically sealed tube?
    M.
     
  11. Jul 14, 2017 #11
    KMoffett

    KMoffett

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