Level indicator for water/RODI reservoir?

[mcarroll]

I'm no good at keeping track of how many buckets I take out of my 44-gallon Brute reservoir and I'm tired of being surprised I'm out of water.

Anyone have a system or gadget (something!) they use to keep an eye on their levels? I could hook up an extra ATO float and connect the relay up to a lamp or something....but hoping for something more clever/easier/cheaper/unpowered. Hoping not to make any penetrations in the sides or bottom of the container.

Opening the lid isn't so easy in my case, so some kind of external indicator is what I'm looking for.


Ideas, or are we all surprised when we're out of water???


-Matt

 

[mcarroll]

Well....as far as I've figured so far, I think I have two sets of options.

One set requires spending some money on a sensor(+associated setup) of some kind. Probably similar in cost to most ATO setups. $40+ (a lot "plus" if you want to get fancy )

The other set involves using a simple standpipe. There are lots of ways to use one as an indicator, I just have to evaluate and pick one. Costs shouldn't be more than a bulkhead or two and a few more dollars in miscellaneous parts....might not even need a bulkhead though. Not expensive in any case.

Not in too big a hurry to put this together, so I plan to ruminate a bit more on ideas and post updates here with any good ones. ray2:

Anyone have specific ideas that could work?

-Matt

 

[mcarroll]

Almost forgot the first one!

What about knocking on the side of the container?

Supposedly there would be a different vibration due to presence (or lack) of water. (which I do not doubt)....but it sounds the same from top to bottom knocking on a half-full Brute container with my knuckles though. Ideas on how to practically use this method?

-Matt

 

[Bad Company]

Two holes on side, one near top, one near bottom, connect bulkhead fittings with 1/2" clear tubing. Presto, water level in tubing equals water level in tank.

 

[boehm742]

This is how I did my water level gauge on my brute rodi water storage.

 

[AZDesertRat]

A 1/2" bulkhead, a 1/2" thread x 1/2" barbed elbow and some 1/2" clear vinyl tubing or a 1/2" flexible tank adapter, commonly called a Uniseal, http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=PF-RK5012
a 1/2" 90 barbed elbow and some 1/2" clear vinyl tubing makes a great sight glass. You don't have to reconnect it on top if you want to save money, just fasten it to the side with a plastic counduit clamp or tape it to the barrel.

Uniseals work very good with curved sides like a Brute trashcan, better than bulkeads since they conform where bulkheads are sedigned for flat surfaces with no curvature, plus they are cheaper.

 

[mcarroll]

Great ideas! :thumb:

Anyone else have an analog/manual way to monitor their reservoir level?

-Matt

 

[mcarroll]

Tank Gauge | Rain Harvesting

Looks like these go for $20-$30. Completely analog....float on a string connected to the gauge/spring I'd guess.

They also have a digital-wireless version that also gives you a digital readout to use up to 100 meters away for around $80-$90.

Not buying one yet, but going to keep this in mind.

-Matt