high/ low level indicator

[smoknjoe44]

Will a water level indicator work with anything other than water.  What I want to do is build a circuit that will give me a good idea of how much grain is in some feed bins that you would find on a farm.  I'm tired of climbing up them to check how much grain is in them and thought I might give this a try.  I'm also new to electronics...Thanks.

 

[audioguru2]

Please post the schematic of a water level indicator or a link to its project so we can see if it depends on the electrical resistance of the water or some other way that can't sense your grain.

 

[smoknjoe44]

Here is something that I want to tryhttp://www.zen22142.zen.co.uk/Circuits/Alarm/walarm.htm

Instead of having it make a sound, i'd rather replace the speaker with an led...

Thanks

 

[audioguru2]

The Water Activated Alarm uses the fairly low resistance of water between its probes to work. It would also sense coins very well.
Unless your grain to be sensed is soaking wet, it won't detect it.

Maybe you could use an LED on one side of the bin shining on a light detector on the other side, if the bin is dark inside. When the grain's level in the bin drops low enough so that it unblocks the light, then the alarm sounds.

If the grain isn't too dusty then the LED and light detector can be mounted side-by-side and shining on and reflecting off a mirror on the other side.

 

[ante1]

Hi Joe,

Isn’t it possible to use simple mechanical pressure pads on the inside of the silo wall at the desired height/s?

 

[audioguru2]

Isn’t it possible to use simple mechanical pressure pads on the inside of the silo wall at the desired height/s?

I think the mice in there would push on the pads. ;D

 

[ante1]

So.. there are mice inside the feed bins, I get it it’s a snake farm then! ;D

 

[audioguru2]

So.. there are mice inside the feed bins, I get it it’s a snake farm then!

I don't know if grain farmers put cats or snakes in the bins to eat the mice. What would they put to eat the cats or snakes? Then what would they put to eat .....

 

[Shahriar]

Dear smoknjoe44

Maybe using an InfraRed receiver and transmitter will do the job. when there is enogh Bin, the receiver does not receive anything and the LED will turn On.

HTH - Shahriar