Touchless Water Level Control... any interest?

[Bill and Elaine]

I wonder if the light senser will get dirty from salt spray or creep and malfunction??

 

[Reef55]

I wonder if the light senser will get dirty from salt spray or creep and malfunction??

Light sensor can be 20cm away from the water if you are worried. In my install, the sensors will be at the top of a thin tube; low chance of a bubble coming up that tube, bursting, and sending spray up more than a few cm's.

Also, if the light emitter, light receiver, or both get blocked, the system would register that as water too low, and sound the alarm. The system expects to always receive a signal. If it doesn't, then under normal circumstances the water has dropped too low, but it could mean something covering the sensor. If that did happen, a quick wipe will fix it.

 

[Bill and Elaine]

ASWOME.......you have all your bases covered....... like I said...I'm in

 

[110oceanic]

I'm still in.
keeps sounding better and better with each post

 

[denvig]

Do you intend to do a proto type first?

 

[Reef55]

Dennis,
Yes, mine will be the test. I am not releasing this on the public without knowing it will work first
I just wanted to see if there was enough interest for me to actually design a circuitboard. If no one else wanted one, I would just breadboard the whole thing.

Mark

 

[lizzardking]

mmmm bread

 

[PenMan]

Let me know what you need for power supplies. Interested also.

 

[mloebl]

I'm interested as well.

-Mike

 

[Reef55]

Looks like I need to work on the circuitboard...

 

[maurod]

Looks like I need to work on the circuitboard...

Can you call me about where you are getting these done? I am curious as to how to make some circuits for myself.
M.

 

[Lamin8or]

I may be interested also!

 

[rireefguy]

Definitely interested in one.

 

[merk1_99]

I'm interested as well...

 

[Reef55]

Ok, I finished the design of the circuitboard today, and placed an order so I can test it. I'll let everyone know how it turns out

Mark

 

[Bill and Elaine]

Excellent Smithers...........

 

[pantinor]

Is this going to work by simply pointing a light/laser beam at the point where the minimum water level should be? Is so, I think I am in! Does it require darkness? I have my float switch in the lighted sump area.

 

[Reef55]

Pantinor, it points light directly down at the water, and picks up the reflection. You can put the emitter and sensor in a small pvc pipe tube it keep it shielded from any stray light. I still need to test if that is going to be a requirement or just an extra precaution.

Mark

 

[stevenp]

Sign me up too! Can't wait to hear the results of the test!

Steve

 

[travester]

Interference

If you guys have trouble with interference, a little '555 chip and passive high pass filter will probably solve all of your problems. Just get the speed over 1kHz and you should be in the clear.

How does this system judge distance down the PVC tube if it is looking straight down at a relatively flat, reflective surface?