Volume Measurement

[kh54s10]

@BrunDog: The filter for the data above was a rolling average of 20 readings @ 1 reading per 5msec. Didn't even try to optimize it...
I am still working out how to mount the final solution but for now I slid some soft small dia hose over the end of the sensor and then jammed it into the end of a piece of soft copper tubing. This is not meant to be permanent. Hold your breath b/c there is a lot in the pics that is scabbed together atm.

@kh54s10: theKraken nailed it:rockin:. I want to load the grain, 'push Go' and let the system deliver cooled wort without my intervention.
If my numbers are correct I could pull off ~7gallon batches but I plan to target 4 gallons. My goal is variety over volume. If that changes, I'll just need to swap out for larger kettles. Its just another variable to my software.
If I was using this strictly for level sensing I could pull probably it off for ~$35 using inc micro controller & LCD display. Not sure what a decent sight glass costs but this solution is probably competitive.

I guess you need this for a set it and forget it system though looking at the links I saw sensors for $300 + That is way more than a sight glass.

Good luck. I see the commercial automated breweries spending years figuring out the system and most cost thousands of $$.

 

[BrunDog]

bheinecke, two comments, please take as constructive: first, your filter is excellent, but you probably don't need to calculate that rapidly. I do weighted average every 1/2 second, 25% new and 75% existing. That said, if your controller is doing nothing else, no harm done. Second, the tube method you used will report accurately until the temperature goes cooler. For a mash tun it never does. For for a BK, if you cool into it (whirlpool, etc.) it will read incorrectly as the air in the tube's volume shrinks and draws liquid up into it. From boiling to ambient, that's a 35% volume change, representing about a third of the vessels volume. Again, no issue if not cooling the measured liquid.

 

[bheinecke]

@kh54s10: I paid around $15 for the MPX5010GP I am using.
Challenge accepted

@Brundog: I appreciate the advice! At some point I will return to that that filter but for now I just tossed in some numbers, they worked, so I moved on.
My pics are of a joint HLT/BK in a 2 vessel system (I call it my BLT ). Based on your findings, I will hit this issue shortly after I incorporate the heating element and start looking at the heating/cooling cycles.
At some point along this journey someone posted on that issue and had their pressure sensor mounted at the bottom of their vessel to deal with that issue (actually..I could have sworn it was you) and I have a weldless bulkhead + camlock fittings waiting in the wings. I am just holding off drilling another hole in my kettle until I know I need it.

 

[BrunDog]

Cool. As long as you know. Other people have used a small air pump to keep air all the way to the bottom. I didn't like that design so I did the mount underneath. So yes it was me. Anyway not trying to flex my chest, just share learnings.

 

[bheinecke]

To be honest the reason for the pump escaped me until you explained what happens as the liquid cools. I had heard about it but thought it was more to do with boiling. Thanks for the education

 

[BrunDog]

I am going to try a side mount in my BK. Since I don't need to measure to the bottom, I will solder a half 1/8" coupling and use a small stainless barb fitting. The key is to eliminate as much vertical air space as possible.