After I published this blog one of the customers who suggested a design suitable for automation was gracious enough to share a picture showing how he outfitted his unit:
Thank you Sergio L. of Florida for your feedback and for allowing the use of your picture!
As an old school mechanical engineer I have always had a tendency to try and minimize the use of anything electrical in my designs.
Case in point, the low salt indicator, that I proudly boasted required no electricity or electronic components.
Well, that was short lived: Two customers have already inquired about a different design suitable for both home and industrial automation.
There are commercially available units that will send a message to your phone, or will turn on an LED on a remotely located receiver in the user's home; however, what these particular customers want is something simple that will hook to their already existing equipment.
Out goes my pride, in comes the new version of the low salt level indicator, incorporating the changes required to meet the customers' needs:
- A built-in Neodymium magnet to trigger a reed switch connected to their automated control circuitry,
- Mounting locations for a custom designed bracket that will hold the switch of their choice,
- A water tight float to enable use of the product with liquid media,
- A new, more chemically resistant string than the original nylon, to allow use of the product with chemicals other than just water softener salt.
Of course, with the broader application options than just monitoring water softener salt level, the product title also enjoyed an overhaul and is now called "Low Level Indicator for Liquid or Solid Media".
And here is the final product:
