Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

westbranch · January 2011

Any one use something like this?

Item # 3 on the page:

http://www.bolec.com.au/Custom.html

stephendv · January 2011

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.

waynefromnscanada · January 2011

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.

stephendv · January 2011

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.

blackswan555 · January 2011

Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

Latest update on mine

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

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

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

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/

mike95490 · January 2011

Re: Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

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

Mike
48V 400ah

blackswan555 · January 2011

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

Battery Electrolyte Level Probe

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