Hello my name is Joe. I am totally new to Arduino. I am looking to be pointed in the right direction to learn/figure out how to create a project I am looking to do.
I’m trying to create a leak detection system for a water softener unit I am installing. I would like to have a water detection sensor activate three motorized ball valves (low voltage), and an alarm buzzer and possibly some sort of wireless alert.
I don’t even know if this is possible but I have been searching the internet and it seems the Arduino could potentially do it.
All I can ask for is someone to guide me in the right direction. I am willing to take the time to learn the coding and configuring everything. I have spent hours already just trying to understand the hardware available and Im worried I will end up down another rabbit hole without asking for direction.
So far I “think” with an Arduino UNO R4 and Relay shield attached I could accomplish this?
I don’t understand how to attach the buzzer and water switch and possibly a reset button to reverse the state of the valves if and when a leak is detected and the issue resolved. Do you need multiple boards to attach these accessories?
Again I appreciate any direction I am not expecting anyone to do the leg work for me I just don’t want to waste another day researching to find out i hit a dead end.
Thank you in advance for any input and regardless if this works out I will most likely still end up creating with Arduino it seems like something I would enjoy building with.
Your favorite search engine, armed with the phrase "arduino water leak detector" will turn up many tutorials. Study a few first, then decide which one seems most reasonable.
I have found a bunch of them……I just haven’t seen any that incorporate the water sensor AND valves. I have only found one or the other…..guess I will just keep looking
In that case, pick one of each, get them working with your hardware, and then either work on adding the valve functionality to the sensor code, or the sensor code to the valve code.
Getting the separate programs to work gives you a way to prove that the components are working in your specific hardware setup. Confirming that your circuitry, pin choices, etc., all work.
From a coding point of view, multiple valves or relays aren't significantly different than multiple LEDs.
I understand that makes sense break down the system into individual “circuits” I’m assuming one board can do everything as long as it has the physical space for sensors switches etc attached?
Thanks Delta i appreciate the good feedback. I’m watching some basic coding videos as I type this. I have a pretty good mechanical background so the circuit building doesn’t scared me too much it is more about figuring out what I can have the processor do for me. I set up a controller for my saltwater fishtanks years ago and it had very basic coding involved and I work with building automation at my job so I have a grasp on what it is just have to learn a new language now.
It seems much more robust than a simple two wire plastic sensor but again I’m not familiar with the Arduino capabilities yet so not 100% sure yet if it will work with it.
Im planning on running these with the relay shield and attaching some sort of dual voltage power supply for the UNO and relays to control the valves
the buzzer and reset switches seem to be a dime a dozen and again its going to come down to me learning how to code to get everything working together.
The sensor and valve you are looking at will work with the microprocessor.
You will need the 12 volt power and some kind of driver electronics. Easiest but not trrribly exciting or cool would be to use relay modules.
Until you spring for hardware like that, you can assume that a pushbutton proxy for the sensor and a LED or two for the valve will allow full development of the software.
And you can do the software part without leaving your chair, check out
where you can experiment with examples code and circuits alla way up to building the entire project.
I've helped on a few tank/valve/pump inquiries. In some cases you can a get the simulation to not only react to observed conditions, but have additional code sections that will create artificial leaks and respond to the output of the code you are testing.
Can you describe or better yet draw a "flow diagram" of where water comes from, what means a leak and how three valves will be used to mitigate or correct for leaks?
So this started as a simple “add a water softener” while I’m finishing the basement. I built a small utility closet where the water main and sprinkler system mains are. I’m plumbing a standpipe into the drain lines I ran for the kitchen sink located next to this closet.
The plan is to install the water softener in some sort of low pan that I can place the leak detection sensor in. This should cover an overflow event and or a gasket blow out in the resin tank along with potentially any issues arising from the standpipe for the regeneration cycles. The 3 valves will be used as a manifold of sorts. Two valves for the supply and discharge of the softener (NO) and the third valve (NC) as a bypass to allow water to continue flowing in the house in the event of a “leak” from the above listed causes.
When the leak detection sensor senses water in the pan the two softener valves close and the bypass opens buzzer sounds and alert gets sent via wifi.
The reset button is for changing the valve positions back when I have addressed the leak issue and we are “all clear”
I hope that makes sense.
edit: thank you for the link that’s exactly what I need for testing this out.
There's a good reason that looks like I drew it with my finger. A bit of googling turned up a diagram like this.
Have you considered that the water softener system has a probability of failure, but so do all the components you are thinking about adding. It would be ironic and annoying to have ann accident caused by a failure of the safety devices.
The water softener has the most likely catastrophic failure points in my opinion. The worst thing the safety system can do is position valves in the wrong configuration? I’m not sure what you meant.
The location of the softener is why I plan on this system. I’m not sure if this question was intended to be sarcastic but I’ve never seen a dishwasher destroy a house…….
