How do you guys use ATO Optical Sensor

[swisschris104]

I was planning on how I will implement my ATO on the Reef-Pi. I don't know what sensor to use. I was planning to use a optical sensor to detect water level, and float switch as a backup (and a float valve)... The problem I am running into is that none of these switches are waterproof. So whenever I turn off my return pump the sensor will get wet and break... Should I just use a on contact liquid sensor? What are you guys doing?

 

[attiland]

I was planning on how I will implement my ATO on the Reef-Pi. I don't know what sensor to use. I was planning to use a optical sensor to detect water level, and float switch as a backup (and a float valve)... The problem I am running into is that none of these switches are waterproof. So whenever I turn off my return pump the sensor will get wet and break... Should I just use a on contact liquid sensor? What are you guys doing?

I think this is only wort doing with 100g plus setups. I have a £30 ATO with optical sensor. Nothing to configure and the motor replaceable up to 2A motor. That is 100g + top up. Reality is you don’t need bigger motor. I have 40g the ATO never runs more than 4-5 sec so I would assume it would easily handle 3x of the size of my tank.

to answer your question if I would change my mind I would use something like this

https://cpc.farnell.com/df-robot/sen0205/photoelectric-water-sensor-for/dp/SC15121?mckv=s_dm%7Cpcrid%7C224679642167%7Ckword%7C%7Cmatch%7C%7Cplid%7C%7Cslid%7C%7Cproduct%7CSC15121%7Cpgrid%7C47129782516%7Cptaid%7Cpla-1233728343034%7C&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!224679642167!!!network%7D!1233728343034!&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQivQq27G2dXPxN3YczTKPU-cfwzVFi20U7CHjeR2H4jV_iFU_lHsAP4aAma-EALw_wcB

 

[swisschris104]

I think this is only wort doing with 100g plus setups. I have a £30 ATO with optical sensor. Nothing to configure and the motor replaceable up to 2A motor. That is 100g + top up. Reality is you don’t need bigger motor. I have 40g the ATO never runs more than 4-5 sec so I would assume it would easily handle 3x of the size of my tank.

to answer your question if I would change my mind I would use something like this

https://cpc.farnell.com/df-robot/sen0205/photoelectric-water-sensor-for/dp/SC15121?mckv=s_dm%7Cpcrid%7C224679642167%7Ckword%7C%7Cmatch%7C%7Cplid%7C%7Cslid%7C%7Cproduct%7CSC15121%7Cpgrid%7C47129782516%7Cptaid%7Cpla-1233728343034%7C&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!224679642167!!!network%7D!1233728343034!&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQivQq27G2dXPxN3YczTKPU-cfwzVFi20U7CHjeR2H4jV_iFU_lHsAP4aAma-EALw_wcB

Yeah, this is sort of what i was planning. I just have the fear that i sensors will break when i overflow sump by turning off return pump. have you had any issues with this?

 

[Ranjib]

I started with optical sensors, 5 years back, but after several false kickoffs, i switched to float sensors, and they are way more reliable. I use a supporting 3d printed contraption, like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3222691

 

[BHHOWARD]

I was thinking of using a couple of these for redundancy outside of the tank/sump/container and never have them submerged.

PIR

a commercial vendor had one: Puratek Auto Level Controller. I don’t think they could compete in the crowded space. @Broadfield was using it a couple of years ago.

 

[attiland]

Yeah, this is sort of what i was planning. I just have the fear that i sensors will break when i overflow sump by turning off return pump. have you had any issues with this?

Not so fare. I have it for 6 month

 

[swisschris104]

I started with optical sensors, 5 years back, but after several false kickoffs, i switched to float sensors, and they are way more reliable. I use a supporting 3d printed contraption, like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3222691

I'm planning to use float switch as a backup at around the same level. So i guess worst case scenario, the float switch will work whenever the optical gets ruined from water. I'll just silicon the top of optical sensor and hope for the best. I read somewhere that the float switches fail from carbon and salt creep

 

[robsworld78]

Have you looked at this type of sensor, these are great when water level could go over optical, 100% if that happens too often and optical is submersed for a period of time it will be ruined, water gets in where the cable enters.

