Strain Gauges Quiz

Is it possible to make a water level indicator on Strain gauges?

Is it possible to make a water level indicator on Strain gauges?

Sure, the increasing pressure with water depth at the bottom of a water column can be be designed to cause strain that a strain gage can measure. Or they can measure the total weight of the water container.

yes but why bother, capacitive sensor is the way to go. basically, one tube larger than your center rod then shim the rod to be in the center of the tube drill wholes all over the larger tube to let the water in out, connect to a wine bridge, and away you go. 

here's a nice little DIY thing Capacitive-Fluid-Level-Sensor and BTW If you know how much your container holds you can easily calculate the weight of the water. 

1. the US contains are in gallons. convert it liters = 1 gal = 1 liter = 1Kg (3.78541L per Gal ) or about 3.785 Kg /per Gal.  

2 calibrate the sensor, get some 5-gallon pails of water (make sure your sensor is a few inches off the bottom. start empty and start pouring in the buckets. 

3 have some fun. 

doug, not really, as water is dead weight so water on the top of the tank weighs less than the bottom.  remember GRAVITY is not your friend!!!  

Interesting method, thanks I will try.

Possible, but could be very troublesome depends on your application. If you only wish to know if the water hit the desired level or not, you can mount the gauge on a material that would slightly bent (but not over-bent as gauge has its max. elongation) and put it parallel to water surface at the desired level location. The gauge resistance would be altered when water hit the level & bend the substrate.

Otherwise, you will need to use the gauge to measure the overall weight of the water, a.k.a use a load cell. You might also think using the water pressure but the difficulty is on finding the right substrate that is sensitive enough to curve the right amount when the pressure change while not breaking the strain gauge. Using a force sensitive resistor or piezoresistive film is much robust & cost effective in this case.

 sxaw_VSP  I don't know where you came up with "very troublesome depends on your application."This equipment has been used in aircraft for a few decades, 5 or 6 at least. You must have the inner and outer tubes drilled with large holes. the sensor is attached to a bridge and you're done! I have used this with water as well, it will work with any liquid.