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.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

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.


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog