1. Use a least expensive model of stud sensor you can purchased from HomeDeport. 2. Open the case by undo two screws on the back, hidden under friction pad. 2. Connect negative black DC power wire to the unit battery’s black wire. 3. Connect positive switched red DC power wire to a 200 ohm resistor(to lower the voltage supply to around 9V) then connect to the unit’s PCB V+.(Bypass the operate switch) 4. Reassemble the case. 5. Test the unit on the tank. Known where the water level is. Move the unit between water and no water to check how the unit response to the tank level. The stud sensor is very sensitive, too sensitive so you may have to increase the gap between the sensor and the tank by using double-sided foam tape until when the unit is display green LED when it’s at no water and full red light when at water. Use the same double-sided foam tape to mount the unit where you would like the alarm to set-off. 6. Audio alarm will remind you tank is full (or empty). 7. The unit draw about 20 mA. Anyone ever used a stud sensor please comment.
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Questions
Where do you mount the alarm and the LED? Does this only tell you when the tank is full or empty...or does it let you know how much is in the tank--1/4, 1/2, 3/4 full? Have you seen the Snake River AcuGage systems(link below)?
Where do you mount the alarm and the LED? Does this only tell you when the tank is full or empty...or does it let you know how much is in the tank--1/4, 1/2, 3/4 full? Have you seen the Snake River AcuGage systems(link below)?
Cost? Real and Percieved
Interesting Idea - very ingenious. I don't know what the "built-for" guage costs, but www.homedepot.com lists the stud sensors from $10 to $50. All of them will need to have their batteries replaced on a regular (yearly) basis. If you place 4 on a tank, assume: resistors - 4 * 1.25 = $5 tape roll - $3 batteries - $10 yearly sensors -(cheapies) - $40 first year - labor - my time is scarce, I'd rather be sailing or commisioning to sail, but I could do this one day on the hook or during adverse weather. So, in the first year I've spent roughly $58 bucks for a home grown solution. Other issues? - Home grown look and feel. Affect on resale value? - Batteries are weak point. - Will I hear the alarm? - I will still need to look into the locker to see the leds - Will they vibrate free from the tank? - How will they stand up to condensation, water fill overflow (It's bound to happen once you mount a non-waterproof electronic gizmo on the tank) etc? - Is there the proper clearance on the tank to mount? - What if I only have access to the top of the tank? I still will subscribe to the old "Look and tap" method for now. Thanks - Geof
Interesting Idea - very ingenious. I don't know what the "built-for" guage costs, but www.homedepot.com lists the stud sensors from $10 to $50. All of them will need to have their batteries replaced on a regular (yearly) basis. If you place 4 on a tank, assume: resistors - 4 * 1.25 = $5 tape roll - $3 batteries - $10 yearly sensors -(cheapies) - $40 first year - labor - my time is scarce, I'd rather be sailing or commisioning to sail, but I could do this one day on the hook or during adverse weather. So, in the first year I've spent roughly $58 bucks for a home grown solution. Other issues? - Home grown look and feel. Affect on resale value? - Batteries are weak point. - Will I hear the alarm? - I will still need to look into the locker to see the leds - Will they vibrate free from the tank? - How will they stand up to condensation, water fill overflow (It's bound to happen once you mount a non-waterproof electronic gizmo on the tank) etc? - Is there the proper clearance on the tank to mount? - What if I only have access to the top of the tank? I still will subscribe to the old "Look and tap" method for now. Thanks - Geof
After Thinking About It Some More
I do not think that these work in a "static" mode. I beleive they work off of sound waves and pick up a change as you slide it along the wall. One would work if you could slide it along the tank though.
I do not think that these work in a "static" mode. I beleive they work off of sound waves and pick up a change as you slide it along the wall. One would work if you could slide it along the tank though.
Congratulations Jim!
I love people who are inventive and coming up with this one is certainly inventive. I wish you luck with your project and look forward to hearing how it works for you.
I love people who are inventive and coming up with this one is certainly inventive. I wish you luck with your project and look forward to hearing how it works for you.
