Being on a well for water, I'd like a convenient way to monitor water pressure.
I've search the forums, and theres no resolution thus far.
Has anyone come up w a smart pressure sensor?
I see the Farbaro Smart Implant (z-wave), but its not available in the US.
The 0-10v analog input would work w a 0.5-4.5v, 0-100psi pressure transducer nicely. Is there another device that has analog capability? TIA.
It's Fibaro, not Farbaro, and you can get it on Amazon:
I saw that, and is the European version (Germany), not compatible with US bands. Read in the comments.
If you have a hot water tank, you simply need to add a pressure gauge to the drain cock at the bottom. I think there are some zigbee ones.
Fibaro was sold/rebranded to 'Nice'. See here.
Whats not at all NICE is the new pricing.
If you are OK with DIY solution, there are many pressure transducers like this: Flylin 100PSI Pressure Transducer Sender Sensor with Connector 1/8" NPT | Thread Stainless Steel Fuel Pressure Sensor for Oil Air Water, High Precision, Voltage Protection, Switch Sensor Transmitter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
The output is an Analog signal. For the HE integrations you can you an Hubduino (ESP32-based, WiFi) DIY Device. All what you need - is an Analog Input Monitor. Yes, this will require minor soldering.
PS. In my house I was using many of these transducers for monitoring Water Filter performance, etc. Now I am in a big apartment complex and there is basically no need to use this transducers.
Another Wi-Fi protocol option with analog input is the Shelly Plus UNI.
I've personally only used the old non-Plus UNI, it's been working great.
I have an uni plus monitoring the voltage of a battery backup for my outdoor cameras as well as power cycling all of them if the need arises. It has been reliable.
The Moen Flo will report the pressure of the water system and give warning if it is to high. There is a user app that connects to the Moen Flo using the login information. You would also get water shutoffs if the Flo detect unsual water usage. It is a more expensive option from a simple pressure monitor.
Get any zigbee water pressure sensor, get an adapter to convert it to hose and attach it to the spigot on your water heater and leave the spigot open. This is a very accurate place to get pressure.
I've googled those and only see water leak sensors Rick.
Can you send me a link to 1 plz? Thks.
Just splitting hairs here. But Static pressure is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions in a contained system. So, when it is not flowing, ALL points are reading the system pressure. When it is flowing, the pressure will drop in piping where it is reduced (indicating flow) and the "accurateness" of the measurement is subjective unless you know the size of the restricting orifice, flow rate, and which side of the orifice you are on.
So basically, unless you have taps open, any place before the branch you have out of your inlet should be fine when you have no taps open. When the taps are open, the sensor won't be monitoring pressure of the entire system as it will be different at the taps than at the inlet.
Edited to add, I am not factoring in head effect of the piping with water above the inlet on higher floors.....
Physical/Dimensional calibration specialist and metrologist for almost 40 years
Accurate was probably the wrong word. An easy place to measure it from is probably more accurate.
just google zigbee water pressure and lots of them show up. Lots on alibaba and what not
I just did this and nothing comes up but garbage as any other Google search, water valves, water flow, WiFi stuff, thermostats, etc. Ho and of course a bunch of DIY, any links to what you saw that are actual Zigbee water pressure sensors?
I myself need this also and ordered everything I need to make one with ESPHome as there is just nothing out there.
Given this is WELL WATER (typically mineral rich) I think I'd be inclined to NOT put a sensor on a hot water heater, especially at the bottom where sediment / precipitate typically accumulates.
Also, while this may not be relevant, not all such sensors are designed to be in hot water or otherwise not designed with temperature compensation.
But the OP's idea for monitoring this has triggered my interest! Could be a means to get advanced notice on pump or tank problems....and leaks.
I'd be looking for something to put on the tee assembly at the well's expansion tank (in just that same kind of port) like the mechanical gauge is on in your current system. It could actually just replace that mechanical gauge ...but I bet there's Code that says you have to have the mechanical.
Some of the industrial gauges I just searched for have MODBUS capability. Isn't there such an interface built into some of the Shelly stuff?
Not OP but I just ordered one of these 0-5V pressure sensors that I will be using with ESPHome with external I2C ADC and logic level shifter 3.3V/5V (so that I can expand on it later like flow and temp (well water). But I could have just used a Shelly UNI that I already have on the shelf.
I just installed this one. Unless you need a very precise and very linear measurements you can use simple resistive divider and use ADC input from ESP32 (no need for external ADC and level shifter). For the temp sensors you can use DS18B20 (as many as you want on a single OneWire bus) connected to the same ESP32. My project is MQTT but sure ESPHome or even Hubduino (direct connection to the HE) could be used.
@rlithgow1 , have you even clicked any of those, the 3 I found those pictures on Alibaba are not even Zigbee at all but industrial 4-20mA units, they are not even in the realm of DIY friendly ADC signals.
I have worked with these kind of units and they are rugged harsh environment units used in industrial applications (prices also reflects this).
