Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff

River water level

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B J:

WATER HEIGHT ?   ---   Looking at using an ultrasonic system  (WINGONEER DC 5V Waterproof Ultrasonic Distance Sensor system  ) and mounting the sensor on a post overlooking the river.  I will use the waterproof sensor.  Take the echo return time signal and use it to start and stop a counter.  (Digiten 4 digit LED counter panel meter.  )   Looking at the LTC6900 to create about a 5.6 KC  time base for measuring the distance in feet.  ---   A couple questions:  Can I extend the cable between the control module and the sensor to 250 feet?  If so can I use multi conductor cable, or would the sensor need to have coax?  What kind of stability is reasonable to expect using these parts and overall method?     Any thoughts and/or other ideas?  How about a better way?    Comments ?  –  Thanks

NivagSwerdna:
 :box:I've been considering measuring the water level in a tank and thinking about a similar approach... I was thinking about putting the sensor at a top of a bit of pipe, vented at the top, so that the sensor is only measuring inside the pipe.
I was going to use either RFM69W or WiFi to get the readings back.

How often do you want to take readings?

PS
If wired maybe RS485?  I am not familiar with 4-20mA but it is possible that there might be an off the shelf solution in that arena?

B J:
Thanks for the come back.  I was going to use wireless, but the water is over a high bank and would be rough to get line of site for low power RF.  If I can put the sensor on 250 feet of wire, great.  Also if that doesn't work, I will put the controller down at the river and just send the timing pulse back up the hill.  I don't think getting a wire from the river to the house will be to bad.      ( I know, but sometimes old tech is still the best.  )

jmelson:

--- Quote from: B J on May 29, 2019, 05:25:02 pm ---Can I extend the cable between the control module and the sensor to 250 feet?

--- End quote ---
Without any other considerations, if you have lightning strike within 1000 feet, it will likely damage the equipment at both ends of the cable.  Lightning produces an intense electromagnetic wave, and especially any long wires parallel to the lightning bolt will pick up hundreds of Volts.  I've had lots of stuff blown out around here such as Ethernet interfaces and various computer and home alarm system parts, all related to long runs of wire.

So, just a suggestion to think about.

Jon

soldar:

--- Quote from: B J on May 29, 2019, 05:25:02 pm ---  Comments ?  –  Thanks
--- End quote ---


What range are you trying to measure?  I doubt that sensor would work well in the open and against water. Maybe if you build a solid well and have a flat floating surface which would reflect good echo.

Depending on the range and location there may be other solutions.What are you trying to control with this?

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