External sensors for holding tank

[ottow]

I plumbed it in between the pump flush outlet and the bowl on my Jabsco, just needed a couple of cheap adapters. That hose its actually the same diameter as a typical garden hose, so no issues at all.
And just to be 100% clear; I am not using this to measure the volume discharged out of the heads. I am using it to measure how much water I pump IN to the heads.
I expect it would end horribly if used to measure the discharge volume...

 

[Gazza]

Thanks for the clarification - I must admit I was a little concerned about putting the meter onto the discharge pipe (which was my original thought), but a measure of the amount of water being pumped into the heads will give some indication as to volume. I now need to work out the capacity of our holding tank, which is, of course, not a nice easy rectangle or square, but triangular in shape …………..

Once again, thanks for the info - I'll definitely be fitting one.

 

[ottow]

Suggest you plumb in the meter, and then pump your tank full with water. That will give you a accurate enough value for the tank volume.

And, as a picture is always useful, here is what it looks like:
http://guldburken.gote.org/maxi999/2019-02-24_12h42_10.png
(Some day I'll move the meter so it is easier to read)

 

[Gazza]

Thanks - why didn't I think of that...……………………. I was too busy thinking about complex calculations of measuring the capacity of a triangular tank!

 

[tudorsailor]

Having played with these sensors, I realise that for most people a simple handheld device is all that is required.

The sensor works off a 9v battery. I have put it in a box with a momentary on-off switch so the battery will last for ages.
Before anyone comments, I have deliberately put a bright light behind the test tank to show the water level. This is for demonstration purposes and not something that everyone can do in reality. It works through 10mm thick HDPE but not through metal

So for a fiver its easy to check the level without bright lights or percussion techniques

TudorSailor

 

[Plum]

Having played with these sensors, I realise that for most people a simple handheld device is all that is required.

The sensor works off a 9v battery. I have put it in a box with a momentary on-off switch so the battery will last for ages.
Before anyone comments, I have deliberately put a bright light behind the test tank to show the water level. This is for demonstration purposes and not something that everyone can do in reality. It works through 10mm thick HDPE but not through metal

So for a fiver its easy to check the level without bright lights or percussion techniques

TudorSailor

Based on your recommendation of that sensor, the one I ordered came today and I have been testing mine on the garden water butt! Brilliant. Thank you. I have attached the sensor and switch to the battery so I have one single assembly to slide up and down the tank wall. I was going to fit a mini buzzer too but the little blue LED light on the sensor is perfectly adequate.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[tudorsailor]

Based on your recommendation of that sensor, the one I ordered came today and I have been testing mine on the garden water butt! Brilliant. Thank you. I have attached the sensor and switch to the battery so I have one single assembly to slide up and down the tank wall. I was going to fit a mini buzzer too but the little blue LED light on the sensor is perfectly adequate.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I am glad that you like the sensor.

I should point out that the eBay site's instructions for adjusting sensitivity are incorrect. It says that there is a screw. I destroyed a sensor in order to find out that there is a tiny micro switch. The seller sent me up to date instructions for adjustment as follows

After installation, depending on the thickness of the container, if you need to adjust the detection sensitivity of the sensor, you can open the QC label, fix the sensor on the container or pipe to be tested, adjust the liquid level to the position that needs to be sensed, and then press and hold the small circle. Press the button inside the hole for about 3 seconds until the blue status indicator flashes. At this time, release the button. After the liquid level rises to the position, it can be sensed.

Should you wish to have a buzzer, its not so straight forward. The 3rd wire from the sensor is high when the blue light is not lit. So you need to invert the signal with a logic not gate using a transistor. Alternatively, you can buy this sensor and choose the version with a NPN transistor. This is what I have used for my hard wired system

TudorSailor

 

[Graham_Wright]

I like the idea of the flow meter - is there an issue with the diameter of the heads pipes and the relatively small fitting of the meter; or is it just plumbed in with some fittings to take up the difference? We have a metal tank with no access hatch and this idea seems ideal. Thanks.

Quote;- Is only to be used for measure flow rates of clean, clear water up to a maximum temperature of 40 °C

 

[Plum]

Should you wish to have a buzzer, its not so straight forward. The 3rd wire from the sensor is high when the blue light is not lit. So you need to invert the signal with a logic not gate using a transistor. Alternatively, you can buy this sensor and choose the version with a NPN transistor. This is what I have used for my hard wired system

TudorSailor

On mine, I just connected a buzzer between the switched positive and the yellow signal wire of the sensor https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Non-cont...&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&redirect=mobile . When the LED illuminated the buzzer sounded.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[tudorsailor]

On mine, I just connected a buzzer between the switched positive and the yellow signal wire of the sensor https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Non-cont...&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&redirect=mobile . When the LED illuminated the buzzer sounded.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Interesting. I wish I had bought that exact one. It would have saved a lot of learning about logic not gate. Yours subtlety says switch#E and so it not identical to the one I bought.!
Thanks

TudorSailor