Hi. Looking to set up a system for a friend.
A neighbor of mine just lost about 8 of his koi fish as his pond got too low and with such a small amount of water, the water got to hot and he lost a bunch of his fish. I was thinking that he should be able to install a leak sensor and run the alarm in reverse....meaning set an alarm when the contacts go dry. I have looked on line and there are leak detectors that have a cord on them separating the Zwave or zigbee circuit from the leak sensor. Anyone know if that sensor can be left in water permanently ? Seems to me it should be pretty easy to create a rule to alarm when dry vs wet. Was even thinking that could trigger a relay to fill the pond till the sensor is wet again. Or even trigger a relay for a set time to fill.
Anyone out there have a similar setup?
Cheers mac.
A basic float valve would probably be better in this situation. You could still use a water leak sensor as a notification that something's not right.
Regular water sensors are usually battery operated. If run in "reverse" I would imagine they would go through batteries pretty quick.
If you find a mains operated sensor I would extend the sensor terminals so the mounting point is above the water so if they foul they won't give a false positive indication.
Aeotec Water Sensor 6 w/ the base gives you a USB powered option and 2 wired probes
Homeseer makes one too. With probes. It doubles as a light sensor depending on which probe you buy. it's z-wave also. I have the light sensor and it's been very reliable.
After looking at the options I think I’m going to look at a wired water float that I can connect up to a zen 16. I’ll need the relay to operate the valve regardless and can run float wires to the Zen. That should give the ability to
- fill automatically when water gets below a certain lever determined by the float position.
- means to operate remotely if needed
- can add a momentary switch at the zen if it looks like the system needs water but is above the min level.
- certain I can set up a rule to send a notification when the valve opens and closes.
Might be the best option for this application.
And while this isn’t my application, I might do the leg work and set it up and try anyway , regardless if my neighbor installs it. I’d like to see something like that work as I think I can do the same for my pool!
Appreciate the replies.
Mac
THAT will be a cool project. Will you be doing a write up after it's finished? I would encourage it.
will certainly provide an overview. i let my neighbor know the options. He is a home automation guy but i dont think he is comfortable cutting into plumbing so i offered to help. He uses an apple based types of a platform so not certain if that connects to a Zen...but he has an option now.
Mac
Very cool device I have not seen before, been using a Dome sensor which I am getting frustrated with. But man Aeotec is proud of this device and it’s separate doc based on prices.
I didn't know how proud till i just went and looked up the price!
I think some leak sensor may not be suitable for measuring water level. Most of the sensor is resistant based. The way it work is that the device will supply current and measure the voltage between the probe. Water will have much less resistance compare to dried air.
Depending on how a manufacture design the sensor, this can cause oxidation real quick. One way to minimize the oxidation is not continuously measure the resistance.
For water level, float valve may be better path. If you are looking for electrical based sensor, look for capacitive based sensor.
Yes, it is a soil sensor. But, if you dip it in water, the voltage output change to something quite linear depending on how much water it is exposed.
There is plenty industrial capacitive sensor also. But, they would cost much higher.
Thanks. I think ive settled on a float valve.
Appreciate the reply though.
mac
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