Answering the questions
Followings are to answering you folks questions about modify a stud sensor for tank level alarm: 1. Stud sensor working on same principle as Snake River Acugage, measuring the capacitance which changing with liquid level. Snake River use two aluminum strip as sensing prob. On the otherhand, stud sensor just simply made the top part of PCB as sensing prob. 2. There one green LED working as a power indicator, 4 red LEDs as signal level indicator and a audio alarm(does Sneak River gauge has audible alarm?) which is loud to be heard even inside a closed compartment.(Zircon model 3.0, least expensive model. I believe Zircon is the only company make stud sensor.) 3. In theory, it’s possible to further modify the sensing prob(like Sneak River’s) and use 4 red LEDs for displaying 4 tank levels. Further experiment is of course needed. 4. It’s also feasible to separate LED module from the unit(in case of model 3.0) and install it in any visible spot by extend the connection wires. 5. As discussed, the sensor will modify to use boat power. The 9V battery used wouldn’t last, although it draw only 20mA or less. 6. This DIY project has it’s point and in the meantime provide an alternative for whom wanted an audible alarm. If you know HOW-TO-DO-IT, this will cost only 10 to 15% of a commercial product even with all the modification (one 200 ohms 1/4 W resistor is the only component needed and, assuming your time is free of charge.) Further comment and discussion welcome.
Followings are to answering you folks questions about modify a stud sensor for tank level alarm: 1. Stud sensor working on same principle as Snake River Acugage, measuring the capacitance which changing with liquid level. Snake River use two aluminum strip as sensing prob. On the otherhand, stud sensor just simply made the top part of PCB as sensing prob. 2. There one green LED working as a power indicator, 4 red LEDs as signal level indicator and a audio alarm(does Sneak River gauge has audible alarm?) which is loud to be heard even inside a closed compartment.(Zircon model 3.0, least expensive model. I believe Zircon is the only company make stud sensor.) 3. In theory, it’s possible to further modify the sensing prob(like Sneak River’s) and use 4 red LEDs for displaying 4 tank levels. Further experiment is of course needed. 4. It’s also feasible to separate LED module from the unit(in case of model 3.0) and install it in any visible spot by extend the connection wires. 5. As discussed, the sensor will modify to use boat power. The 9V battery used wouldn’t last, although it draw only 20mA or less. 6. This DIY project has it’s point and in the meantime provide an alternative for whom wanted an audible alarm. If you know HOW-TO-DO-IT, this will cost only 10 to 15% of a commercial product even with all the modification (one 200 ohms 1/4 W resistor is the only component needed and, assuming your time is free of charge.) Further comment and discussion welcome.
Corrections re Snake River
The Snake River sensors are copper wires. The wires are attached to foil tape that attaches the external senders to a non-metallic tank. The wires are encased in PVC in the internal sending units required for use in metal tanks. Some models do have audible alarms that chirp every two hours when the tank level is above 3/4 full (waste) or less than 1/4 full (water and diesel). As you work on your idea, there are two things I consider important: 1. the ability to know how much is actually in the tank--enough room left for the day or weekend, or only a flush or two away from overflowing so you'd better pump out on your way out of the marina. 2) the ability to check the tank level without pulling apart the v-berth or a settee or crawling behind an engine--which is my main objection to guages that only let you know when the tank is full--if you have to keep visually inspecting the tank to know how much room is left before it's full, what's the point of having the guage? This requirement mandates a separate LED or LCD panel that can be mounted in the head or other convenient location. I suspect you're only re-inventing the same wheel that Snake River has already invented, but sometimes that can result in a better wheel than the original...so by all means, go for it. But as you compare the cost of making your device vs. anything already on the market, just keep in mind that to make any money, if your materials cost $1, your list price has to be high enough to offer a 40-55% discount to dealers and distributors and still leave more than $1 in your pocket after you've covered your overhead in addition to your cost of materials. More than one budding entrepenuer has learned that lesson the hard way.
The Snake River sensors are copper wires. The wires are attached to foil tape that attaches the external senders to a non-metallic tank. The wires are encased in PVC in the internal sending units required for use in metal tanks. Some models do have audible alarms that chirp every two hours when the tank level is above 3/4 full (waste) or less than 1/4 full (water and diesel). As you work on your idea, there are two things I consider important: 1. the ability to know how much is actually in the tank--enough room left for the day or weekend, or only a flush or two away from overflowing so you'd better pump out on your way out of the marina. 2) the ability to check the tank level without pulling apart the v-berth or a settee or crawling behind an engine--which is my main objection to guages that only let you know when the tank is full--if you have to keep visually inspecting the tank to know how much room is left before it's full, what's the point of having the guage? This requirement mandates a separate LED or LCD panel that can be mounted in the head or other convenient location. I suspect you're only re-inventing the same wheel that Snake River has already invented, but sometimes that can result in a better wheel than the original...so by all means, go for it. But as you compare the cost of making your device vs. anything already on the market, just keep in mind that to make any money, if your materials cost $1, your list price has to be high enough to offer a 40-55% discount to dealers and distributors and still leave more than $1 in your pocket after you've covered your overhead in addition to your cost of materials. More than one budding entrepenuer has learned that lesson the hard way.
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