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Low water alarm
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<blockquote data-quote="dvcochran" data-source="post: 1648732" data-attributes="member: 38581"><p>I have read through this thread. First, let me be very clear that I am Not trying to sell you anything or any service. Just an older Electrical Engineer and 3rd generation beef cattleman. I am in middle TN and have done control & automation all my life. </p><p>One thing that helps the most when trying to design a wide spread or distributed system like yours is a sketch. A simple line drawing that identifies each individual item at each location. For example "Tank1" then describe what is physically at that location; Tank 1 has one pump with no level control or Tank 1 has a mechanical float switch, etc... You have to build your layout. </p><p>SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and has been around a very long time and costs have gone down exponentially. No matter how you paint it or what you call it this is what you need to build.</p><p>Going purely off your photos it appears you do not have much if any power infrastructure at the remote locations. However, if there is a pump at each location that is a start, and solar is another good option. Either setup requires hardware and modifications to the existing system. </p><p>Another big question is how capable are you to do some/all of the work yourself? Trying to break it down into meaningful points, you need a device(s) to provide a signal (input) from multiple locations. Installation is one of the most important things here. Simple on the front side does not always mean reliable or serviceable for the long term. And you must consider what other things you will be able to do for very little additional costs, and these costs can be spread out. This is called a scalar system or installation. We do this a Lot in the water and waste water industry. </p><p>So lets take one of your tanks. The typical things that are monitored are tank level, water flow, pump running, pump tripped. Ancillary things that are often monitored such as the source needing water and the pump Not running may not be necessary in you application. So you need devices at each location to read/measure the conditions you want to monitor. And you need something to receive this information and interpret it into meaningful data which can be sent to your phone, PC, etc... In simplest terms this is SCADA. Telemetry is a sending the remote signals wirelessly. </p><p>If you understand this so far you probable understand there are several ways to monitor flow and level, but nothing it 100% reliable 100% of the time for ever. So this is where the financial decisions begin. I have helped design systems that get as close as possible to 100% + 100% and have helped design systems as close as possible within a given budget. If you have a decent understanding of the hardware being used and electrical wiring you can do some/a lot of fieldwork yourself. But you will likely need help sending the signals remotely, receiving them and doing something with them. </p><p>When figuring cost you will need to figure out how many data points you will have. In your case there is a physical element and a wireless element. If you are set to do this yourself you could help with the learning curve by doing it at one remote location using an expandable system. Start simple; take one of your tanks and measure level and flow; 2 data points. Start with what/how you will provide power. If you have a continuous power source (pump power) you could add local motor control and create a distribution panel for telemetry (signaling) power. Or install a solar system for signal power). Power it the key. </p><p>I am glad to help you build the layout and physical needs. Again, the starting point is a sketch to talk around. </p><p>Lastly, check out <a href="https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/home/home?gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmL_uRVqSdh8f_cPTFouR9cSs3j8YIYhfC7yu8MK9lY5c1sCEDJWjlQaAg2AEALw_wcB#bodycontentppc" target="_blank">Automation Direct</a> . They are as cheap on control as anyone I know. And are very good with support. They may not have everything you need but a good place to start and learn. </p><p>Also check ebay. I have purchased a ton of control stuff there and have been shocked at some of the stuff I have found there.</p><p>Let me know if I can help.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dvcochran, post: 1648732, member: 38581"] I have read through this thread. First, let me be very clear that I am Not trying to sell you anything or any service. Just an older Electrical Engineer and 3rd generation beef cattleman. I am in middle TN and have done control & automation all my life. One thing that helps the most when trying to design a wide spread or distributed system like yours is a sketch. A simple line drawing that identifies each individual item at each location. For example "Tank1" then describe what is physically at that location; Tank 1 has one pump with no level control or Tank 1 has a mechanical float switch, etc... You have to build your layout. SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and has been around a very long time and costs have gone down exponentially. No matter how you paint it or what you call it this is what you need to build. Going purely off your photos it appears you do not have much if any power infrastructure at the remote locations. However, if there is a pump at each location that is a start, and solar is another good option. Either setup requires hardware and modifications to the existing system. Another big question is how capable are you to do some/all of the work yourself? Trying to break it down into meaningful points, you need a device(s) to provide a signal (input) from multiple locations. Installation is one of the most important things here. Simple on the front side does not always mean reliable or serviceable for the long term. And you must consider what other things you will be able to do for very little additional costs, and these costs can be spread out. This is called a scalar system or installation. We do this a Lot in the water and waste water industry. So lets take one of your tanks. The typical things that are monitored are tank level, water flow, pump running, pump tripped. Ancillary things that are often monitored such as the source needing water and the pump Not running may not be necessary in you application. So you need devices at each location to read/measure the conditions you want to monitor. And you need something to receive this information and interpret it into meaningful data which can be sent to your phone, PC, etc... In simplest terms this is SCADA. Telemetry is a sending the remote signals wirelessly. If you understand this so far you probable understand there are several ways to monitor flow and level, but nothing it 100% reliable 100% of the time for ever. So this is where the financial decisions begin. I have helped design systems that get as close as possible to 100% + 100% and have helped design systems as close as possible within a given budget. If you have a decent understanding of the hardware being used and electrical wiring you can do some/a lot of fieldwork yourself. But you will likely need help sending the signals remotely, receiving them and doing something with them. When figuring cost you will need to figure out how many data points you will have. In your case there is a physical element and a wireless element. If you are set to do this yourself you could help with the learning curve by doing it at one remote location using an expandable system. Start simple; take one of your tanks and measure level and flow; 2 data points. Start with what/how you will provide power. If you have a continuous power source (pump power) you could add local motor control and create a distribution panel for telemetry (signaling) power. Or install a solar system for signal power). Power it the key. I am glad to help you build the layout and physical needs. Again, the starting point is a sketch to talk around. Lastly, check out [URL='https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/home/home?gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmL_uRVqSdh8f_cPTFouR9cSs3j8YIYhfC7yu8MK9lY5c1sCEDJWjlQaAg2AEALw_wcB#bodycontentppc']Automation Direct[/URL] . They are as cheap on control as anyone I know. And are very good with support. They may not have everything you need but a good place to start and learn. Also check ebay. I have purchased a ton of control stuff there and have been shocked at some of the stuff I have found there. Let me know if I can help. [/QUOTE]
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