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Sump Pit Monitor

KevinT last edited by KevinT

Hi All,
I recently replaced my sump pit pump and installed a battery backup pump at the same time. Naturally, when I saw all the alarms available on the backup system, I wanted to integrate them into my home automation system. I also wanted to add a water level sensor to get a better idea of how often the pump ran and also create a water level alarm.

Water level sensor installed.

I looked at the backup controller and realised it would be difficult to pull signals from it since it isn't easy to disassemble. So, I opted to used photo transistors to read the state of the alarm LEDs.

The photo transistors are held in place with velcro strips for easy removal.

My monitoring node consists of an ESP32C3 Super Mini ucontroller configured with 5 digital input channels and 1 analog channel to read the alarm LEDs and water level. I'm using MQTT, for this project, to send the data to Home Assistant.

Integrated into Home Assistant

Overall, after a few adjustments, the systems works really well and provides some peace of mind.
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@NotYetRated Hope you'll find good uses and a fun time while building your sensors.
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@OldSurferDude I use this. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-Solenoid-for-Battery-Operated-Timer-57861/203151515 Instead of having to hold the valve open, i can just pulse it. I use a simple motor controller to pulse it and when i need to close it, pulse it in "reverse". That way I could use a battery and if it only opens once or twice a day it's only a half a second or so of draw off the battery.
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@nagelc said in New Setup for Home Environment Monitoring – Using NRF24L01+, Arduino Pro Mini, and BME280: bme280 I read somewhere that the temperature sensor on the BME280 is sort of an afterthought. I did a few experiments comparing them to the DHT11/12/22 and found them only a little better. (Take this with a grain of salt, maybe you'll want to do you're own experiments.) I did do a lot of experiments with the DHT's and they really suck. +/-2°C Which turns out to mean +/-2°C offset (component variation) and +/-2°C measurement: +/-4°C from what the temperature actually is. My experience, yours may be better. Please post your experience with OTA. I haven't tried it on Arduino's but it's awesome on ESP8266. I hesitate with Arduino's because I had some erratic behaviour running Arduino's when pushing the memory limit. I, too, use the MQTT data transport to Home Assistant (HA) and I find that excellent. Getting data from HA is a bit tricky, but do-able. I have a flow meter and use HA to store the last read; meaning, if there is a power failure, HA sends the last read on Arduino boot. I don't use the EEPROM because that has a spec of 100,000 writes which the meter would do in about a year, thus, necessitating a new Arduino. I truly appreciate you sharing. Thanks! -OSD
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I think the comments you make are good. I do have a question about the removing the regulator. I assume you mean the 5V to 3.3V regulator. I connect to the 5V and I see lot of variation in moisture readings due to the variation in the output of the power supply (solar panel/stepdown). I have a calibration routine for that. The voltage can go as high as 4.2V, which I believe may be bad if I connect the power supply to 3.3V. Of course, this is not a concern if using two 1.5V batteries. With batteries, the moisture reading would be more consistent over a day. Lot of advantages there. I just don't like changing batteries and I really hate it when they leak. I have every reason to believe that my power supply will last 10 years and I am fortunate to live in a place with consistent sunshine . Someone replicating my project will have to take this into consideration. My design easily accommodates a different power supply. And my power supply could be used in other projects. Resistive vs Capacitive sensor. I'm glad you report good results. This gives people options. Water moisture: I've had good experience with "spraying" the Arduino with clear electronic coating and sealing the enclosure with liquid tape. -OSD

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Welcome Announcements • • hek

Getting Better Range with NRF24L01 Modules My Project • • MasonBlake

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42Online

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