Whether or not you’ve gotten a water tank on your backyard, swimming pool, or family, a wi-fi water stage alarm can offer you peace of thoughts. Learn to construct a DIY wi-fi alarm that you would be able to customise on your wants.

Why Construct a Wi-fi Water/Salt Tank Degree Alarm?

We beforehand shared a DIY undertaking to construct a water stage sensor with an ultrasonic sensor for Residence Assistant. The gadget we constructed is a single unit linked by wires and a direct energy provide. It requires a Residence Assistant software program set up to work.

Nonetheless, the one we’re going to construct right this moment consists of a transmitter module and a receiver module that talk with one another and transmit the information wirelessly to point out you the water or salt stage in actual time. This doesn’t require Residence Assistant to work or present the extent, though you’ll be able to simply combine it with Residence Assistant if required.

By constructing a wi-fi water tank stage indicator cum alarm, you’ll be able to overcome quite a few points related to wired alarms:

• It’s simpler to put in as you don’t must cross any wires by or alongside the partitions or ceilings.
• You’ll be able to construct one transmitter, mount it on the tank, after which construct two or extra receivers and set up them with none problem at a number of areas primarily based in your wants.
• Since there are not any wires, you don’t must examine on put on and tear usually.
• Utilizing no wires saves you some additional bucks.
• You’ll be able to place the receiver at any location and never restricted as within the case of wired water stage alarms/indicators.
• There’s no threat of voltage leak or energy loss (threat of shock).

Issues You Will Want

You’ll need the next gadgets to construct a DIY water stage sensor cum alarm.

• ESP8266 microcontroller, reminiscent of NodeMCU or D1 Mini
• 433MHz wi-fi transmitter and receiver module—purchase one or construct your personal utilizing HT12E/HT12D encoder decoder ICs and 433MHz transmitter and receiver circuit modules
• Breadboard or PCB (printed circuit board)
• Jumper wires
• Digital elements (check with the circuit diagrams for extra particulars)
• Soldering iron and solder
• Screwdriver and pliers
• 4.2V Li-Ion battery for transmitter circuit

Step 1: Circuit Design for the Wi-fi Water Tank Alarm

Discuss with the next circuit diagrams and photographs to attach or solder all of the required elements. Double-check the circuit diagram and your connections with the elements on the breadboard or PCB for any errors or lacking connections earlier than transferring on to the subsequent step.

433MHz water tank stage receiver circuit diagram:

The completed 433MHz water tank stage receiver circuit constructed on a breadboard:

433MHz water tank stage transmitter circuit diagram:

The 433MHz water tank stage transmitter circuit constructed on a breadboard:

Within the transmitter circuit, you’ll be able to join 4 float switches (join the frequent wire to all float switches after which the information wires) and put them in your water tank as proven within the transmitter circuit diagram. As soon as the water stage reaches a sure stage, the float swap will activate and ship a excessive sign to the receiver module which can then activate the respective LED on.

You may additionally use metallic strips and paste them on the within floor of the water tank as a substitute of float switches. Nonetheless, when you use this water for ingesting, use float switches or construct the ultrasonic water stage sensor.

Step 2: Check the Wi-fi Water Tank Alarm

Earlier than putting in the wi-fi water tank alarm, you will need to check it totally and guarantee it’s working as meant. Take an empty bucket and insert all of the float switches contained in the tank. Make certain they’re at totally different ranges to one another, as proven within the transmitter circuit diagram.

Then join the facility supply to the transmitter and receiver modules. Begin filling the tank with water. Because the water stage rises, the primary float swap ought to activate and you must see an LED begin glowing on the receiver module. Equally, all LEDs ought to gentle up as quickly as different float switches begin floating on the water (because the water stage rises).

Subsequent, you must transfer the receiver and transmitter models away from one another and examine the vary at which they will talk inside your premises. Make certain the information is obtained efficiently and LEDs are turning on/off primarily based on the transmitted knowledge.

Should you want additional vary, attempt putting in the antenna (if it comes with the module, or you should buy a separate antenna for each transmitter and receiver modules).

Step 3: Set up the Wi-fi Water Degree Alarm within the Tank

As soon as you might be glad with the testing, it’s possible you’ll go forward and set up the wi-fi water tank alarm. Make certain to maintain the transmitter module exterior the water tank in a safe field, ideally a plastic container or 3D-printed case sealed with silicone for climate safety.

Step 4: Pair With Residence Assistant for Automation

Moreover, you’ll be able to join a NodeMCU or D1 Mini microcontroller to the receiver circuit and make your wi-fi water tank system good. By pairing the circuit with Residence Assistant, you’ll be able to create automations, reminiscent of turning off the water pump as quickly because the water stage reaches 100% and vice versa.

You can even add an automation to obtain notifications in your smartphone on the standing of the water stage in your tank(s).

All it’s worthwhile to do is prolong the receiver circuit with a NodeMCU or D1 Mini, as proven within the circuit digram under. Then compile/flash the code under utilizing the ESPHome.

To study extra about find out how to code in ESPHome, compile firmware, and flash it onto the NodeMCU or D1 Mini, check with our information on find out how to make a wi-fi doorbell with Residence Assistant.

Make certain to stick the code under captive_portal:

 captive_portal:
web_server:
  port: 80
binary_sensor:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO16
    title: "100% Water - Tank Full"
    device_class: movement
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO14
    title: "75% Water"
    device_class: movement
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO12
    title: "50% Water"
    device_class: movement
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO13
    title: "25% Water"
    device_class: movement 

You can even go to the IP tackle of the NodeMCU or D1 Mini (as soon as linked to the Wi-Fi community and Residence Assistant) to view the standing.

Save Water and Energy With a DIY Wi-fi Water Tank Alarm

Constructing your personal DIY wi-fi water tank alarm is a rewarding and cost-effective undertaking. The undertaking, if deployed, can provide you peace of thoughts by saving water waste, energy, and cash. Not like wired water tank alarms, this may be simply deployed and is finest suited for many who don’t need to mess with wiring round their premises.