water level monitoring

Using Arduino Project Guidance
#1

hi

our final year project about water level monitoring for tank, and this is first time we deal with hardware .. and we have some questions
1- is there any sensor better than ultrasonic and cost-effective?
2- we want to connect this sensor with the android application, but we want the user to monitor own tank any where , so we don't won't to be connected by Bluetooth or same wi-fi .. what the hardware should we use to apply that?

3- when data sent from Arduino to firebase cloud , is the best to build application with blynk platform or android studio?
4- we think the user may have more than one tank , and each tank have sensor, so our application enable them to add more than tank to monitor.."or when first time users download the application " ..how they can scan sensor to connect to it and get specific data for each tank ?

I hope my questions are clear , thank you.

#2

have a look at 7-main-types-of-level-sensors
for simple applications I tend to use the Conductivity or Resistance type using a 5Khz signal (DC in water is very prone to cause corrosion)
to monitor the tank remotely you require an internet connection. Do you have ethernet or a local WiFi access point? for low volume trafic (few bytes/day) consider Lora

#3

#1) no
#2) ESP-8266
#3) depends on your wallet and monthly fees
#4) you can show tank1 and tank2 and tank3 on a single blynk screen
you can have multiple ESP-8266 send a value and blynk show them on one screen

#4

Can you and your friends identify what happens if the tank goes dry, or if the tank over flows? Pretty critical in deciding your monitoring system.

Paul

#5

1- is there any sensor better than ultrasonic and cost-effective?

Yes, make your own capacitive sensor following the advice in the attached article (PDF). The cheap ultrasonic sensors corrode very rapidly in a moist environment.

NV27-Measuring Water Level.pdf (520 KB)

#6

the ultrasonic that is a single sensor type, with remote wire that has a waterproof sensor, is pretty easy to use. Calibration is with a measuring tape. A single unit should be around $10-$20
this is not the two can style that are open face and more commonly used with robots and wall detection.

For someone staring out, the 'best' is the one that will offer the best chance as success, with the least amount of trial and errors.

[ edit added more data ]

here is a piezo sensor in a waterproof enclosure. These are automotive back-up sensors.
Since it is fully enclosed, the power is a bit more as the enclosure acts as part of the sensor.
mine fit perfectly into a PVC tube.

here is a post that goes over the library :
ping

waterproof sensor

800×800 89.4 KB

the cheap ones that are better used indoors and are not good with high humidity environments.

800×800 59.9 KB

#7

horace:
have a look at 7-main-types-of-level-sensors

The pressure method is notably absent from that list, and most are measuring a single point only (level switch, not level sensor).

#8

wvmarle:
The pressure method is notably absent from that list, and most are measuring a single point only (level switch, not level sensor).

It appears that link was for level sensing is not specifically for liquids.
a pressure sensor at the bottom of the tank can be extremely accurate for liquids but would not work for solids.
a weight sensor for the tank is hard to use on things like a grain silo. Some people advocate weighting the tank as a way to know the volume.
Since the OP was asking for liquids, specifically water, the pressure sensor should be on the list.

#9

They did mention float sensors, which would be pretty specific to liquids.

#10

wvmarle:
They did mention float sensors, which would be pretty specific to liquids.

You are 100% correct.
The list does say 'level' and it covers some sensors that are exclusively for liquids
The pressure sensor belongs on that list.

There have been posts on here from guys using them for cattle water tanks. the reports are they are extremely accurate and very durable. I believe they are on the higher end of costs for sensors.

#11

You could measure pressure, weigh the vessel or how about a float , piece of string, pulley and weight .

Do we get credits from your exam ? - On a more serious note you may be asked to justify your choice of sensor, And ... recommended off this forum won’t carry any weight . You have to learn from this work, whyyou nade various decisions along the way is more important than it working

#12

hammy:
You could measure pressure, weigh the vessel or how about a float , piece of string, pulley and weight .

Do we get credits from your exam ? - On a more serious note you may be asked to justify your choice of sensor, And ... recommended off this forum won’t carry any weight . You have to learn from this work, why you made various decisions along the way is more important than it working

wait, you mean that footnotes for the paper should not list the Arduino Forum as a reference ?

#13

A credit is not the point ; the point is asking someone the answer is not research, and may defeat the learning intentions

#14