Original: Simple Water Level Indicator

http://www.circuitstoday.com/simple-water-level-idicatorFebruary - 28 - 2008

RECOVERED WATER LEVEL INDICATOR

This is another fun project. Drilling holes and running wires kept the women in the house wondering what I was up to!

Thin aluminum bare wire (hardware stores) was used as sensors. Insulation stripped from house wiring covers the wire inside the sensor tube (see photos). The wires terminate outside the tank with screw terminals spaced apart inside the tube. Computer network wire, CAT5e, connects the sensors to the monitor over my desk. This gives clear indication of the water level in the recovery tank. I use this water to fill a watering-can and water my hot peppers! The overflow was connected to another tank sitting on the ground. When we emptied this tank, we removed it and directed the water back to the basement sink. We’re getting too much water!

This project monitors condensation water. The condensation pump from the furnace/air conditioner pushes water through tubing to a 3-way valve. In the summer, the valve is set to allow water to flow into the holding tank. Winter, water is directed into a sink and down the drain.

©2013Lennie Zink

A closeup view of the pipes inside the tank shows small openings. The water enters slowly. This tank is not connected to down spouts. The short overflow line stops in mid air. It was connected to another tank.

The sensing wires exit the tube and are wrapped around the tube once at predetermined positions.

The CAT5e cable and water inlet line exit the brick wall through a weather electrical box. Inside the box is a CAT5e connector. It disconnects the line from the basement inside the box. The water hose has an inline barb terminating a few inches below.

We were amazed at how much water is taken out of the air!

The cement blocks under the tank are resting upon 2 more layers of blocks buried in the ground. I wanted this tank to be secure and not tip because of ground freeze and thaw. The tank is removed for the winter of course, but the blocks are not!

The outlet valve and bulkhead are 3/4”. This makes filling a watering-can quick, even at the low water level.

Hose barb prevents water from splashing on sensor wires

Overflow

In Sensorwires

RECOVERED WATER LEVEL INDICATOR

It’s just a rugged,plastic garbage can!Be sure to use a goodone. The rectangularoverflow can was acheap one. It looked like a pillow when full!

©2013Lennie Zink

SIMPLE WATERLEVEL INDICATOR V2

6V

AC

6V

AC

GND

F

ABCDE

Low

1/2

3/4

FULL

OVR

©2013LENNIE ZINK

SIMPLE WATERLEVEL INDICATOR V2

6VAC

6VAC

GND

F

A B C D E

Low

1/2

3/4

FULL

OVR

©2013LENNIE ZINK

Q12N4401

BE

C

R1220R

LED1LOW

Q22N4401

BE

C

LED21/2

Q32N4401

BE

C

LED33/4

Q42N4401

BE

C

LED4FULL

Q52N4401

BE

C

LED5OVER FLOW

6VAC

200mA

R2220R

R3220R

R4220R

R5220R

R622K

R722K

R822K

R922K

R1022K

R1220R

A B DC E

6.3 VAC200mA

TRANSFORMER

LOW 1/2 3/4 FULLOVERFLOW

AC AT WATER PROBES HELPSPREVENT CORROSION

(so I’m told)

F BROWNA BR/WB BLUEC BL/WD GREENE GRW ORANGE OR/W

R622K

R2220R

R3220R

R4220R

R5220R

Q12N4401

Q22N4401

Q32N4401

Q42N4401

Q52N4401

R722K

R822K

R922K

R1022K

CAT5e JACKS

F BROWN 1A BR/W 2B BLUE 3C BL/W 4

D GREEN 5E GRW 6

ORANGE 7 OR/W 8

F

RECOVERED WATER LEVEL INDICATOR

PARTSLAYOUT

BOTTOMVIEW

©2013Lennie Zink

HOBBYELECTRONICS

RECOVERED

WATER

LEVEL

MONITOR

POWERON

OFF

DRILL TEMPLATE & LABEL