Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 346 subscribers
  • Views 1436 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Doable?!

Former Member

I am just getting into the Raspberry Pi scene so forgive my ignorance - how difficult would it be to write code that could take a distance measure (maxSonar) in mm and convert it to volume (ounces remaining). I have this hairbrained idea to try and monitor fluid levels in my beer keg or hot liquor tank. Yes I am aware of flow meters - just have the sonar on hand from a friend that I can use. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-Tad

Parents

  • It appears your range finder has a 4-20mA output, in which case you will require an ADC input to measure the distance and then eventually resolve that into volumetric measurement.  The rPi does not have ADC by default, and so you would require an expansion module, or you could use a BeagleBoneBlack as an alternative as it has a few 12-bit ADC.  Also, if your application only does is a simple measurement then conversion, you may just be ok using an Arduino or a TI Launchpad.  The CC3200 would be a great platform for this particular monitoring application.


    Christever

  • in reply to xever

    Maybe the WiPy could be a good solution for you. The WiPy is a new CC3200 IoT development board which is python programmable and as they say super low power.

  • in reply to Former Member

    Thanks for the info Theo Ams. I picked up an Arduino and a neoPixel strip. instead of getting all crazy with formulas and math I decided for now that I wanted to keep it simple. I've got the distance reading correctly and setting up if/then for ranges to correlate with the 8 pixel like a gas tank meter. Eventually I would like to have that info tracked online...

Reply
  • in reply to Former Member

    Thanks for the info Theo Ams. I picked up an Arduino and a neoPixel strip. instead of getting all crazy with formulas and math I decided for now that I wanted to keep it simple. I've got the distance reading correctly and setting up if/then for ranges to correlate with the 8 pixel like a gas tank meter. Eventually I would like to have that info tracked online...

Children