Spa (or pool) Water level monitoring

[richard_canada]

I am looking for a device that can monitor when my very remote spa (400km away) loses water (water leakage)
I lose a pump every times this happens (no 3 now). The Everspring ZWave Water and Flood Sensor (ST812)
claims that it can do just this but as I understand in vera it lust appears as a motion sensor when water goes up
and not the opposite warning me when water goes below a certain level.

I am not a programmer but this is the function/command vera should be using (event clear should be when water goes down)
(and event present should report their is sufficient water).

SENSOR ALARM REPORT Command:
Event Present:
[Command Class Sensor Alarm, Sensor Alarm Report, Sensor Type
Water Leak Alarm State = 255 (0xFF), Seconds = 0x00]
Event Clear:
[Command Class Sensor Alarm, Sensor Alarm Report, Sensor Type
Water Leak Alarm State = 0x00(0), Seconds = 0x00]

Any suggestions ?? I understand there has been a recent update (622) that includes the ST812 was this feature added ?

Note I have been using an HSM100 for years to monitor the spa's temperature, when someone open's the panel (light)
and motion (2 neighbors have had there spa's stolen in broad daylight).

[callen]

I'm in the process of automating my pool leveling and was going to get one of these (when they get UL approval in US, DR is on same freq. so thats an option but a bit pricey):  http://www.fibaro.com/us/the-fibaro-system/door-window-sensor

My plan is to connect a float switch to the input that will be in the water.  It also has a temp monitor which is great, i can hook up an outdoor waterproof probe to go in the water as well.  I plan to connect a water hose to the pool return line before the pumb with a 120v NC solenoid with a few check valves.  I would plug the solenoid into a zwave wall switch.

When the float goes down the door sensor would trigger and I would turn on the wall switch which would open the valve and start filing the pool.  Still in the design phase but i think this should work.   I should also be able to control the pool temp as well with this setup with the intermatic CA3750

[JamieRI]

Perhaps one of these would work?
http://www.poolspanews.com/chemicals/using-mineral-sanitizers.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=jump&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PSN_111913&day=2013-11-19

[JamieRI]

Here is another one
http://www.tecmarkcorp.com/products/level-sensors.php

[JacintoRa]

Perhaps one of these would work?
http://www.poolspanews.com/chemicals/using-mineral-sanitizers.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=jump&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PSN_111913&day=2013-11-19

U got any photo of this device?

[RichardTSchaefer]

Or:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Water-Sensor-Horizontal-Liquid-Switch/dp/B0053WJCWC
http://www.johnstonesupply.com/storefront/product-view.ep?pID=B17-153

I use the 2nd one on my Rain Water Collection Storage Tank.
When the water reaches the level of this switch (There is a float inside) ... It disable the pump that is used to fill the storage tank.

I have actually thought about replacing/augmenting with an Arduino Pressure sensor at the bottom of the tank so it can detect how much water is in the tank.

[callen]

Here are the parts I was thinking of:

For the sensor:
zwave temp and level sensor -->  Fibaro mentioned above

Temp probe (haven't decided which i want yet):
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11050
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Waterproof-Digital-Thermal-Probe-or-Sensor-DS18B20-/280910721752?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Float switch:
http://www.cynergy3.com/productdetail.aspx?id=27
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-26-5cm-Long-Water-Level-Sensor-Vertical-Liquid-Float-Switch-Fish-Tank-Pool-/230979922611?_trksid=p2054897.l4276
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LONG-Water-Level-Sensor-Liquid-Float-Switch-Tank-Pool-L/230483393159?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18241%26meid%3D2825272302510847712%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D8344%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D230804623473%26
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/vertical-float-switch
http://floatsensors.com/Plastic-Vertical-Float-Switches-Standard-housing.htm

For the pool filing:
I would be connecting to the pool house water supply (1/2 copper piping) which happens to be right by the pump hence the desire for 2 check valves.

Check valve:  http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/1-2-clear-pvc-swing-check-valve.html  - In addition to the check valve in the solenoid.   I also plan to add a pvc ball valve to isolate the water supply from the pool system for maintenance.

NC Solenoid: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Solenoid-Valve-w-Check-Valve-Filter-110-120-VAC-V-AC-ONE-YEAR-WRRANTY-/120970780441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a6b9f19

Switch: http://www.jascoproducts.com/products/pc/GE-Z-Wave-Wireless-Lighting-Control-On-Off-Switch-63p907.htm#.UqoZGyeqlUQ  I liked this as opposed to a power outlet style switch so i can manually operate the water filing if needed.  Also according to the manual you can make the indicator LED come on when the light is on instead of off which would be helpful.

The 120 VAC valve is nice so you don't have to jerry rig 24v sprinkler system valves.  Asco also makes some nice 110-120vac NC valves but are about 10x more and don't have a check valve.
I've purchased everything except for the Fibaro though I likely won't do the install until the spring when it's warm outside.

Charlie

[PJJP]

I too am looking to do the same. I already have the pool fill valve hooked up to my sprinkler system that is controlled by Irrigation Caddy. I can start programs on the Irrigation Caddy easily via http, so creating a "fill pool" scene will be easy.

I am mainly looking for the float valve to trigger the scene. I will use PLEG to start a timer whenever the sensor/float valve is tripped. Say, 5 minutes tripped. This will filter all all the false-positives from the kids splashing around. I have an in-ground pool, and would prefer to put the float valve in the skimmer.

I am considering the possibility of simply placing a Honeywell 470 Water Flood Sensor Probe connected to a the normally closed loop of a Honeywell 5816OD wireless sensor. When the water level falls, the loop opens, PLEG timer starts. When timer passes 5 minutes, or an hour, or whatever, the "pool fill" scene will be triggered that will add water for 10 minutes. I suppose I could also cause it to turn the water off early if the circuit closes again.

Has anyone done anything similar successfully?

[meadd]

I'm trying to achieve a similar task.  Connect a float sensor to a wireless transmitter.

So, I bought the Honeywell 5816OD and a float sensor.  Apparently I didn't do enough research, as it doesn't appear the 5816OD is z-wave.

Anyone know if I'm wrong about the 5816OD, or have a wireless transmitter to recommend which can have external NO/NC connections?

[PJJP]

the 5816 is NOT z-wave. It communicates with your alarm system. I have serveral connected to my Vista20P panel that interfaces with my vera via AD2USB

[JLodge]

You might want to try the water level sensor found here: http://vegetronix.com/Products/AquaPlumb/

This is a capacitive sensor that also can come with a relay, which you can use to hook up to a alarm if the water either drops to a certain level, or goes above a certain level. Further, this sensor does not corrode like many, and it contains no moving parts which leads to less complications. Lastly this sensor can work in almost any liquid. Although I haven't applied the sensor in this particular field, I have found it to work fairly well.

Hopefully this helps!

[GdB]

I have a pool/spa pump in an underground vault with a similar concern if any leaky or rain flooding occurs.  So I rigged a sump pump to activate a relay which shuts down the pool pump, so no more flow until the flooding is cleared.

Leaks should not be an issue with such low pressure in pool/spa pipes.