This circuit is like a super fancy dipstick for your tank!
Instead of the old way of checking water levels with a stick this circuit uses sensors to measure the water.
Then, it shows the water level as a number 0 to 9 on a cool digital display like a tiny calculator screen.
So, you can always know exactly how much water is in your tank without any guessing.
Circuit Working:
Parts List:
| Category | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Resistors | 560k | 9 |
| 12k | 4 | |
| 33k | 4 | |
| 470Ω | 7 | |
| Semiconductors | IC 74HC147 | 1 |
| IC CD4511 | 1 | |
| Transistor BC547 | 4 | |
| Other | 7 segment common cathode display | 1 |
| Water Tank | 1 |
Water tank water level indicators often use LEDs to display the water level.
However, we introduce a digital version of this indicator that employs a 7 segment display to numerically show the water level from 0 to 9.
This numeric water indicator operates on a 5V regulated power supply and consists of a priority encoder IC 74HC147 IC1, a BCD to 7 segment decoder IC CD4511 IC2, a 7 segment display LTS543 DIS1, and several discrete components.
When the tank is empty all inputs of IC1 remain high causing its output to also stay high.
This high output keeps all inputs of IC2 low, displaying ‘0’ on LTS543 to indicate an empty tank.
As the water level rises to position L1, the display changes to ‘1’ and as it reaches L8, the display shows ‘8.’
When the tank is full all inputs of IC1 go low, making its output low and all inputs of IC2 high displaying ‘9’ to indicate a full tank.
Assemble this circuit on a general purpose PCB enclose it in a box and mount the LTS543 on the front panel.
Use corrosion resistant conductive metal stainless steel strips for sensors L 1 to L 9 and ground.
Formulas:
Using the circuit components such as ICs 74HC147 and CD4511, you may construct a water level indicator circuit with a digital display by first setting up a system that measures the water level and shows it on a 7-segment display.
This is a accurate guide with calculations and formulas:
Sensing of Water Level:
Depending on the water level, you may adjust the voltage level using a series of resistors.
Put resistors in the tank at various heights.
The voltage at the sensor point changes as a result of the rising water connecting various resistors.
Formula for Voltage Divider:
In order to determine the output voltage at various water levels:
Vout = Vin × RL / RS + RL
where,
- Vout is voltage of the output
- Vin is input voltage 5V.
- RL is resistance in relation to the water
- RS is series resistor
Using the parts you already have, this configuration enables you to see the water level in the tank on a digital display.
How to Build:
To build a Water Level Indicator Circuit with Digital Display follow the below mentioned connections steps:
- Connect pins 8 of IC1 to ground and pin 16 to positive power supply.
- Connect pins 3, 4 and 16 of IC2 to positive power supply and pin 5 and 8 to ground.
- Connect pins 10, 5, 4, 3 , 2, 1 , 13, 12 , 11 of IC1 to sensors L 1 to L 9 respectively and common to ground through resistors R1 to R9 respectively.
- Connect pins 14, 15, 9 , 10, 11 ,12, 13 of IC2 to 7 segment common display through resistors R18 to R24.
- Connect pins 14, 6, 7 , 9 of IC1 to the bases of T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively via resistors R10, R11, R12 and R13 respectively.
Note:
- Make sure to mount the components on a general purpose PCB and enclose them in a suitable box.
- Place the 7 segment display LTS543 on the front panel of the box for easy viewing.
- Adjust the sensor strips according to the desired water level positions in your tank.
Conclusion:
A Water Level Indicator Circuit with digital display offers a precise and easy to read method for monitoring water levels in tanks or containers.
By utilizing a digital display this circuit provides a numerical representation of the water level enhancing, accuracy and convenience compared to traditional LED based indicators.