Measure water level using RGBW module

[dgcon 4]

I need to measure water level in a tank using a level sesor with a 0-10V output and display it in HC2,can this be done by using one of the inputs of the RGBW module? How can I set the range so the 0-10V results in 0-500cm shown in the HC2 module?

[Kage 37]

i use Seneye for levelsensor of the water

if there is no water a alarm goes off

[petergebruers 1,268]

Not all sensors can pull the input of the RGBW low. If you are a bit of a DIY man, it's possible to build and adaptor for such a sensor. I did that for a Loxone Lux sensor, see

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Maybe the technical specs of the sensor can confirm this. If you post it here, I'll have a look.

When you set an RGBW module to "input mode" you can enter the "start" and "end" value plus "Unit" (cm). Suppose the sensor starts actually at 0.2 V and that it means 3 cm You can enter that for the low end. Also, if you find out 500 cm is reached at e.g. 9 V instead of 10, again you can enter "9" and "500" so the HC2 can calculate the values for you.

[dgcon 4]

Not all sensors can pull the input of the RGBW low. If you are a bit of a DIY man, it's possible to build and adaptor for such a sensor. I did that for a Loxone Lux sensor, see

Please login or register to see this link.

Maybe the technical specs of the sensor can confirm this. If you post it here, I'll have a look.When you set an RGBW module to "input mode" you can enter the "start" and "end" value plus "Unit" (cm). Suppose the sensor starts actually at 0.2 V and that it means 3 cm You can enter that for the low end. Also, if you find out 500 cm is reached at e.g. 9 V instead of 10, again you can enter "9" and "500" so the HC2 can calculate the values for you.

Thanks for your help. The sensor I am thinking to use is

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the 0-10V version. Can you check its data sheet and tell me if it will work as is or it needs the adapter you posted in the other thread for the lux meter?

[petergebruers 1,268]

Hi, from the specs I cannot guarantee that it will work *without* buffer. They specify RL > 5 k and that value is OK, but they picture (not surprisingly) the "measurement device" between the output and the ground. Meaning: "having RL connected to the ground". And that's the issue with the RGBW, the RL is connected to a reference voltage a bit higher than 10 V, not ground. So this sensor might have the same issue as the Loxone: inability to pull the input low enough. But the little circuit should work, it has an incredibly high RL. If you want to try without, but have the skills to build the circuit, maybe one little advice: buy a 24 V DC supply (for instance, Meanwell IRM-10-24 through hole mounting SMPS). Although the manual says the sensor works with 13 V, the buffer needs at least 15.

[dgcon 4]

Hi, from the specs I cannot guarantee that it will work *without* buffer. They specify RL > 5 k and that value is OK, but they picture (not surprisingly) the "measurement device" between the output and the ground. Meaning: "having RL connected to the ground". And that's the issue with the RGBW, the RL is connected to a reference voltage a bit higher than 10 V, not ground. So this sensor might have the same issue as the Loxone: inability to pull the input low enough. But the little circuit should work, it has an incredibly high RL. If you want to try without, but have the skills to build the circuit, maybe one little advice: buy a 24 V DC supply (for instance, Meanwell IRM-10-24 through hole mounting SMPS). Although the manual says the sensor works with 13 V, the buffer needs at least 15.

I could also use this model

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,which comes with 0-5V and 0.5-4.5V outputs. Do you believe I have a better chance with this one?

It also measures voltage relevant to the ground,but after all , all voltage output sensors measure with ground, why the RGBW measures with positive 10 volts? Fibaro claims in the data sheet that it accepts 0-10volt outputs without giving any specific requirements.

[petergebruers 1,268]

Yes, ground is the reference, also for the RGBW... But the IN1 has a pull-up resistor to the positive side, not to ground. I don't know why there is a pull-up. But it makes connecting a switch easy: connect one side to IN1 and the other side to GND. If the switch is open, The IN1 registers 10 Volt. And 0 V when closed.

The specs for this model are equally vague... plus I've noticed this: "Pressure ranges of 100 mbar to 10 bar (corresponds to water column of 1 m to 100 m)". Does that meet your requirements?

Maybe you can ask the supplier. The question to ask is this "Can the sensor *sink* at least 1 mA. This corresponds to RL = 12 k connected to +12 Volt.". The actual current is a bit less than this, but I've rounded it up to 1 mA to account for product tolerance. The Loxone only manages about half of that en thus cannot pull the IN1 pin lower than 1.7 Volt. So what you ris is that it cannot measure the lowest pressures. Also keep in mind, that you generally cannot measure below 1% (equals 0.1 Volt) of any sensor.

[dgcon 4]

Yes, ground is the reference, also for the RGBW... But the IN1 has a pull-up resistor to the positive side, not to ground. I don't know why there is a pull-up. But it makes connecting a switch easy: connect one side to IN1 and the other side to GND. If the switch is open, The IN1 registers 10 Volt. And 0 V when closed.The specs for this model are equally vague... plus I've noticed this: "Pressure ranges of 100 mbar to 10 bar (corresponds to water column of 1 m to 100 m)". Does that meet your requirements?Maybe you can ask the supplier. The question to ask is this "Can the sensor *sink* at least 1 mA. This corresponds to RL = 12 k connected to +12 Volt.". The actual current is a bit less than this, but I've rounded it up to 1 mA to account for product tolerance. The Loxone only manages about half of that en thus cannot pull the IN1 pin lower than 1.7 Volt. So what you ris is that it cannot measure the lowest pressures. Also keep in mind, that you generally cannot measure below 1% (equals 0.1 Volt) of any sensor.

The sensor range is OK I want to measure a water reservoir about 5m deep and I can order a range of 0 to 500mbar with a 0-10V output.I will do some testing with a similar sensor that I have,to see how it works.

[Kfruechtl 4]

Hi there,

 

Did you manage to integrate the water level measurement into Fibaro as you had planned?

 

am trying to do something very similar for our rain water tanks.

 

would appreciate any guidance before I get started...

 

thanks!

[Charles_Riley 0]

I'm using the LevelPro Sentinel Remote tank level monitoring device for a long time without any trouble and also the support team is very helpful. You can also measure the level remotely. So you can check this device from Icon Process Controls website:

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