Author Topic: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?  (Read 28778 times)

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Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #25 on: May 12, 2013, 11:07:59 am »
Ir emitter and IR sensor work great and is non contact as well.
Distance from IR emitter reflection from surface gives you an analog voltage output.
I use the system on large aquariums exposed to salt and other corrosives and it works well.
If the distance is far you can use a low power 5mw laser with the beam out of focus so it illuminates a larger area.
Didn't think of this solution... pretty good and simple.But in order for this method to work he should install many recievers and emiters.
 

Offline VEGETATopic starter

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #26 on: May 12, 2013, 11:16:41 am »
putting the transistors isn't gonna be enough for me, I want to determine the exact level like 55% or so, not just a simple indicator.

about that ultrasonic module, will it be enough to measure up to 1m? I use PIC microcontroller so it's not necessary to use Arduino for it right?

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #27 on: May 12, 2013, 11:37:33 am »
putting the transistors isn't gonna be enough for me, I want to determine the exact level like 55% or so, not just a simple indicator.

about that ultrasonic module, will it be enough to measure up to 1m? I use PIC microcontroller so it's not necessary to use Arduino for it right?
no but there are more projects as far as i know with arduino than any other microcotroller ... i think that is because the arduino community is a lot bigger , the actual product it self is more user friendly and you can find the platform that suits your needs :P
Anyway if you are remotely thinking of using an arduino for this project take a look at this :
http://www.open-electronics.org/water-tank-level-display-with-arduino/
 

Offline VEGETATopic starter

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #28 on: May 12, 2013, 11:44:25 am »
I found this sensor: http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/URM37_V3.2_Ultrasonic_Sensor_%28SKU:SEN0001%29

it's not that much pricy but it's control seems a bit harder than usual. Also, it will be harder to deal with using PIC.

the reason I wanna use PIC here is that I want the product to be as cheap as possible. Arduino Uno will cost about 25$ where I can buy PIC16F877A with about 5$ or less.

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #29 on: May 12, 2013, 11:58:03 am »
I found this sensor: http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/URM37_V3.2_Ultrasonic_Sensor_%28SKU:SEN0001%29

it's not that much pricy but it's control seems a bit harder than usual. Also, it will be harder to deal with using PIC.

the reason I wanna use PIC here is that I want the product to be as cheap as possible. Arduino Uno will cost about 25$ where I can buy PIC16F877A with about 5$ or less.
You got that wrong !!!You DONT need to buy an official arduino UNO for 25 usd!!! Thats because it is open source hardware so you can buy any arduino model for more less .

I got my funduino (also the producer give them custom names) mega 2560 pretty cheap from ebay.And my ultrasonic sensor for just 2 or 3 bucks
Take a look at this cheap arduino
:The original arduino UNO r3 only for 11 usd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Latest-Version-Original-Arduino-Uno-R3-MEGA328P-ATMEGA16U2-USB-Cable-/171038981716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d2b7be54
And a cheap ultrasonic sensor only for 2 usd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-Ultrasonic-Module-HC-SR04-Distance-Measuring-Transducer-Sensor-for-Arduino-/261009210866?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc55c7df2
I got the excact same sensor but i got this "arduino"
:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Funduino-Mega-2560-ATmega2560-16AU-Board-Arduino-compatible-Free-USB-Cable-/251143019741?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a794a5cdd
And if you are looking for an extremely cheap solution think about this :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pro-Mini-atmega328-5V-16M-Replace-ATmega128-Arduino-Compatible-Nano-/130839929399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e76aae237
Smaller memory but pretty much same specs
These are all the versions and you can compere them to see what is the best match for you
http://arduino.cc/en/main/boards
 

Offline VEGETATopic starter

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #30 on: May 12, 2013, 12:18:10 pm »
I prefer not to do all these, as they aren't available in my country.

Is there a good way to deal with that sensor in PIC?

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #31 on: May 12, 2013, 12:26:49 pm »
I prefer not to do all these, as they aren't available in my country.

