Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

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westbranch
westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
in Solar Product Reviews & Opinions #1
Any one use something like this?

Item # 3 on the page:

http://www.bolec.com.au/Custom.html
 
KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
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Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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  • stephendv
    stephendv Solar Expert Posts: 1,571 ✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

    Not yet and not quite. Waiting for a replacement JSA sensor to arrive: http://www.jsaphotonics.com/page8.html
    Although it's designed to measure SG, it also has the option of a liquid level sensor.
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  • waynefromnscanada
    waynefromnscanada Solar Expert Posts: 3,009 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe
    stephendv wrote: »
    Not yet and not quite. Waiting for a replacement JSA sensor to arrive: http://www.jsaphotonics.com/page8.html
    Although it's designed to measure SG, it also has the option of a liquid level sensor.

    Well now, that sounds like a dream come true, if it works and is affordable.
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  • stephendv
    stephendv Solar Expert Posts: 1,571 ✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

    $50 for the sensor itself, about the same for the necessary electronics to monitor/log/display the data. Blackswan55 and myself are going to be experimenting with these to see how well they work. The initial project will just be to create an SG data logger, based on the open source Arduino module, that displays momentary SG and logs it to an SD card. From that base we can then extend the project with a networked version and one that can control relays based on the sensor readings.
    Early days yet.
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  • blackswan555
    blackswan555 Solar Expert Posts: 246 ✭✭
    #5
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    Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

    Latest update on mine :D number 1 is kinda working, I am getting a stable 0.5 v shift 1.200 > 1.270, this using the Arduino is switching a battery charger and a 100w 12v bulb on and off alternatively, It`s not pretty but it is giving stable results, No 2 sensor, I also tried to repair, no luck on that one, No 3 is on its way :D

    Have a good one
    Tim

    PS, The problem we are having is the sensors do not seem to like air travel, Arriving with a "bubble" that should not be there, I have tried repairs on both I have, number 1 kinda works but does not have the resolution it should, I failed on No 2 miserable`y, The company have been very good and have sent FOC replacement offered money back and are now sending another replacement with some spare fluid, so If this one is bad I have a better chance of repairing it, I can`t fault them at all :D

    The Sensor reads SG, temp & level, It was Stephen & my idea to use it through Arduino to control gen run, temp compensated on SG`s, and read / send an alarm on low fluid levels,,,,, to your mobile phone, if you want 8) As soon as the carriage is sorted, Not too difficult.ha ha ha
    We are doing this "open source" If you would like to join in please say, If you want a list of the "bit`s" no prob, The sensor is around 75$, the Boards from 30ish$, probably no more than 150$ if you want all the toys, Ethernet, SMS , display etc, The programming is the difficult part for me,
    Please bear in mind the sensor is purely that, you have to give it a 5v regulated power supply, You then "read" 3 x 0>5v outputs, It is not plug and play :D
    My aim is to get it controlling charge "eventually" but at the mo it is a great monitoring tool,

    http://www.jsaphotonics.com/page8.html

    http://arduino.cc/
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
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    Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

    Are you using one sensor for a bank of batteries, or per Cell ?


    Mike
    48V 400ah
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • blackswan555
    blackswan555 Solar Expert Posts: 246 ✭✭
    #7
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    Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

    One at the moment, When I get two working I am going to have a look at it, I think you, With normal servicing will "get away" with just the one for controlling charge, two, 1 placed on your biggest and one on your smallest "mover`s" would also show when EQ was due, 1 per cell maybe a little overkill,
    Tim

    ps, the company did mention it as working on a 24 sensor interface, but it is going to be in the 1000`s
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