James Wynn 🧐
I got tired of my espresso machine running out of water unexpectedly. There were two clear options: remember to fill it regularly OR #OverEngineer the problem away! With an #ESP32 and a sonar distance sensor, I now have the water level displayed in #HomeAssistant, and an automatic alert on my phone when it drops before 10%.
Mar 17, 2023 at 7:14pmFedilab
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 17, 2023
I should clarify that it's an ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04), not "sonar".
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 17, 2023

The HC-SR04 sensor does not seem to be terribly consistent, so I'm really considering switching to something else. Maybe the VL53L0X infrared sensor. Bonus, it's way smaller too. Anyone have experience with it?

#ESP32 #embedded #hardwarehacking #HomeAutomtion

Show threaddanimrichMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn The machines I've used usually had some dirt cheap contactless sensor that only distiguished between "empty" and "not empty" and allowed the water tank to be removed. E.g., an optical sensor with a prism in the tank, or a floater disc with a magnetic or electric sensor.
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 19, 2023
@danimrich
That's basically what mine has currently. Really annoying.
Show threaddanimrichMar 19, 2023
@jameswynn Oh, okay. For me, that's usually enough information. Next step up would be a machine that's either plumbed in or fills its tank automatically.
Show threadEd DaviesMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn Why do you think it's not “sonar”? Because it's in air? Because it's ultrasonic?
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 18, 2023
@edavies
Technically it's still "sonar" but it's distinct in that it uses an ultrasonic frequency. Though I've heard reports that some people can hear it, so maybe that's not quite accurate either.
Show threadEd DaviesMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn OK, though I think sonar includes ultrasonic, as does Wikipedia: “The acoustic frequencies used in sonar systems vary from very low (infrasonic) to extremely high (ultrasonic).”
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 18, 2023
@edavies
I don't disagree. My phrasing was not the best.
Show threadThomas WestfeldMar 17, 2023
@jameswynn very cool. I am interested in details :-)
Show threadbeyondwattsMar 17, 2023
@jameswynn I so need to do this! Which sonar distance sensor did you use and how did you power it? Our water jug is inside the machine and not readily accessible 🤔
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 17, 2023
@beyondwatts
Right now it's an HC-SR04 that I stuck to the top of the water reservoir lid. I'm not sure how it will withstand the heat and humidity, but it's a cheap sensor. It took longer to calibrate the custom sensor template in HA than to set up the hardware.
Show thread5Ub-Z3r0Mar 17, 2023
@jameswynn given remembering to check is clearly not working maybe this is the way to go after all
Show threadMartin SchilligerMar 17, 2023
@jameswynn OR add a fixed water supply. 😇
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 17, 2023
@martin_schillig
I've thought about that many times, but it would require either drilling through tile or granite 😬
Show threadLord KelvinMar 17, 2023

@jameswynn
On the ONE hand, I'd like to do the same, because, nerd.

On the OTHER hand, my wife and I each have 2 mugs of Decaf Americano every day. Like clockwork. After that, the bugger's nearly empty. So filling the reservoir is the first thing every morning anyway.

Show threadRutger 🤷‍♂️Mar 17, 2023
@jameswynn i feel you. My attempt was a water resistant one, the SR04M-2. Didn't read the specs so found out the hard way it didn't work. What about the moisture in your setup? Maybe a VL53L0X behind perspex will work
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 18, 2023
@rutgrrr
That's exactly what I'm considering next. I've heard they don't work well in tight spaces though.
Show threadRutger 🤷‍♂️Mar 18, 2023
@jameswynn was thinking that maybe it can be done dead simple bij two wires in the watertank that are pulled HIGH by the water and low when the water lowers.
* disclaimer: I clearly did not study electronic engineering 😂
Show threadRutger 🤷‍♂️Mar 18, 2023
@jameswynn and what about https://aliexpress.com/item/1005004309828489.html doesn't give you the level though, just true/false
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 19, 2023
@rutgrrr
I saw some of those, but I really want a meter so I can tell at a glance if I can pull a shot or need to refill first.
Show threadJamie BoothMar 17, 2023
@jameswynn next a tube and a pump....😁
Show threaddwiedaveMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn I had the same idea! Sadly my ultrasonic sensors did not like the constant moisture… Did you waterproof it?
Show threadjsantosdiasMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn Can you share your project? I have a rain water tank I would like to monitor also!
Show threadErik ✅Mar 18, 2023
@jameswynn Haha I got the same issue with my machine, that's a nice sophisticated solution 😁 👍
Show threadS T E L L A R  Mar 18, 2023
@jameswynn why not fill the container automatically
Show threadLisPiMar 18, 2023

@Stellar @jameswynn That was my expectation on reading "OverEngineer".

A selenoid valve with a water level sensor and some flex piping.

Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 18, 2023
@lispi314
Oh I've definitely been thinking about that. I'm just hesitant to drill through my countertop or tile to run the water line.
@Stellar
Show threadLisPiMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn @Stellar Right, that would be a bit awkward, depending on how one's things are built.
Show threadNCPMar 18, 2023
@jameswynn OMG I need to do this 😆
Show threadGemma 👽Mar 18, 2023
@jameswynn always overengineer!!! 🛠️
Show threadnone gender with left politics Mar 18, 2023
@jameswynn @unlobito hmmm I wonder how hard it'd be to do something like this for my cat's water recirculator tank, which I regularly forget to refill
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 19, 2023
@vikxin
It can actually be even simpler if you just want an alert when it gets too low. They're are some capacitive binary sensors that would work really well.
@unlobito
Show threadSmart Home JunkieMar 19, 2023
@jameswynn Awesome idea! 👍🏻
Show thread(moved)Galbinus Caeli 🌯Mar 19, 2023
@jameswynn what? No solenoid controlled auto fill valve? And you call yourself an engineer.
Show threadJames Wynn 🧐Mar 19, 2023
@SkipHuffman
Oh I'm thinking about that. I just haven't found a water line route that doesn't involve drilling through the counters or tile.