HydroLevelControl: Difference between revisions
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*'''Visual alarm mode''' defines the behavior of the LCD by reaching a defined value. Is useful if the LCD is mounted in a noisy environment or if You have multiple devices installed, and You need to recognize from a bigger distance, which device show the alarm. It can be set to '''Off''' (no action), '''If above value''' (trig the visual alarm if the measured value is above the defined) or '''If below value''' (trig the visual alarm if the measured value is under the defined). |
*'''Visual alarm mode''' defines the behavior of the LCD by reaching a defined value. Is useful if the LCD is mounted in a noisy environment or if You have multiple devices installed, and You need to recognize from a bigger distance, which device show the alarm. It can be set to '''Off''' (no action), '''If above value''' (trig the visual alarm if the measured value is above the defined) or '''If below value''' (trig the visual alarm if the measured value is under the defined). |
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*'''Visual alarm value''' defines a triggering value. It can be a decimal number, like 102.65 . At this value will be the Visual alarm started, if is so configured. |
*'''Visual alarm value''' defines a triggering value. It can be a decimal number, like 102.65 . At this value will be the Visual alarm started, if is so configured. |
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*Speaker alarm mode is same as Visual alarm mode, but is used to trigger the on board speaker. This function is useful in a silent environment to be warned from bigger distance from the measuring place. |
*'''Speaker alarm mode''' is same as Visual alarm mode, but is used to trigger the on board speaker. This function is useful in a silent environment to be warned from bigger distance from the measuring place. |
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*Speaker alarm value have the same function like the Visual alarm value, but for Speaker. |
*'''Speaker alarm value''' have the same function like the Visual alarm value, but for Speaker. |
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*Relay 1 and Relay 2 mode have the same behavior as Visual alarm mode, but for installed relays. |
*'''Relay 1''' and '''Relay 2 mode''' have the same behavior as Visual alarm mode, but for installed relays. |
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*Relay 1 and Relay 2 value have same function like the Visual alarm value, but for relays. |
*'''Relay 1''' and '''Relay 2 value''' have same function like the Visual alarm value, but for relays. |
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*Sensor offset value can define the offset of the different sensors. A pressure transducer works in range from 0 to 5 VDC, but the linear range for measurement is in range of 0.5 VDC (value at 0 pressure) and 4.5 VDC (value at maximal pressure). The difference is 0.5 VDC, and this is a sensor potential offset. The controller measure the potential ot 5VDC in resolution of 1024, so the offset is '''resolution / working potential * sensor potential offset''', practical <code>1024 / 5VDC * 0.5VDC</code> and this is 102.5, rounded to 103 . Other sensors can have other offset, so read the documentation of the sensor that You use, if is not a sensor provided by us. The delivered sensors have an offset of 103. You can test is the offset correct, that after a configuration You leave the sensor without load (no fluid in reservoir) and leave it for 20 minutes so. The reading value at the LCD must be 0.00 . If is the value other, try with other offset, and repeat the test until You have 0.00 without fluid. The offset can be a only a round number like 103, not a decimal. |
*'''Sensor offset value''' can define the offset of the different sensors. A pressure transducer works in range from 0 to 5 VDC, but the linear range for measurement is in range of 0.5 VDC (value at 0 pressure) and 4.5 VDC (value at maximal pressure). The difference is 0.5 VDC, and this is a sensor potential offset. The controller measure the potential ot 5VDC in resolution of 1024, so the offset is '''resolution / working potential * sensor potential offset''', practical <code>1024 / 5VDC * 0.5VDC</code> and this is 102.5, rounded to 103 . Other sensors can have other offset, so read the documentation of the sensor that You use, if is not a sensor provided by us. The delivered sensors have an offset of 103. You can test is the offset correct, that after a configuration You leave the sensor without load (no fluid in reservoir) and leave it for 20 minutes so. The reading value at the LCD must be 0.00 . If is the value other, try with other offset, and repeat the test until You have 0.00 without fluid. The offset can be a only a round number like 103, not a decimal. |
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*LCD custom text Off/On is a parameter that change the default text (by English language: "Measured value") to a Custom text. If is set to on, the text must be entered before save. Is used to distinguish between multiple installed devices, like "Reservoir 7", or to provide additional information like " Molasses volume". Please note that a text can have '''maximal 16 alphanumerical characters'''. |
*'''LCD custom text''' Off/On is a parameter that change the default text (by English language: "Measured value") to a Custom text. If is set to on, the text must be entered before save. Is used to distinguish between multiple installed devices, like "Reservoir 7", or to provide additional information like " Molasses volume". Please note that a text can have '''maximal 16 alphanumerical characters'''. |
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Revision as of 15:19, 25 October 2021
Description
HydroLevelControl is a bundle of hardware and software designed to measure, present and control the level of fluids. Measurement is based on the hydrostatic pressure provided by the fluid above the pressure sensor. The measured pressure value is converted to a requested data format, according to inserted data, like fluid density, reservoir surface, etc. The measured value can be used to activate the visual alarm (blinking LCD display), sound alarm, and two relays. All this can be configured independently.
