Sump Water Level Indicator - Visual: Methods Sought - Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Submitted by iwp on April 25, 2009 - 01:38
I have built a large RWH Storage Tank (Sump) for our house in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Water from this tank would be pumped to an overhead tank for domestic use. The pump will be switched on and off by a Caretaker. I am not thinking of an automatic pumping system here.
Is it possible to install in a Mechanical Gauge so that the Caretaker can see the water level in the Sump before he switches on the pump? The Caretaker also has to know the level to decide whether rain water has to be let into the Sump or let out (if the sump is full).
I want to avoid having to open the lid of the Sump each time we want to check the water level. Electrical Gauge may not be the best solution here due to frequent power cuts. I will be thankful if you can guide me as to what type of gauge / equipment would suit this requirement and from where I can source it. Contact information of vendors / dealers may please be given.
V Venkatesh
Comments
1.
Dear V Venkatesh,
Now days there are number of automatic water level sensors in market. Purpose built sensors may be installed for the purpose.
With regards,
D. Chakraborty
Scientist
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)
New Delhi
2.
Dear Mr Venkatesh,
From what you have written I realize that you are not really a very technically oriented person.
I don’t know where ( if) one can really purchase a mechanical level gauge but we have seen and installed some level indicators/ mechanical as well as electronic. You too could fabricate one such for you use
Fro the mechanical level indicator one requires a pully to the installed above the tank at a level which is slightly more than the depth of the tank, ( e.g. if tank is 10 ft the pulley should be installed at 13 ft , a nylon rope which is slightly more than two times the distance of the pulley and the tank, two one liter cans plastic filled little more than half and the other slightly less than half with water and sealed, so that they tend to float on water .
Tie each of this can on the ends of the nylon rope. put the one with more water in the tank and the other will be up as the water level in the tank will rise the other can will automatically move downwards, mark the empty and full levels accordingly.
The other option is to use a continuity tester which has a led and a resistor in it and attach wires of various lengths and connecting it to switches for pre determined levels of water in the tank. This system can be used with a 9 volt battery and will last a long time on just one battery, probably as a precaution and to be on the safe side one could change the battery once a year. If you cannot do it ask any electrician to make he necessary switch board for you it is very simple and definitely works and is practical and very inexpensive.
Hope that this helps you.
Regards
Dr Anil Lalwani
http://www.wellwaterworks.com
3.
Dear Venkatesh
Mechanical dial type level gauges will be best suited for under ground water sump. These type of level gauges are easily available in market. One stainless steel float with wire rope is fixed inside sump. this float goes up down as water level goes up down. to minimise the error in reading this float is guided by two wires so that any movement in water does not make is displaced from its position.
A 12 inches dial with needles can measure even one mm depth(least count). It needs no electricity and is easy to read for a layman also.
regards
AK Singla
4.
Dear VVenkatesh,
Taking this further after Dr. Chakrabothy's response.
Simple float type of gauges have been fitted by most PHD Water Supply Deptt. in water sumps.
The float gauges keep going up-down when tank is full the float is up and hence the indicator is down, and reverse when the tank is empty(MT) the float is up.
Hence there is an inverted scale to give instant indication of water-level.
The arrangement is simple, there are 2 pipes kept in tank of similar bore-4".
In one there is a float, say a cylindrical in shape 3.5" d and 6" long, made of w/tight ms material, with a connecting hook, to a wire which goes around a pulley and the wire is led to the next pipe having a simple small weight with an arrow afixed.
I trust this should be clear.
pl feel free to be in touch we can send you a diagram of the same.
with well wishes from Vigyan Vijay,
Er. Ajit Seshadri,
The Vigyan Vijay Foundation
Er. Ajit Seshadri,Head- Environment, The Vigyan Vijay Foundation
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