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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Hall Effect Water Flow Sensor/Counter application
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Chrisk Senior Member  Joined: 21/12/2014 Location: AustraliaPosts: 122 |
Hi Guys and Gals Has anyone written a program to measure water flow through one of these Hall Effect Water Flow Sensor/Counters. I want to use a micromite 64 that I have. https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=water+measuring+Hall+effect+counter&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=water+measuring+counter&_osacat=0 The flow counter is on its way but I thought I might save some time if someone has been down this path already. Thanks Chrisk  |
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TassyJim Guru  Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
The ones I originally used were the plastic ones similar to the ones from Jaycar. They tend to last 2-3 years at most. They do have the advantage that the hall effect sensor can be replaced when lightning does its thing. I have just replace one with one similar to https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/313619483857?hash=item49052d8cd1 The original ones give 330 pulses per litre, the new one seems to give 420 pulses per litre. I haven't finished calibrating it yet. I am hoping that the brass unit outlasts the plastic ones. To use them, I use a counting pin and read the pin every 30 seconds and take the difference, divide by 330 (or 420), multiply by 2 = litres/minute I have 4 flow sensors and have been using them since the first maximites. I usually do the charting on a Windows PC and just let the 'mite remember what has happened. Jim Edit: I am using 3/4 inch units. Edited 2023-01-04 16:26 by TassyJim VK7JH MMedit |
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| Chrisk Senior Member Joined: 21/12/2014 Location: AustraliaPosts: 122 |
Hi Jim The one you purchased is similar to the one I have just ordered. I Note that with yours the specs say 2-50l/min Mine said it was a max of 30l/min. But these are Chinese specs.so I'm not too fussed. My maximite has on board a LCD screen and I thought this could provide the info such as the current flow and total consumption. The total daily consumption for the day would be stored to an SD Card. With 420 pulses/l and the ridiculous amount of water that is supposed to used per day (900 litres) that's quite a few pulses. All this has come about because my daughter keeps getting these high water bills. I've checked for leaks and found nothing out of the ordinary. Using my micromite I might be able to determine when and how much water is being used. It could be that the meter is faulty. So far it is a puzzle. I too bought a 3/4 inch unit. How do you determine and record the start time of the flow? Chris |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
Calibrate by counting the number of pulses while filling a 20L bucket. The 'mites can handle the pulses with their eyes closed. When watering, I pump 10,000L/day+ from the bore into a tank and from the tank to the gardens. 900L is a doddle. If you are stand alone, I would get an RTC. Then just read every 30 seconds and log any period that has a difference in pulse count. You could easily go to 10 or 15 seconds for a quicker response. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 10315 |
Apologies for expanding the thread topic but can anyone propose a cheap water on/off valve that can also be interfaced easily to a Micromite/PicoMite and that will switch mains water pressure (c50PSI) |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2642 |
Is this the sort you need? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/394112917401 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/203972787553 Description: Body Material: Brass Voltage: DC12V Working medium: Air, water, oil, etc Temperature: -5~80? Pressure: 0.02~0.8MPa (1MPa = 150 psi) Acting motion: direct action Thread size not given but looks like 1/2" Edited 2023-01-04 22:16 by phil99 |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 10315 |
I'm really looking for something with 5V operation. There are commercial watering timers that use a 5/6V rotary valve and others that use a magnetically operated valve that requires just a short pulse of +ve voltage to operate and another of -ve voltage to close. The seem to use the water pressure through bleed holes to then maintain the current state |
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CaptainBoing Guru Joined: 07/09/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2170 |
I had one of the latter (12V) on my PIC16F84-based Reverse Osmosis setup. I ran it through an H-bridge but I found it was a bit hit and miss - Eventually the water on/off Sub gave it 10 pulses to be certain that one of them flipped it (had no way of checking so it was poke 'n' hope) |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5090 |
Like this ?? low power water valve Edited 2023-01-05 01:54 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
I have some garden timers that run on 3V. They use a rotary ball valve driven by a small motor. The timer part is stuffed so I intend to repurpose the motor/valve "eventually". They rely on physical limit switches so not sure about the life-span. A trip to the garden centre might give you some inspiration. The voltage used varies a lot.  This one is 3V This one is 9V  My 3V ones are similar to this 9V one. And I know there is at least one Bluetooth one that is 6V. Prices vary from worth butchering to ridiculous. You are right about the solenoids, some require a low holding current, others are latching. Being packaged for the gardener, the details are limited. Jim Edit: This is a 4.5V valve: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/164456997807 Edited 2023-01-05 06:35 by TassyJim VK7JH MMedit |
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