HOW TO - Measure Salt level in your water softener

Ez1-Sensor Smaller
Cocoontech writes "This How-To will show you how you can use a Maxbotix Ultrasonic Sensor to measure the salt level in your water softener. It also explains how to use this data in a home automation environment with touch screens." - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Jun 23, 2006 05:50 PM
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Posted by: john.ridley on June 23, 2006 at 3:08 PM

Uh, how about a stick through the top of the tank, a small flat surface on the end that rests on the salt, and a pair of wires that touch when it drops to a preset level? Should take about $2 and 2 minutes to make.
If you must, use a magnet and a reed switch.


Posted by: BraveSirRobbin on June 23, 2006 at 7:14 PM

Quote: "Uh, how about a stick through the top of the tank, a small flat surface on the end that rests on the salt, and a pair of wires that touch when it drops to a preset level? Should take about $2 and 2 minutes to make.
If you must, use a magnet and a reed switch.
Posted by: john.ridley on June 23, 2006 at 03:08 PM"

Yes, AMATEUR home automation enthusiasts would attempt to monitor in this fashion.

This is an "advanced" method that does not require anything touching the salt as well as giving an "actual" level (so you know exactly how much salt is in the tank at any time). This is useful in case you are going on a trip or other reasons where you need an actual level indicator, not just when it needs filling.

Of course you could do the same thing with several magnet sensors (for a "crude" level indicator), but then again you will not have the accuracy and will have material touching the salt.


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