Monitoring Water Level in a Tank

The size of the tank varies (height and diameter, client usually provide).  Volume calculation is not needed.  The reported results of the test is the drop of water vs time.

Yes the time interval can change from few seconds between readings to as much as 30 minutes.  The 30 minutes is the max time usually used and its 90 percent of the tests are run every 30 minutes.

I want to put a digital flow meter (not required by the test) but it helps me to verify calcs.  I am going to try my best effort to use a controller and sensor.  Float system may be questionable if someone reviews the tools used in the test and can draw comments.  If electronics used, no one can squeak.

One comment Don used: "MK can do it but he wants money".  I don't mind paying for time put in to program the system.  I put my phone number on the diagram earlier.  If you or Don wants to take a stab at it, let me know.  Regards

I was referring to my son, Nathan, when I said 'probably needs the money.'  I don't even know that to be the case, he is an engineer, he works with PLCs, just got his master's lives in Portland Ore.  I live in Chicago, so most of our contact is by phone or video.  He has two young children so I can't help but worry, even though, consciously I am aware that he is fine.  I was as much trying to twit him in case he read it as much as find him work, pardon my duplicity.  On another note his brother is soon to join Elem14 as notB_Hersey.  He feels this way he can get schematics from me without having to clean my garage in exchange.

I am treading water financially, a state to which I have grown accustomed.  Both of my kids are out of college now and into corporate life, a state of affairs over which I am elated.  I will probably calm down and put out a shingle and set rates at some point, if I don't simply go to school myself.  Right now I am giddy to have mounted this plateau.  If another engineer needs the money for practical reasons, they are free to take the job if it turns out to be a commercial thing so far as I am concerned.  The job I am working now is rehabilitating a house I own in the suburbs, which I want to trade it for a house in the exurbs so I can have more room for electronic parts and math models and tools and bikes and stuff.  But this is a task I can take up or put down pretty much at will so I could take the job as well.

What you need are precise definitions.  What would be the ideal solution?  What would be a minimal practical solution.  What solution would (the mean course is the best) Aristotle recommend?  Pardon my curiosity, is this about making sorbent socks?

Probably the next level in sophistication would be to use ultrasound to gauge tank level.  This would typically require software which has its own associated costs. Every step up in sophistication requires more time and money.  You do not want to have (one more victory such as this and we are undone) Pyrrhic victory here.  Make sure the steps you take are economically justified and incremental-ized, is my humble advice. 

Haytham

Because the clients supply the tank this makes it quite variable, and difficult to arrange.

Also if the client provides a tank that is tall, then the pressure is going to be greater ...

Flowmeters are fine if you have a reasonable flow. Their accuracy gets less as the rates drop.

So based on some of the previous results what sort of amount in 30 mins are we talking about.?

I can understand your desire to use electronics given the variance in the supplied material.

What about if you made a header tank that was used to fill the clients tank.

You attach a float switch to the 'clients' tank and at regular intervals replace the liquid in the clients tank, from your header tank.

You measure the drop in your tank and use your system to record that drop.

At some point before the test a calibration should be done.

I would suggest setting it up, draining a measured amount out, and checking the electronic recording.

You could store that and then apply the figure into the software.

Before engaging anyone to write code, the design needs to be finalised (which you have started on ).

Mark

Haytham

One of the reasons for a seperate tank is the ability to use a weighing device.

Each litre of water weighs 1 kg, so you have the ability to measure with reasonable accuracy how much water you have passed to the 'clients' tank.

50kg  http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=34&product_id=3135_0

20kg  Phidgets Inc. - 3134_0 - Micro Load Cell (0-20kg) - CZL635

Mark

D_Hersey

It seems phidgets also have many other devices for Hydroponics at reasonable prices.

I am working on a similar project, where I measure the water level in a tank and according to the level in the tank the micro controller must switch two pump on or of independently. The equipment I am using for this project is:

Arduino Uno

Ultrasonic distance sensor

Two relays

The ultrasonic distance sensor will measure the tank level, via the distance to the water level from the sensor. This data will be read from the sensor with the Arduino Uno, where the Uno will then toggle the two relays on and off.

Here is an tutorial on the ultrasonic sensor on arduino's website: Arduino - Ping

I hope this helps.

Right, MCB, you don't soak the roots all the time with hydroponics.  They typically use a porous media which they dampen periodically.  It is still incumbent on the system to aerate the water.  A full time system, where the roots are constantly sprayed upon is called aeroponic.

Anyway, I'm done.  Its been nice meeting you guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzJeovAiDKs

Likewise Don. Thank you for the input.