Take care that this device can be used only on atmospheric pressure. Installation in an over or under pressured environment can permanently damage the sensor and the device!
Background
The device has a pressure sensor, actually a pressure transducer, that is powered with 5 VDC. Depending on the pressure, it produces a different voltage on output that is measured and converted to pressure. Based on the fluid density, is possible to calculate the height of the fluid above the sensor. With the known height and the reservoir surface, can be calculated the volume and the mass of the fluid.
Specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware | |
| Power | 220 VAC or 5 VDC over USB |
| Sensor type | Pressure transducer, 5 VDC |
| Sensor range | 5 - 15 psi |
| Sensor offset | 0.5 VDC (at 0 pressure) to 4.5 VDC (at maximal pressure) |
| Inlet size | 1/8”-27 NPT |
| LCD | 2.9" with blue background light |
| Relay | 2 independent relays, maximal load 2A at 220VAC |
| Software | |
| Operation system | Windows 8 and Windows 10 |
| Communication | Serial over USB, TTL on device |
| Software functions | Configuration and measurement |
Hardware
The hardware information.
Software
HydroLevelControl software is a program designed to read measured data and configure the hardware. It communicates with a USB to Serial TTL, where the TTL is on the hardware side. The software can be downloaded from this page for free. It supports 16 languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Hungarian, Croatian, Slovenian, Serbian (Latin), Czech, Slovakian, Polish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish.
File:HydroLevelControl-Software.png Main screen of HidroLevelControl | |
|---|---|
| Developer | RAPMAS |
| Written in | C# |
| Operating system | Windows |
| Size | Under 1MB |
| Licence | Proprietary software |
| Website | www.rapmas.com/HydroLevelControl/ |
Installation
The installer can be downloaded online. After starting the install process, You will be asked to choose the language of the installation. Please note that a chosen language will be the default language at the first start of the program. It can be changed later at any time. Executable and the supporting files will be installed (by default) to the Program Files folder, and can be started from the Start menu. Also in the Start menu can be accessed the Uninstaller.
Configuration
Connect the device to the USB port. After starting the program, You can see the main configuration window. It is used to configure a device, read the measured data and to save the configurations into the device, and also file.
In the upper right corner is the Connection group box. You must choose the correct Serial port. After this, You have to click on the Connect button. If the Serial port was correct the Status message will be changed to Connected. Under the Status box can be selected the programming language, after a change, the program will restart automatically in a new language. In the left bottom corner will be presented the measured value with the relay status in a blue box with a white text.
Configuration can be loaded and saved from a device and from a file. To read the initial configuration from the device, click to Load button close to "Load from device". It will connect to the device and read out the configuration. The same can be done with a previously stored file, that contains the configuration parameters. Saving the configuration can be done by clicking on the Save button, close to the destination of saving (Device or File). Please note that a program will check is the input data for any parameter is correct or not. In a case of incorrect value, it will not write the configuration to the device or file.
