ddahl84
Well-Known Member
My DIY water sensor control panel.
For the last couple of weeks I have been working on a controller to automatically fill the HLT to a desired volume, then turn off and sound an alarm. At first it was going to be a old garden timer with an on off sensor for the power to the garden timer. After a little brainstorming and trial and error I came up with a control box that with a push of a button turns on the water, then it can be set to turn off automatically at 3,4,5 or 6 gallons. It also has four LEDs that show what the current level is. As it gets to 3gals the LED comes on, at 4gals and so on. This is just the beginning of a semi automatic brewery going from outside to my basement. The circuit that controls the thing is really simple so if anyone wants more info on building one let me know.
Here's a few pics that might explain it a little better. .
I would also like to see other water sensors if anyone uses one.
Oh yeah and the sensor that actually goes in the kettle is still a work in progress. Might be made out of PVC but not sure about PVC being in 170F water. It needs to be a removable "stick" that holds metal pieces that triggers and completes the circuit.
For the last couple of weeks I have been working on a controller to automatically fill the HLT to a desired volume, then turn off and sound an alarm. At first it was going to be a old garden timer with an on off sensor for the power to the garden timer. After a little brainstorming and trial and error I came up with a control box that with a push of a button turns on the water, then it can be set to turn off automatically at 3,4,5 or 6 gallons. It also has four LEDs that show what the current level is. As it gets to 3gals the LED comes on, at 4gals and so on. This is just the beginning of a semi automatic brewery going from outside to my basement. The circuit that controls the thing is really simple so if anyone wants more info on building one let me know.
Here's a few pics that might explain it a little better. .
I would also like to see other water sensors if anyone uses one.
Oh yeah and the sensor that actually goes in the kettle is still a work in progress. Might be made out of PVC but not sure about PVC being in 170F water. It needs to be a removable "stick" that holds metal pieces that triggers and completes the circuit.