Using ELK-M1ZTS to monitor dishwasher ?

[cheekymonkey]

I have a problem in our house where there is confusion as to if the dishwasher has been run or not. I was thinking of using a ELK-M1ZTS and the long probe to monitor if hot water has been discharged down the waste pipe, if it has assume a cycle has been run and set an output.

The only problem I could see is mentioned in the manual

"The Control stores each temperature reading but discards rapidly changing readings as follows: If a reading is more than 20 degrees higher or 9 degrees lower than the last reading, it will be regarded as a possible error and discarded."

Does this mean it will only discard the first one or so or does it mean all measurements 9 deg higher than the last valid reading will be ignored.

Anyone have any experience using the M1TZ in this sort of way.

 

[Digger]

I have a problem in our house where there is confusion as to if the dishwasher has been run or not. I was thinking of using a ELK-M1ZTS and the long probe to monitor if hot water has been discharged down the waste pipe, if it has assume a cycle has been run and set an output.

The only problem I could see is mentioned in the manual

"The Control stores each temperature reading but discards rapidly changing readings as follows: If a reading is more than 20 degrees higher or 9 degrees lower than the last reading, it will be regarded as a possible error and discarded."

Does this mean it will only discard the first one or so or does it mean all measurements 9 deg higher than the last valid reading will be ignored.

Anyone have any experience using the M1TZ in this sort of way.

I dont know the answer to that but if it doesnt work maybe a water sensor in the waste pipe as a non alarm zone and put a message on a keypad until you press the * button? Might be cheaper to.

Just a thought.

 

[123]

Dishwashers use all sorts of solenoids, relays, and other electromechanical devices to do their magic. There's an electrical schematic stuffed into the unit somewhere (for use by a service technician) that you can use to hack the dishwashwer. If that's too scary, you could attact a microswitch to an appropriate mechanical linkage ... if there is one.

 

[personalt]

I agree with others.. there has to be a wire that goes to 120V or better yet something that drops to ground that you could monitor.

but what is your plan to reset the indicator?

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I did THIS with my old dishwasher with so-so results.

My new dishwasher has a light that comes on after it is finished that I could monitor with a photocell if I want similar to THIS How-To.

 

[cheekymonkey]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, and I had read through other peoples solutions but thought I would try something different.

I had considered a water sensor but discounted it due to the potential for corrosion or contamination of the electrodes.

As it will be a brand new dishwasher I wont be pulling it apart, besides all the modern dishwashers I've looked at dont have any mechanical linkages and use integrated solinoid and valve units.

240V down and a relay off the waste solinoid would be good but normally the wire connectors cant easily be tapped into where they plugin to a connector block so I would have to splice a wire. Wont get the dishwasher for 11mths when the house is completed so when it arrives I will have a look.

Initially reset would be manual (touchscreen web page) but after the warranty had expired it would be micro/magnetic switch triggered by opening the door.

Maybe if the sensor was strapped to the outside of the waste pipe or if it was placed inside the cabinet the temp rise would be slow enough.

I was hoping Spanky would be able to shed some more light on how these work.

 

[Digger]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, and I had read through other peoples solutions but thought I would try something different.

I had considered a water sensor but discounted it due to the potential for corrosion or contamination of the electrodes.

As it will be a brand new dishwasher I wont be pulling it apart, besides all the modern dishwashers I've looked at dont have any mechanical linkages and use integrated solinoid and valve units.

240V down and a relay off the waste solinoid would be good but normally the wire connectors cant easily be tapped into where they plugin to a connector block so I would have to splice a wire. Wont get the dishwasher for 11mths when the house is completed so when it arrives I will have a look.

Initially reset would be manual (touchscreen web page) but after the warranty had expired it would be micro/magnetic switch triggered by opening the door.

Maybe if the sensor was strapped to the outside of the waste pipe or if it was placed inside the cabinet the temp rise would be slow enough.

I was hoping Spanky would be able to shed some more light on how these work.

How about a current sensor? You wont have to hack the dishwasher at all.