Is there a good way to deal with that sensor in PIC?
I have no experience on PIC microcontrollers but if you chose to go with Atmel ones i could help you with some basic things.
 

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #32 on: May 12, 2013, 12:28:47 pm »
I prefer not to do all these, as they aren't available in my country.

Is there a good way to deal with that sensor in PIC?
You can also find stuff that ARE available in your country ... where do you live???
Also you could make your own arduino with parts ordered from tayda (VERY CHEAP this site has saved my life and it has cheap shipping fees for Greece at least)
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Standalone
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/
 

Offline ptricks

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #33 on: May 12, 2013, 04:46:06 pm »
putting the transistors isn't gonna be enough for me, I want to determine the exact level like 55% or so, not just a simple indicator.

The IR method is extremely accurate it can measure distance to 1mm accuracy. Think of it like placing a photocell in a box with a light and then shrinking the size of the box, the intensity of the light changes  as the size of the box changes , changing the resistance of the photocell, on a cheap DAC you can get a 0-4096 value range.

I found ultrasound a bad choice for water measurement  because water is usually contained in something that bounces the sound around screwing up the results, careful placement was needed.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2013, 04:47:40 pm by ptricks »
 

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #34 on: May 12, 2013, 07:12:51 pm »
But whats the electronics part of this method ???
 

Offline mianchen

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Re: Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #35 on: May 12, 2013, 08:30:24 pm »
Quote
Take a look at this cheap arduino
:The original arduino UNO r3 only for 11 usd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Latest-Version-Original-Arduino-Uno-R3-MEGA328P-ATMEGA16U2-USB-Cable-/171038981716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d2b7be54

This is not a genuine original Arduino. Almost none of them are genuine if you buy from China. Do they work? Of course.

Sent from Mars

 

Offline ddavidebor

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #36 on: May 12, 2013, 09:05:52 pm »
almost ANY arduino on ebay that is send to you without arduino sticker and little case is original.
David - Professional Engineer - Medical Devices and Tablet Computers at Smartbox AT
Side businesses: Altium Industry Expert writer, http://fermium.ltd.uk (Scientific Equiment), http://chinesecleavers.co.uk (Cutlery),
 

Offline VEGETATopic starter

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #37 on: May 12, 2013, 11:53:21 pm »
"ptricks"

OK, what sensor to buy for this IR method?

Offline glatocha

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #38 on: May 13, 2013, 03:23:16 am »
You could use a pressure sensor.
I may be wrong but ...... would it be accurate?

Depends on the sensor. But the pressure based level monitoring is widely use in the industry. You can even use it for safety purpose application. We monitor emergency cooling water tank with it and it is SIL4 safety category. So the method is accurate. You chose the sensor range and accuracy. Remember 1 bar per 1 meter.
 

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #39 on: May 13, 2013, 12:15:35 pm »
Quote
Take a look at this cheap arduino
:The original arduino UNO r3 only for 11 usd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Latest-Version-Original-Arduino-Uno-R3-MEGA328P-ATMEGA16U2-USB-Cable-/171038981716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d2b7be54

This is not a genuine original Arduino. Almost none of them are genuine if you buy from China. Do they work? Of course.

Sent from Mars
No this IS the genuine original Arduino because of its logo . Mine is not so instead of Arduino it just sais Funduino and then Mega ... This one has the Official Arduino mark and if it is not the original one Arduino have the right to sue them so i think it is .(sr if i was confusing)
 

Offline ChrisGreece52

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #40 on: May 13, 2013, 12:18:54 pm »
"ptricks"

OK, what sensor to buy for this IR method?
The best thing i found was this
http://www.circuitstoday.com/ir-level-detector
but it is a bit confusing and requires many parts!!!
 

Offline nuhamind2

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Re: Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #41 on: May 13, 2013, 03:17:26 pm »
Quote
Take a look at this cheap arduino
:The original arduino UNO r3 only for 11 usd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Latest-Version-Original-Arduino-Uno-R3-MEGA328P-ATMEGA16U2-USB-Cable-/171038981716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d2b7be54

This is not a genuine original Arduino. Almost none of them are genuine if you buy from China. Do they work? Of course.

