💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor
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@flopp
This didn't worked so well, I got a lot of errors everytime nRF was sending data, then I got one pulse.
Anyone know how to protect the digital input to NOT fall when nRF sends?
Wait, when I was writing this text :) I just remember that nRF is using Pin 2, is that correct?
I will try to use pin 3 instead, as interrupt pin -
@smilvert
I also have same meter as the picture. Yesterday I installed my sensor
I took a TCRT5000 IR sensor, https://www.mysensors.org/store/water
A cap from a soda bottle, cut it so it fits above left red wheel(X0,0001) which means one lap i 1 liter
It works but it counts little bit wrong, I have change theif (interval<500000L)to
if (interval<2500000L)but anyway it counts about 3 times to much. I will check it later today


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@flopp Nice. You don't use a green led? I tried that and it seems to work better but then I struggle with the mounting.
Need to try this again!
@smilvert said in 💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor:
You don't use a green led? I tried that and it seems to work better but then I struggle with the mounting.
I am using IR to detect movements. Green LED is flashing eveytime the IR detects movement and Red LED is power for PCB.
I am using Digital Output from PCB to pin 2 or 3 on my UNO. I have tried both with INPUT_PULLUP and without, also tried 20K between Digital Output and GND. nothing is helpingHow do you use green LED with water meter?
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Any one used this approach? From the text I see that the node sleeps! How does it measures the consumption if the node is sleeping?
Thank you
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Any one used this approach? From the text I see that the node sleeps! How does it measures the consumption if the node is sleeping?
Thank you
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@mfalkvidd hello!
I was referring to this statement in the site:
"Use this mode if you power the sensor with a battery. In this mode the sensor will sleep most of the time and only report the cumulative water volume."
Thank you
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That is nice! But I would have to test it out! Probably that would make the node all the time awake during a long bath! Ok, it would not use the radio all the time, but I would like to know who that would affect the battery!
Thank you all for the feedback
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That is nice! But I would have to test it out! Probably that would make the node all the time awake during a long bath! Ok, it would not use the radio all the time, but I would like to know who that would affect the battery!
Thank you all for the feedback
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@flopp Did you ever manage to stabilize the readings? Am I understanding you correctly that the readings were fine but the transmission got the reading scrambled?
Did you try to find a magnetic field with the meter instead? I have a similar meter and I'm wondering how best to approach the problem. I've seen people hook up Raspberries and cameras to do OCR basically but that seems like way too complex for an easy problem.
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@flopp said in 💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor:
TCRT5000 IR senso
I have not had good results using TCRT5000 IR sensor, did you?
@bjornhallberg well I still think this is the best approach to use RPI + OCRhttps://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1594/automatic-water-meter-reading-with-a-webcam
https://blog.m.nu/vattenmatning-med-raspberry-pi-och-webkamera/ -
While looking into the water meter I realized that we are getting a "smart" meter replacement soon. I'll see if I can speed up the replacement schedule. Anyhow, the replacement is a Kamstrup Multical 21 (https://www.kamstrup.com/en-en/water-solutions/water-meters/multical-21) which has several options for reading:
- Requesting the data via optical interface?
- Enabling the pulse function via optical interface, and then reading the IR pulse at 1imp/10lit.
- Reading the wireless mbus signal? (e.g. https://github.com/weetmuts/wmbusmeters)
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While looking into the water meter I realized that we are getting a "smart" meter replacement soon. I'll see if I can speed up the replacement schedule. Anyhow, the replacement is a Kamstrup Multical 21 (https://www.kamstrup.com/en-en/water-solutions/water-meters/multical-21) which has several options for reading:
- Requesting the data via optical interface?
- Enabling the pulse function via optical interface, and then reading the IR pulse at 1imp/10lit.
- Reading the wireless mbus signal? (e.g. https://github.com/weetmuts/wmbusmeters)
@bjornhallberg Suggest you discuss with your water supplier, and see what THEY intend to deploy for comms and explain what your own objectives are, that may refine what you are looking at, and they MIGHT actually help rather than be play "stupid" which is unfortunately common nowadays. In all probability they will be looking at wireless m-bus for drive-by readings, this is the predominant method of retrieval.
I admit to surprise at them deploying ultrasonics, they are on the expensive end of the market but they are extremely reliable and accurate. -
@flopp said in 💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor:
TCRT5000 IR senso
I have not had good results using TCRT5000 IR sensor, did you?
@bjornhallberg well I still think this is the best approach to use RPI + OCRhttps://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1594/automatic-water-meter-reading-with-a-webcam
https://blog.m.nu/vattenmatning-med-raspberry-pi-och-webkamera/@bjacobse said in 💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor:
@flopp said in 💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor:
TCRT5000 IR senso
I have not had good results using TCRT5000 IR sensor, did you?
I didn’t get it to work.
I was so lucky that my water company change the meter to a meter with wireless m-bus.
So I bought a box for this and now I have 100% correct readings. -
@flopp said in 💬 Water Meter Pulse Sensor:
TCRT5000 IR senso
I have not had good results using TCRT5000 IR sensor, did you?
@bjornhallberg well I still think this is the best approach to use RPI + OCRhttps://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1594/automatic-water-meter-reading-with-a-webcam
https://blog.m.nu/vattenmatning-med-raspberry-pi-och-webkamera/ -
@zboblamont
In Sweden you need a certified installer to exchange your pipes, else in case of water damage your insurance won't cover.
so cheapest for me is a RPI with camera - but yes I would prefer a "real" measuring from a dedicated sensor -
@zboblamont
In Sweden you need a certified installer to exchange your pipes, else in case of water damage your insurance won't cover.
so cheapest for me is a RPI with camera - but yes I would prefer a "real" measuring from a dedicated sensor@bjacobse Pardon my laughter, insurers look for any excuse for sure, but I have never heard yet where a water meter or any other competent insertion damaged a building, let alone an insurance company refused to compensate for a building which burned to the ground (99.9%) on the basis the water meter was not a verified install. For sure some loss adjusters will use any excuse, but really?
To clarify, in many countries a certified inspector or Engineer must certify that work is carried out within the regulations, it does not state that HE/SHE has carried out the work, only that it has been inspected and verified as compliant. You know any certified local plumbers with 5 minutes to spare, because that is how long it takes me to fit one, and about the time it takes a certified pipe-jockey to verify it's right and sign it off, if it really concerns you ?I have 2 self fitted water meters with sensors, gas meter sensor etc, and a huge amount of DIY stuff any smartass insurer could IMPLY was a contributory factor to the disaster which befell my house, but frankly it wouldn't stand 1 second in Court before being laughed out...
Place hasn't burned down yet, fallen over in earthquakes, or been subjected to landslide, but luckily I don't have Swedish Insurers.... ;)
PS- I should clarify that the standing regulations are framed to quite rightly protect consumers as well as the service provider against cowboys interfering with apparatus. Changing light switches or sockets falls under the same overall umbrella despite everyone and their mother changing them.