So, what's available - simplest is knocking on the side of the tank and guessing from the sound how full. Not terribly reliable or hi-tech, but is cheap. Dipstick also cheap, but requires removing filter cover. Next up are external gauges - Our tank supplier stocks the Yaktek Levetator, but that's not really any good when I'm not on site. Hence, it's time to investigate the electronic options:
This thread on whirlpool mentions the Electrosense Aquagauge, but at $265 each plus telemetry thats not cheap. The Jaycar ultrasonic one may be OK, but as it doesn't have a serial / usb output from the display, I'd need to hack up something to parse the RF (as others have done). So datasheet hunting time:
The MaxBotix series looks like it's pretty much ideal - 1mm resolution, 5m max range, weather resistant. Annoyingly I can't see it cheaper than the ~100 USD on the manufacturer site (sparkfun et al. only have the MB7360 not the MB7369), but at least there's a local supplier. A slightly different model (MB7060) is being used by the flood network.
Next up is trying to work out how to connect them - My options are:
Next up is trying to work out how to connect them - My options are:
- Wired - Etherten or possibly something as simple as serial-ethernet adaptor
- Wireless - wemos / ESP8266 for wifi (power hungry?)
- Wireless - rfm type TX/RX setup to basestation
- lora - nice but possibly expensive as I'd need a gateway.
I suspect this particular blog entry will get updated as things progress..
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