So i'm a total noob and have not touched anything similar to Arduino before, but I am an ICT professional and had a background in electronics so I should be able to navigate something.
Basically i need some guidance re a project concept i have been thinking on for the last couple of weeks.
I have a 55 gallon aquarium with a sump (this an external water chamber used as a filter/refugium), i need to be able to switch 2 individual pumps on or off depending on a high/low water level input to the controller. When the water gets to level X (high) switch off pump 2 and on pump 1, when level y (low) is reached switch of pump 1 and on pump 2.
I already managed to trace relay boards, what i haven't managed to find is what can be used as a water level sensor. If something exists in the first place. These sensors should be either submersible or can be attached to the glass (externally) with a very low profile.
So do you think this id doable? Any guidance would be very very appreciated.
That's only 8", which is why I requested the dimensions.
You could do it with two of these : (one for Upper level detect and one for lower level detect. )
I have used the Lm1830 chip before and it works well. It is basically an oscilator that is damped by the water (liquid) which changes the oscillator frequency. The probe consists of two conductors, one attached to the tank and the other attached to the probe.
I have used a probe that had both conducctors on either side of a tube or strip of plastic so the water touches both of them
when it rises. (I tested it by dipping it into a glass of water and it turned on)
because of the metal parts. You can use choose the wire material for the LM1830 so that allows you to use something that will not contaminate the water.
As stated noob here, i have probably not considered many things lol
well that sounds like a good sensor for my requirements, something like input 1 <= x pump 1 on, pump 2 off, input 1 >=y pump 1 off, pump 2 on.
That said it's kinda expensive for a sensor only, considering if i put that cost additional into a pump i can have one that will auto switch off depending on water lvl.
Let say i go with this sensor, what else do i need, apart a relay module that is.
That said it's kinda expensive for a sensor only, considering if i put that cost additional into a pump i can have one that will auto switch off depending on water lvl.
I have no idea what you are talking about . I linked three different sensors and there was no pricing for any of them at my links
Let say i go with this sensor,
You can't be talking about the Sparkfun 8" sensor because you already stated your zone length is 11 to 12"
Again, what sensor ? How about using part numbers . Can you do that ?
Also, if you are going to talk about relays you need to provide load specifications for the pumps (AC or DC ?) (Voltage?, Current or Wattage ?)
That's only 8", which is why I requested the dimensions.
You could do it with two of these : (one for Upper level detect and one for lower level detect. )
I have used the Lm1830 chip before and it works well. It is basically an oscilator that is damped by the water (liquid) which changes the oscillator frequency. The probe consists of two conductors, one attached to the tank and the other attached to the probe.
I have used a probe that had both conducctors on either side of a tube or strip of plastic so the water touches both of them
when it rises. (I tested it by dipping it into a glass of water and it turned on)
because of the metal parts. You can use choose the wire material for the LM1830 so that allows you to use something that will not contaminate the water.
that 1830 sounds good, as long as i can gt something in an arduino rady packag, at this point i want an easy solution.
sorry but i just spilled a half pint of bear on ma keyboard, some keys not working lol.
That said it's kinda expensive for a sensor only, considering if i put that cost additional into a pump i can have one that will auto switch off depending on water lvl.
I have no idea what you are talking about . I linked three different sensors and there was no pricing for any of them at my links
Let say i go with this sensor,
You can't be talking about the Sparkfun 8" sensor because you already stated your zone length is 11 to 12"
Again, what sensor ? How about using part numbers . Can you do that ?
Also, if you are going to talk about relays you need to provide load specifications for the pumps (AC or DC ?) (Voltage?, Current or Wattage ?)
A "simple" solution would be to use a stationary buoy (confined to just one spot, like the corner of the tank) and a distance sensor. Take a reading every so many minutes or x interval and if the distance between the sensor and buoy increases, then the water level is going down. When the distance is at a certain point, turn on the corresponding pump.
I have used in the past what is called a "float" switch. It's a reed (magnetic) switch, with a styrofoam/plastic/something "floatie" with embedded magnet, that will trigger the switch when the floaty falls down or rises up (depending on configuration of the switch if it's 'NC' or "NO'. Normally Closed, or Normally Open.)
You can track the status for both switches installed at different elevations. This is how you'll know what the switch situation is like.
Bonus:
If the bottom switch says "not triggered" and the top switch is triggered, you know there's some sort of fatal error in your system.
The way to install a switch like this, is to wire it from the arduino pin to gnd. Set the arduino pin to "input" and digitalWrite(pin,HIGH). This configures the internal ~20K pull-up resistor. so it will read HIGH so long as the switch is "open" and it will be pulled to low as long as the switch is connected. Make sure to never configure that pin to an output, or you'll kill it by shorting it to ground.
These switches are ~$1-2 each, so the cost is tiny.
1 in number solenoid valve that will need to be triggered when 1 of the pumps is switched off (So not to siphon the pipe dry)
This depends on how long the pipe/hose is and how much air the pump can pump before damage.
If it is only a short distance, this shouldn't be a problem.
Also, a suggestion:
Put the pump closer to the water...... Or: Shorten the distance from the water to the pump input.
raschemmel:
Status lights would be a nice touch.(visable from across the room)
Nice but not a must at this stage.
lost_and_confused:
Ok, the solenoid.....
1 in number solenoid valve that will need to be triggered when 1 of the pumps is switched off (So not to siphon the pipe dry)
This depends on how long the pipe/hose is and how much air the pump can pump before damage.
If it is only a short distance, this shouldn't be a problem.
Also, a suggestion:
Put the pump closer to the water...... Or: Shorten the distance from the water to the pump input.
Most pumps don't allow back flow of water.
Im not mostly bothered by pump damage, but by pump restart. If i let water siphon out of the pump i would have to manually prime after each restart. And i cannot relocate pump any closer than already the case
And its not back flow, but siphon by gravity from 1.5m up coming from the main tank into the sump below. I emptied about a gallon water on the floor last week due to a national power shortage.
