Analog (i.e. non-on/off) water level sensors?

[ConnivingPigeon]

Hello all,

I was recently gifted a reef tank by a friend who was upgrading, so I've been voraciously consuming as much information as possible here.

I was wondering if people have luck with ultrasonic sensors to give an analog readout of the water level (i.e. not just high/low, but the relative height), or if perhaps there's another option I'm missing. Thanks!

 

[Sleepydoc]

Hello all,

I was recently gifted a reef tank by a friend who was upgrading, so I've been voraciously consuming as much information as possible here.

I was wondering if people have luck with ultrasonic sensors to give an analog readout of the water level (i.e. not just high/low, but the relative height), or if perhaps there's another option I'm missing. Thanks!

I was playing with an Arduino for making my own controller a while back and had an ultrasonic sensor to measrue water level in my ATO reservoir. It was reasonably accurate but I don’t know how well it would have held up to the humid environment.

The other option would be a pressure sensor; I haven’t seen any of those, though.

The main problem is most controllers don’t have any analog inputs

 

[MaddyP]

I’m using ultrasonic sensors on my build to monitor water level and control actuated ball valves. With the right controller/hardware this can be done quite easily with 4-20m or 0-10V analog output.

I recommend these 40-300mm sensing range from AutomationDirect:

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/sensors_-z-_encoders/ultrasonic_proximity_sensors/diffuse_300mm_sensing_range

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Two tanks ago, I built some pressure sensors using the same module that Reef Angel uses. They use trapped air in an open tube to provide an analog voltage. They worked reasonably well, but needed to be exposed to atmospheric occasionally as changes in barometric pressure would eventually cause them to drift. I don't remeber the sensor name, but can look it up if you are interested.

Adafruit sells some laser distance sensors that I planned to look at for this purpose. Well that and providing parking guidance to help when parking under our parking lifts. My DIY solution for that is a strip of blue duck tape and some upside down solo cups along with the parking camera built in to the bumper, lol.

The sensors are time of flight sensors and appear to be very accurate. Here is an example Adafruit VL53L0X Time of Flight Distance Sensor - ~30 to 1000mm

I figure those mounted above protected from splashes should be quite handy for measuring water levels.

Dennis

 

[Sleepydoc]

Two tanks ago, I built some pressure sensors using the same module that Reef Angel uses. They use trapped air in an open tube to provide an analog voltage. They worked reasonably well, but needed to be exposed to atmospheric occasionally as changes in barometric pressure would eventually cause them to drift. I don't remeber the sensor name, but can look it up if you are interested.

Adafruit sells some laser distance sensors that I planned to look at for this purpose. Well that and providing parking guidance to help when parking under our parking lifts. My DIY solution for that is a strip of blue duck tape and some upside down solo cups along with the parking camera built in to the bumper, lol.

The sensors are time of flight sensors and appear to be very accurate. Here is an example Adafruit VL53L0X Time of Flight Distance Sensor - ~30 to 1000mm

I figure those mounted above protected from splashes should be quite handy for measuring water levels.

Dennis

Not sure if the sensor you linked would work or not - it's light based, so it would depend on the water reflecting the light rather than absorbing or transmitting it. Any shield would also need to transmit the light without much attenuation. Finally, you'd have to test it out to see if it would work on a non-constant surface like rippling water.

The nice thing about ultrasonic sensors is the air-water interface makes a very good reflector for sound waves and small ripples don't affect it much. Of course the drawback is you can't shield it from the moisture with a lens the way you could an optical sensor.

 

[fragit]

This is what I use, all analogue.

SpectraPure - Innovators in Water Technology

SpectraPure, Inc. is an Industry Standard in the Water Purification world. From Drinking Water to Aquarium Systems, you don't just want pure water, you want the PUREST Water! Get it with SpectraPure!

spectrapure.com

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Not sure if the sensor you linked would work or not - it's light based, so it would depend on the water reflecting the light rather than absorbing or transmitting it. Any shield would also need to transmit the light without much attenuation. Finally, you'd have to test it out to see if it would work on a non-constant surface like rippling water.

The nice thing about ultrasonic sensors is the air-water interface makes a very good reflector for sound waves and small ripples don't affect it much. Of course the drawback is you can't shield it from the moisture with a lens the way you could an optical sensor.

Ya, after I posted the link I was reading about the difference in sensitivity between a white object and a grey object and it made wonder on how reflective water really is. Typically when there is a reflection (in water) it is caused by a dark bottom and depth. I plan on getting some anyway for the garage, so we can see how they work for water then.

Dennis

 

[threebuoys]

how about an electronic fuel gauge for a boat or even automobile? 12Vdc, , fairly small, fairly cheap.

 

[Sleepydoc]

how about an electronic fuel gauge for a boat or even automobile? 12Vdc, , fairly small, fairly cheap.

That might or might not work - it’s likely designed to work in gasoline, not in water and the water may cause corrosion issues.

 

[threebuoys]

Yeah, stainless steel does rust unless it is super high grade. Even then...not so sure.

But this looks like what your thinking about.

 

[jnvd3b]

Hello all,

I was recently gifted a reef tank by a friend who was upgrading, so I've been voraciously consuming as much information as possible here.

I was wondering if people have luck with ultrasonic sensors to give an analog readout of the water level (i.e. not just high/low, but the relative height), or if perhaps there's another option I'm missing. Thanks!

what are you trying to measure? ATO reservoir water level? Sump level? Something else?

 

[ConnivingPigeon]

what are you trying to measure? ATO reservoir water level? Sump level? Something else?

I'd ideally like to measure ATO level and the level of my RO/DI system. I'd still keep a final (bottom of ATO, top of RO/DI resevoir) regular level sensor for security, though