Arduino dual ultrasonic liquid level meter with integrated website

This project allows you to monitor the level of 2 containers filled with liquid. The levels can be shown on a website. The example below has one sensor connected by wire, and another sensor connected wirelessly by XBee.

The website allow you to configure the minimum and maximum levels (for a full and empty tank), so the level can be shown in percentage. Also the tcp/ip settings can be configured.

This project was created at the second Belgian Arduino Jam Gent by:

- Jo3ri  C (http://www.jo3ri.be/) Check this site for more information about the included webserver
- Erik DC
- Wim DB

http://www.arduino-jam.org/

Step 1: Main module

The main module is composed of an Aduino Ethernet board (or an arduino with Ethernet shield).

Directly attached is the URM37 ultrasonic sensor from DFRobot (ethernet cable is used as extension lead). The URM37 is used in TTL mode, so only 4 wires are need (2 for power + 2 for data)

Also on the main board is the XBee Explorer (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9132), that takes care of the 3.3 to 5V conversion, and receives the data from the wireless sensor.

Comments

[sujithn]

Great project

[kristof.van.opstal]

Great project guys! And congrats with the 2nd place ;-)
In my eyes, this was a winner! It has a wide field of potential uses. We can't say that about the bike-project, however it was a nice one too :)

Just one question:
What if the liquids container goes conical or rounded to the bottom?
It would be a nice extra if those variables are integrated in the setup (measuring) section to get an accurate readout of the remaining liquid.

[JO3RI]

Well, for most containers it doesn't really matter that much, but one could go with different calculations, mind you, they would be different for every container.

[kristof.van.opstal]

That last statement was my point... and the challenge ;-) But I'm thinking outside the project, so never mind ;-)

[JO3RI]

Being a member of the team on the arduino-jam, I continue this project on my own website. For now I finished a wired version, with wired only sensors. Later on you will be able to set this up in the config page. Go have a look http://www.jo3ri.be/a/jo3ri.be/jo3ri/arduino/projects/tank-level-measuring-basic

[amandaghassaei]

nice, what was your reason for designing this interface? What do you think the accuracy of these ultrasonic sensors is?

[JO3RI]

The main reason was to monitor 2 Diesel containers locked away in the cellar.

[xperimental_erik]

You mean the webinterface ?

We already had the website from another project, so we decided to re-use it for this purpose.

It is accurate to at least 1cm. for the purpose of measuring liquid levels in big containers this is plenty...

The biggest advantage of ultrasonic measuring is that it is not invasive, it does not touch the liquid, and it has no moving (or corroding) parts.

Erik