Non-Contact Liquid Level Water Sensor XKC-Y25-V Arduino Compatible

The non-contact water sensor is great for monitoring the levels in your ATO reservoir as it can sense the water level through most materials except metal. This has been tested on Aquariums with 1/2" glass and it works great. It connects easily to the

www.robo-tank.ca

 

[cnidus]

I’ve got one of the optical Sensors as my “HighWaterMark” for ATO/AWC, with a float switch backup and a float valve for both fills also (so couple levels of redundancy).

Im using the non-contact sensor Rob mentioned as my LowWaterMark as that would be submerged most of the time.

I put a little extra silicone around the optical sensor cable also... like you said it gets submerged when return is off, but usually for not ver long. See how long it lasts....

 

[ryangonzalezrz]

Hi everyone, I see you talking about the backup port to turn off the socket or the pump in case the pi fails. I'm thinking about setting up a fresh water replenisher with a float and 5v pump. But after seeing that if the pi fails it could cause a problem for me, I want to know which backup port or backup is this you are talking about?
I don't understand English so I use the translator to understand and some things are confusing due to the translation, that's why I'm asking

 

[ryangonzalezrz]

Can anyone help me?

 

[biznatch]

Can anyone help me?

The backup port on robotank is placed on the signal wire between the rPi and the relay/outlet. So even if reefpi has an issue, ignores the sensor and continues to keep the outlet on, the backup port will shut it off.

 

[ryangonzalezrz]

A porta de backup no robotank é colocada no fio de sinal entre o rPi e o relé/saída. Então, mesmo que o reefpi tenha um problema, ignore o sensor e continue a manter a saída ligada, a porta de backup irá desligá-lo.

I understand, so this backup port is on robotank, I thought it was some project directly from reef-pi. Is there any detailed way on the forum that shows how to create this backup port for the reef-pi without using robotank?

 

[biznatch]

I understand, so this backup port is on robotank, I thought it was some project directly from reef-pi. Is there any detailed way on the forum that shows how to create this backup port for the reef-pi without using robotank?

It's a physical failsafe, not software. You can add it yourself, just cut the signal wire that enables the relay/outlet and add a float valve in between. The whole point is it opens that connection so the outlet shuts off. If you're having trouble with that concept, you're going to have a lot of problems trying to build this project yourself.

 

[ryangonzalezrz]

Now i understand the backup port logic. I was thinking: instead of adding a new float valve, could I use the same valve that is connected to the Raspberry Pi and also connect it directly to the relay? In this case, the same signal sent to the Raspberry Pi would also be sent to the relay. Is there a way to control the relay through Reef-Pi even if a direct opening signal is being sent to the relay?

 

[biznatch]

Now i understand the backup port logic. I was thinking: instead of adding a new float valve, could I use the same valve that is connected to the Raspberry Pi and also connect it directly to the relay? In this case, the same signal sent to the Raspberry Pi would also be sent to the relay. Is there a way to control the relay through Reef-Pi even if a direct opening signal is being sent to the relay?

How would it control the relay when the float switch is physically opening the connection between the 2? If you hooked the float to the sensor port as well, you would only be able to use the status to send an alert or control another device.

 

[ryangonzalezrz]

I really didn't think about that point. thanks

 

[Wolfw28]

I don’t know where @robsworld78 sourced his optical sensor from, the I got from him have been good work fine for there year. The other thing you can do if you’re sump a acrylic, you can draw a hole in it and mount the sensor to our only the contact part is in the water, and the wiring is not exposed to the water.

 

[robsworld78]

I don’t know where @robsworld78 sourced his optical sensor from, the I got from him have been good work fine for there year. The other thing you can do if you’re sump a acrylic, you can draw a hole in it and mount the sensor to our only the contact part is in the water, and the wiring is not exposed to the water.

Yeah those cone shaped optical sensors aren't sealed very well but in the last 6 months they have come out with another version, many sellers on eBay and Amazon are sending them even though their pictures show the cone version. These ones are flat on the top and sealed much better. They do have a 3 pin connector vs 4 pin though and the resistors used are different so they aren't interchangeable. I have added a 3 pin port on the sensor extension so they remain plug and play.

 

[ClownSchool]

I was planning on how I will implement my ATO on the Reef-Pi. I don't know what sensor to use. I was planning to use a optical sensor to detect water level, and float switch as a backup (and a float valve)... The problem I am running into is that none of these switches are waterproof. So whenever I turn off my return pump the sensor will get wet and break... Should I just use a on contact liquid sensor? What are you guys doing?

Almost all ATO failures are pump related, so you should able to find a used optical sensor pretty cheap.