This project utilizes an MCU (Arduino Nano, in my case) to control the borehole pump and implement additional functionalities such as tank level monitoring and potentially water filter monitoring.
To regulate the pump's on/off states, use a 3-wire pressure sensor powered by 5V. The sensor output voltage ranges from 0.5V to 4.5V, depending on the pressure. Some example sensor options I have used include:
- 0 to 75 psi
- 0 to 100 psi
- 0 to 145 psi
To ensure the longevity of the pump and prevent overheating, consider the following precautions:
If the water pressure changes too quickly between on and off due to insufficient gas in the expansion tank, it can cause overheating. To mitigate this, impose a minimum time delay between turning the pump on, off, and then on again.
It's advisable to incorporate a mechanism to detect if the pump has lost its prime and is running dry. Running the pump without water can also lead to overheating and damage. Consider using 1-Wire temperature sensors, amp sensors, and/or water flow sensors to assist with this.
Implement a separate system to monitor the tank level. This will allow you to keep track of the water level and take appropriate action as needed.
Consider integrating a water filtering monitoring mechanism into the system to ensure water quality. This will help remove impurities and improve the overall water condition.
- Read pump pressure.
- Minimum turn on time.
- LCD or some other display to show setting and state.
- Add some optional buttons to set values
- Add some sort of menu to set the turn on off pressure.
- Add temperature setup to the menu.
- Add a report problems function: cell phone text or maybe LoRa network etc.