Question about the PING))) water test

MarkS

I read this article with great interest as my main hobby is aquariums. However, I want to make sure of something. Did the PING give the depth of the water or the distance from the surface of the water?

If its the latter, I have use for it as a accurate evaporation controller. I'm willing to risk the humidity damage.

deno

The PING))) device will give you with good accuracy the distance from the device to the top of the water level.

If you know the distance from the PING))) to the top of the water in the tank/vertical tube, and using simple math, you can determine the level or amount of water in the tank/tube..

I use the PING))) device inside a 4 inch PVC pipe which is remotely located and at the exact same level as my water tank on my boat to display on an LCD the amount of water (gallons) left in the tank.

Deno


Post Edited (deno) : 9/8/2007 11:22:24 AM GMT

MarkS

What I would need it for is to check the distance between the top of the water in the tank and the PING, and when it drops by x amount, turn on a pump. It sounds like it will work! [noparse]:D[/noparse]

Post Edited (MarkS) : 9/8/2007 6:14:09 PM GMT

skylight

MarkS just wondering if the ultrasonics would distress the fish?

MarkS

Possibly, but this would be mounted in a sump, not the main tank.

Mightor

Make sure there are no problems with dampness. That would probably really mess up the sensor with corrosion and whatnot.

Gr,
Mightor

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MarkS

I'm wondering what would happen if I cut two disks out of thin mylar and glued these to the transmitter/receiver? I would guess that, at worst, there would be a drop in detection range, but I only need about 3 feet anyway.

deno

Is the 'fish water' fresh or saltwater?

Mounting the PING))) above the fish tank a couple of feet or in a sump that is tied to the tank and seeks the same level as the water in the tank will work.· If using a sump, don't use anything smaller then 4 inches ID.· I know this to be true, as I did alot of expermenting sounding thru various sizes of PVC pipe.· I am successfully sounding a water level up to 42 inches deep in a 4 inch ID PVC pipe with the PING))) device mounted on top of the pipe.· Sounding pipe needs to be near vertical in position.

I also cut large 2 inch diameter holes (using a hole saw) on opposite sides of the vertical pipe, just below the PING))) sensor for air to circulate around the PING))) device to avoid condinsation on the device.·The PING)) device does not see these holes.·In my case the actual water level in the tube never gets closer then 12 inches to the PING))).· I am suspending the PING))) inside a 4 inch PVC cap that sits on top of the pipe.· ( Cap not glued to pipe.)

Again, repeating, using the PING))) thru a Stamp, you can very accurally determine when you need to add water to the tank using some sort of electric water valve.·

Hope this helps...Deno

MarkS

Wanted to bump this up...

I still need an answer to my question here:

MarkS said...
I'm wondering what would happen if I cut two disks out of thin mylar and glued these to the transmitter/receiver? I would guess that, at worst, there would be a drop in detection range, but I only need about 3 feet anyway.

JSWrightOC

The big concern here is how transparent the material is to ultrasonic frequencies. Your best bet is to try it, and see what happens. My guess is it will reduce the sensing range slightly. One concern, however, is if the glue seal fails, the mylar disc can trap moisture against the diaphragm of the transducer. Would it be possible to instead use a larger sheet in front of the PING)) module, and allow fresh air to circulate behind the sheet where the PING)) module is? This way if there are any leaks in your vapor barrier, moisture cannot get trapped in a space and cause corrosion. Please see another thread that I started, which covers some other options mentioned by fellow forum members and see if they might work for your application.