- Device language is a parameter that changes the information language on the LCD screen. It can be different from Program language.
- Pressure sensor (psi) is a maximal value of the installed pressure sensor. Is engraved on the sensor body (5 psi, 15 psi, etc). Can be only a round number, a decimal number is not allowed.
- Fluid density (kg/m3) can be a round number in kilograms per cubicle meter, round number without decimal. Below is a table with the density of the most used fluids in the industry:
| Fluid | Density (kg/m3) |
|---|---|
| Wather | 1000 |
| Ethanol (99%) | 789 |
| Disel | 845 |
| Gasoline | 755 |
| Molasses | 1600 |
- Reservoir surface (dm2) is used to calculate the volume an and weight of the fluids in reservoir. Is presented as round number, without decimal. For example, if the reservoir is round with a diameter of 1.2m, the surface is 3.77 m2 and this is 377 dm2 . If not needed, just write 1 as value.
- Unit is the metric system in which the device will present the measured value. The device supports next values: mm, cm, dm, m, l (liter), kg, m3, and t (ton).
- LCD brightness (0-100) is a parameter to determinate the background illumination of the LCD. At 0 value is the light off, by 100 is the maximal brightness. In a visual alarm mode, the illumination will move from 0 to 100 and back.
- % mode is made to hide the exact data of a height, volume, mass or any other unit and present it in %. For example, if the reservoir is full at level of 1600 mm, at the 800mm level the device will show 50.00% instead of exact level. To use this mode, You must choose the same unit as in "Unit" parameter above.
- Value at 100% is a round number (decimal not accepted) of the value selected in % mode at maximal value. For example if You wish to calculate with 250 liters as 100%, write 250 and choose l (liter) for % mode. In this case, at volume of 100 liters, the device will show 40%.
- Visual alarm mode defines the behavior of the LCD by reaching a defined value. Is useful if the LCD is mounted in a noisy environment or if You have multiple devices installed, and You need to recognize from a bigger distance, which device show the alarm. It can be set to Off (no action), If above value (trig the visual alarm if the measured value is above the defined) or If below value (trig the visual alarm if the measured value is under the defined).
- Visual alarm value defines a triggering value. It can be a decimal number, like 102.65 . At this value will be the Visual alarm started, if is so configured.
- Speaker alarm mode is same as Visual alarm mode, but is used to trigger the on board speaker. This function is useful in a silent environment to be warned from bigger distance from the measuring place.
- Speaker alarm value have the same function like the Visual alarm value, but for Speaker.
- Relay 1 and Relay 2 mode have the same behavior as Visual alarm mode, but for installed relays.
- Relay 1 and Relay 2 value have same function like the Visual alarm value, but for relays.
- Sensor offset value can define the offset of the different sensors. A pressure transducer works in range from 0 to 5 VDC, but the linear range for measurement is in range of 0.5 VDC (value at 0 pressure) and 4.5 VDC (value at maximal pressure). The difference is 0.5 VDC, and this is a sensor potential offset. The controller measure the potential ot 5VDC in resolution of 1024, so the offset is resolution / working potential * sensor potential offset, practical
1024 / 5VDC * 0.5VDCand this is 102.5, rounded to 103 . Other sensors can have other offset, so read the documentation of the sensor that You use, if is not a sensor provided by us. The delivered sensors have an offset of 103. You can test is the offset correct, that after a configuration You leave the sensor without load (no fluid in reservoir) and leave it for 20 minutes so. The reading value at the LCD must be 0.00 . If is the value other, try with other offset, and repeat the test until You have 0.00 without fluid. The offset can be a only a round number like 103, not a decimal. - LCD custom text Off/On is a parameter that change the default text (by English language: "Measured value") to a Custom text. If is set to on, the text must be entered before save. Is used to distinguish between multiple installed devices, like "Reservoir 7", or to provide additional information like " Molasses volume". Please note that a text can have maximal 16 alphanumerical characters.