Hi all,
I am starting my first project in which I want to monitor the flow, temp, and pressure of water through a pipe.
I currently have a Arduino Starter kit from Sparkfun, and at the moment that is all.
My question is what further components would I require in order to measure these variables and display them on a small screen?
So far I have come across the Barometric Pressure Sensor - SCP1000 which seems to measure temp and pressure. Am I on the right track?
Thanks to you all!!
really depends on what you want really would you like pressure and temprature...?
I think you need to bee more specific in what you want to create
from what I understand is that you want a Display (lcd) that shows all sorts of info about the oil or water in a pipe.
do you want to count how much water/oil?
do you wanna control the flow/temprature?
The 3 measurements I require are:
1- Pressure
2- Flow Rate
3- Temperature
As a first step I would like to just measure these 3 properties of water flowing through a PVC pipe.
As a progression from that, and if possible, I would like the system to able to automatically adjust these properties if they fall out of specification.
I do not need a running count of the volume that has passed through the tube, just flow, for example how many litres/ min.
Hope that makes a bit more sense.
Thanks.
Problem is that most pressure sensors are for gas
Flow sensors are not cheap:-
The first questions are...
How big is the pipe?
What is the maximum pressure expected?
What is the maximum flow expected?
What sort of precision and accuracy do you require.
If you don't need high precision and accuracy, you might try...
An automotive oil pressure sender.
They have a simple variable resistance, a range up to around a 700 kPa, they are comparatively cheap, and they are very, very rugged. Calibration is a bit of a hassle though.
A water softener flowmeter.
These are usually a turbine with a small magnet.
You can get a turbine and shaft/support assembly for around $30.
Carefully glue it into a 3/4 inch PVC 'T', and use a reed switch or Hall effect switch to sense the pulses. I prefer the Hall effect sensors, much more rugged.
Run the leads out the perpendicular leg of the T, fill the leg with silicone, and then glue a cap on the leg.
Looks almost professional! Mine's been in use for several years now.