| Author |
Message |
C. Ray Powell (Raypowell) (64.12.102.33)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 - 10:22 pm: | |
Have holding tanks with four builtin monitoring posts on each tank. Can I build my gauge using LED's? Or do I buy a guage? How does this work?
If I build them using LED's, do I put power to one post and the liquid transfers continuity to the other posts to light the LED?
Thanks
C Ray |
Scott Whitney (24.205.239.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 3:11 am: | |
Ardemco.com sells the tank monitor for this system (~$100). I am sure there are others. I think it is going to require a little more resistance measuring circuitry than what you have suggested. I don't think you can power the LEDs thru the liquid unless you have some really, really salty holding tank water.
Scott |
Ray C (142.165.92.66)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 9:34 am: | |
I think you will get many responses that point you towards commercial rv systems that will do the job well and one often mentioned is a tape that sticks on the side of the tank. The system you have is subject to corrosion problems and is not the best. However having said that my own coach will use many electronic circuits picked up from sites on the net including an led type water level gauge that uses stainless steel probes on the side of the tank.
The plan I have built and am experimenting with is at http://www.electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/alarmsimages/alarmsckt6.shtml but there are several other designs online.
Changing from the 6v plans to 12v requires changing the 330 ohm resistor to a 560 or higher and if you have 24v you will have to go higher again. The buzzer circuit has to be reworked also if you want it. There are formulaes and experts out there on electronic chat lines that will help you on these projects.
A bit of searching and you can find intermittant wipers, battery level, coolant level and remote everything diagrams.
The nice part is the cost, this circuit is less than $10 to put together including the switch to change from one tank to another.
Have fun |