Sent from Mars
No this IS the genuine original Arduino because of its logo . Mine is not so instead of Arduino it just sais Funduino and then Mega ... This one has the Official Arduino mark and if it is not the original one Arduino have the right to sue them so i think it is .(sr if i was confusing)
They are not original.
 

Online kripton2035

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #42 on: May 13, 2013, 03:25:06 pm »
"ptricks"

OK, what sensor to buy for this IR method?
The best thing i found was this
http://www.circuitstoday.com/ir-level-detector
but it is a bit confusing and requires many parts!!!
look at the comments at the bottom : it doesnt seems to work !
 

Offline G7PSK

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #43 on: May 13, 2013, 03:29:55 pm »
How about a load sensor underneath the tank no water involved other than that in the tank, so no need for water tightness one liter of water weighs one KG so a direct weight read out tells you how much water is in the tank. Slip a strain gauge under neath one end, no need to bother with the pipes as the movement is so small they will flex sufficiently.
 

Offline ddavidebor

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water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #44 on: May 13, 2013, 03:35:59 pm »
Quote
Take a look at this cheap arduino
:The original arduino UNO r3 only for 11 usd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Latest-Version-Original-Arduino-Uno-R3-MEGA328P-ATMEGA16U2-USB-Cable-/171038981716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d2b7be54

This is not a genuine original Arduino. Almost none of them are genuine if you buy from China. Do they work? Of course.

Sent from Mars
No this IS the genuine original Arduino because of its logo . Mine is not so instead of Arduino it just sais Funduino and then Mega ... This one has the Official Arduino mark and if it is not the original one Arduino have the right to sue them so i think it is .(sr if i was confusing)

Bullshit , arduino chinese clone are identical.
David - Professional Engineer - Medical Devices and Tablet Computers at Smartbox AT
Side businesses: Altium Industry Expert writer, http://fermium.ltd.uk (Scientific Equiment), http://chinesecleavers.co.uk (Cutlery),
 

Offline DrGeoff

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #45 on: May 14, 2013, 03:40:28 am »
Ultrasonic works fine, and is cheap. I have one in a 3m water tank. It's a sealed ultrasonic transducer like this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Waterprof-Ultrasonic-Distance-Measuring-Detector-Module-/130556433296?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item1e65c51390
Was it really supposed to do that?
 

Offline lesaid

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #46 on: May 14, 2013, 11:02:36 pm »
I'm setting up something similar to measure levels in a water butt. I'm measuring a combination of the capacitance between partially covered wires and the water, and the resistance of the water between two wires - controlling the frequency of an RC oscillator with that setup instead of a capacitor. The capacitance is between the conductors and the water with the insulation as the dialectric - the water itself is not the dialetric.

The oscillator output is dumped into a capacitor, and I monitor remotely the current drawn. Still calibrating but seems to work well and uses cheap components. My interest is in cutting out a pump when the butt level falls too low, but I'm pretty sure it could be adjusted to give a %full measurement.
 

Offline ptricks

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #47 on: May 18, 2013, 01:13:45 am »
"ptricks"

OK, what sensor to buy for this IR method?

Sensor depends on how big an area you need to cover. One of the most effective methods I used was to place an IR LED in a small tube just slightly longer than the diode itself. In a second small tube place a photo transistor. The reason for the tubes is to prevent the light from the IR source registering on the sensor because the two are next to each other.

The IR source leaves the tube, reflects off the liquid surface and returns to the transistor where it allows a current depending on how strong the IR. You could also use a CDS photocell for the sensor and a visible light source like a white led. The closer the water, the more light returned and the resistance will change on the photocell.

Circuits for these are everywhere, you are basically just taking an IR proximity sensor and extending the range.
 

Offline cthree

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Re: water tank level measurement... what sensor to use?
« Reply #48 on: May 24, 2013, 04:00:44 am »
This article gives a good overview of many fluid level measurement options. http://www.sensorsmag.com/sensors/leak-level/a-dozen-ways-measure-fluid-level-and-how-they-work-1067
 


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