I'm looking at an application where need to use a pressure sensor to measure depth of water, in a well, I'm planning to put the sensor in the air connected via submerged air-containing pipe, as this simplifies corrosion; bio-fouling etc. I see a number of similar questions, but nobody seems to have offered a solution.
Its a very cost-sensitive situation as part of the Frugal-IoT project.
An obvious choice would be the Boise BM280 etc series, as these are available for just $2 however they are specified only for 125kPa, while 5meters of water will be 150kPa and 10 meters 200kPA. I wonder if anyone has used these sensors outside their rated operational range.
If you are using an absolute pressure sensor you need to account for the air pressure at your location which effectively deducts about 100 kPa from your range.
Operating out of scale will give you readings that are unreliable or non-sensical, plus of course, you risk damaging the sensor element.
When costing a system don't forget the cost of the cable, tubing etc.. If you are running a bubbler then there's the cost of the pump etc.. Saving money by omitting the pump means that you'll get spurious results as gasses dissolve or are liberated from the water.
Sure all good points but most don't apply in my case (though might in other similar problems).
i.e. - I've accounted for atmospheric pressure in the need for 150-200kPa. The sensor is rated for overpressure to 2000kPa so no damage likely. The setup is purely passive so the other costs are negligible (rigid piece of poly with cap on, and the well empties regularly so don't have to account for gases dissolving).
My question is looking for practical experience - something rated for 20-125kPa may, or may not give reasonable (correctable) results up to 150kPa or even 200kPa.