I think I have asked this before, but can't find any reference to it. I basically want HS to know how much salt my water softener system has left. I came up with a good idea (I think), assuming I someone can identify the part I need. I would drill a tiny hole through the top cover, and use some string and weights to activate some switches.
this is an ascii drawing of what I think would be a good setup:
So all I need is the opposite of a push switch, so when the tank gets down to 90%, switch 1 will activate as the weight is 'hanging' now instead of resting on top of the salt, switch 2 will also activate when the remaining salt level goes down to 50%, and the same for switch 3. This way the only item in the tank will be some string and a dead weight, so I don't have to worry about electronics/switches being exposed to the salt/water. Can anyone see a reason why this wouldn't work? Also, if someone could point out the part I need on the RadioShack website, that would be great!
I am even thinking about using resistors for this setup so I only need to use 1 input on my Ocelot.
this is an ascii drawing of what I think would be a good setup:
Code:
___ [switch 1] (when activated, 90% salt remaining)
/___ [switch 2] (when activated, 50% salt remaining)
//___ [switch 3] (when activated, 10% salt remaining)
///
.------[|||]-------.
| ||| |
| O|| s |
| || a |
| || l |
| || t |
| || |
| O| t |
| | a |
| | n |
| | k |
| O |
| |
|__________________|
x = small weight
| = string
So all I need is the opposite of a push switch, so when the tank gets down to 90%, switch 1 will activate as the weight is 'hanging' now instead of resting on top of the salt, switch 2 will also activate when the remaining salt level goes down to 50%, and the same for switch 3. This way the only item in the tank will be some string and a dead weight, so I don't have to worry about electronics/switches being exposed to the salt/water. Can anyone see a reason why this wouldn't work? Also, if someone could point out the part I need on the RadioShack website, that would be great!
I am even thinking about using resistors for this setup so I only need to use 1 input on my Ocelot.