Water Level Monitor Project

Arduino UNO

Arduino Nano

Arduino Mega 1280/2560

NodeMCU 0.9 / 1.0

Wemos D1 Mini

ESP32 DevKit

Ethernet shield Wiznet W5100

Ethernet module Wiznet W5500

Ethernet module PHY LAN8720

Ethernet module ENC28J60

HC-SR04

HY-SRF05

JSN-SR04T

Parallax PING)))™

DYP-ME007

Unlock the power of water level monitoring with our IoT Dashboard, featuring a dynamic web interface that serves as the central hub for visualizing accurate measurements. Our system utilizes ultrasonic sensors, including popular models like HC-SR04 and its waterproof variant JSN-SR04T, to record data about the water level in dug wells through a sensor node equipped with a microcontroller. In addition to HC-SR04 and JSN-SR04T, our program supports various sensors with Trigger/Echo signals, such as RCW, US-XXX, IOE-SR0X, SR0X, HC-SR0X, HY-SRF0X, DYP-MEXXX, and Parallax PING)))™ series, providing flexibility in implementation. The sensor node routinely conducts 10 averaged measurements with the ultrasonic sensor every 5 minutes. The recorded values are then transmitted to the server via multiple interface options, including WiFi, Ethernet, IoT network LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, or Sigfox. Experience real-time data representation on the dashboard, showcasing the current water level along with volume conversion for the well and a trend analysis compared to the previous measurement. Delve into historical data through tabular or graphical representations with line graphs, allowing users to track water level trends over time. Our web interface is responsive, adapting seamlessly to screens of smartphones, computers, tablets, and Smart TVs for a user-friendly experience. Upon receiving data, our backend corrects the measured water level to the actual depth of the well, compensating for the sensor's transmission of differential water levels. Using the real height of the water level and the known diameter of the well, our web interface calculates the volume of the well in liters, providing valuable insights for effective well management. Optimize your water level monitoring with our IoT Dashboard—precision, flexibility, and connectivity at your fingertips.

Ultrasonic sensors operate by sending a Trigger signal with a 10 μs duration, which reflects off the water surface and returns as the Echo. The Time-of-Flight method calculates the time between transmission and reception to determine the distance of the water level from the sensor. The speed of sound is calculated at 343 m/s at a temperature of 20 °C, forming the basis for accurate distance measurement. An essential parameter is the beam width, representing the detection characteristic. The HC-SR04 sensor features a narrow 15° detection characteristic, making it suitable for narrower wells and tanks. While the HC-SR04 is ideal for narrower environments, it is not waterproof and has a higher risk of corrosion in wet conditions. Therefore, placing it above the well is recommended to minimize the impact of humidity. The JSN-SR04T, a waterproof sensor, has a wider 60° detection characteristic. However, this limits its use in narrow wells, as the beam widens with distance. A larger well diameter is required (e.g., 6 meters diameter for a well depth of 4.5 meters) to guarantee accurate measurements without reflections. Ultrasonic sensors, in general, are maintenance-free. However, the JSN-SR04T sensor has a control electronic board that should not be exposed to moisture and water. The sensors, including JSN-SR04T, can measure a maximum height of approximately 400 to 450 cm, providing a versatile range for various well depths. Understanding the intricacies of ultrasonic water level sensors empowers effective monitoring, ensuring precision and reliability in diverse environmental conditions. Explore placement strategies and the features of HC-SR04 and JSN-SR04T for optimal results in your water level measurement system.

Enhance your well monitoring experience with our advanced web interface, backed by a powerful backend that leverages trigonometry to estimate the maximum depth of your well. This innovative solution is designed to calculate the optimal depth for each sensor, based on its unique characteristics, making it accessible even for those unfamiliar with sensor selection. The project seamlessly integrates with microcontrollers, with the option to use the widely popular Arduino platform (Uno/Mega) in revision R3. This compatibility extends to Ethernet shields communicating via the ICSP interface. Alternatively, Ethernet modules such as Wiznet W5100, W5500, and USR-ES1, as well as MicroChip's ENC28J60 with software TCP stack, are fully supported, enabling HTTP connectivity on port 80. Explore the versatility of WiFi microcontrollers, including Espressif Systems' ESP8266 and ESP32, both of which offer various operating modes such as StandBy, StandBy + OTA for remote firmware updates, and deep sleep mode for ultra-low-power applications. The ESP microcontrollers stand out by providing encrypted communication through the HTTPS protocol. ESP32 goes a step further, allowing the use of PHY Ethernet with the LAN8720 RMII interface, supporting both HTTP and HTTPS connections. Security is a priority with the incorporation of Root CA certificates in .pem format directly into the source code of the microcontrollers, stored in flash memory (PROGMEM) to optimize RAM usage. These certificates, issued for 10 to 20 years, eliminate the need for frequent renewals. Effortlessly access real-time data on water level and volume in JSON format through the web interface. Take your well monitoring to the next level by integrating our water level monitor project via MQTT into popular home automation platforms like Hassio, Domoticz, and Loxone. Visualize data on dedicated dashboards such as Grafana, Ubidots, Thingsboard, or Cayenne. Empower your peripheral control capabilities by using data from the web interface to manage irrigation, watering, and domestic waterworks. Elevate your well monitoring experience with our user-friendly and technologically advanced solution, catering to both experts and novices alike.

Screenshots of Water Level monitor webapp

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UART output of sensor nodes - FreeRTOS - ESP32:

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