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On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >>>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >>>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >>>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and >>>>>> spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >>>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and >>>>>> beyond.
I'm wondering about removing the washer intake valve from the washer
and hard connecting it to the supply. No hoses.
On 2024-12-26 14:29, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd
imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
The way I've seen water detectors done is with an LED angled to reflect off
a piece of glass to a photodiode when the glass is dry. When the glass is wet the index of refraction of the glass/water is different from the glass/air and
allows the light to pass through and not hit the photodiode. That's how automatic
windshield wiper raindrop detectors work.
On 2024-12-27 20:04, Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
Use graphite. Two pencil leads.
On 2024-12-26 14:29, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,The way I've seen water detectors done is with an LED angled to reflect
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to work
first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this concept
into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined.
I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether other people
here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do with these little
personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
off a piece of glass to a photodiode when the glass is dry. When the
glass is wet the index of refraction of the glass/water is different
from the glass/air and allows the light to pass through and not hit the photodiode. That's how automatic windshield wiper raindrop detectors
work.
<mas@a4.home> wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom
<cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will
shut off the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose
failing and spewing water out all over the floor. This is an
eventuality which has always caused me considerable angst, so I
finally decided to do something about it. After all, those
flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle over time and having one split
'in action' could cause a significant amount of damage to the
surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut
the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the floor
would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I'm wondering about removing the washer intake valve from the washer
and hard connecting it to the supply. No hoses.
No filter either. The smallest piece of dirt can jam a valve open.
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >>>>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and >>>>>>> spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >>>>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>>>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and >>>>>>> beyond.
I'm wondering about removing the washer intake valve from the washer
and hard connecting it to the supply. No hoses. Then only one hose
goes from the valve output to the washer and it only has water in it
when the washer is filling.
PS: Braided stainless steel isn't water tight. From what I've read
what's inside and how the ends are crimped is more important.
How long do real hydraulic hoses last? They don't have a stainless
outer braid.
On 28/12/2024 16:04, mas@a4.home wrote:
I'm wondering about removing the washer intake valve from the washer
and hard connecting it to the supply. No hoses. Then only one hose
goes from the valve output to the washer and it only has water in it
when the washer is filling.
That will be very interesting when the washing machine enters a spin dry cycle with a moderately unbalanced load and starts shaking violently.
Replacing the hoses periodically is probably a much safer option YMMV.
PS: Braided stainless steel isn't water tight. From what I've read
what's inside and how the ends are crimped is more important.
How long do real hydraulic hoses last? They don't have a stainless
outer braid.
Japanese washing machines are typically installed with a drip tray on
mains drainage plumbed in underneath to accommodate any systematic
failures. I have never seen than done anywhere else.
On 28/12/2024 16:04, mas@a4.home wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom
<cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut >>>>>>>> off the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing >>>>>>>> and spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality >>>>>>>> which has always caused me considerable angst, so I finally
decided to do something about it. After all, those flimsy
'exhaust' hoses go brittle over time and having one split 'in
action' could cause a significant amount of damage to the
surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut >>>>>>>> the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the floor would >>>>>>>> be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and beyond.
I'm wondering about removing the washer intake valve from the washer
and hard connecting it to the supply. No hoses. Then only one hose
goes from the valve output to the washer and it only has water in it
when the washer is filling.
That will be very interesting when the washing machine enters a spin dry cycle with a moderately unbalanced load and starts shaking violently.
Replacing the hoses periodically is probably a much safer option YMMV.
Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time. An analog
adaptation from resistance to capacitance can curb this effect. The
above sensor needs to be altered to detect a dielectric difference
instead of an ohmic resistance.
Perhaps spme sort of adaptation of my conductivity meter circuit would
do the job:
<http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/ConductivityMeter14.gif>
It generates floating AC with prevents electrolysis at the sensor and
uses synchronous rectification to eliminate spurious responses. For simplicity, the range switch could be replaced by a pot and the meter
drivers arranged to switch a relay.
Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd
imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
The way I've seen water detectors done is with an LED angled to reflect off
a piece of glass to a photodiode when the glass is dry. When the glass is wet the index of refraction of the glass/water is different from the glass/air and
allows the light to pass through and not hit the photodiode. That's how automatic
windshield wiper raindrop detectors work.
Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd
imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
The way I've seen water detectors done is with an LED angled to reflect off
a piece of glass to a photodiode when the glass is dry. When the glass is wet the index of refraction of the glass/water is different from the glass/air and
allows the light to pass through and not hit the photodiode. That's how automatic
windshield wiper raindrop detectors work.
Liz Tuddenham wrote:
Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time. An analog
adaptation from resistance to capacitance can curb this effect. The
above sensor needs to be altered to detect a dielectric difference
instead of an ohmic resistance.
Perhaps spme sort of adaptation of my conductivity meter circuit would
do the job:
<http://www.poppyrecords.co.uk/other/ConductivityMeter14.gif>
It generates floating AC with prevents electrolysis at the sensor and
uses synchronous rectification to eliminate spurious responses. For simplicity, the range switch could be replaced by a pot and the meter drivers arranged to switch a relay.
Do the five Schmidt triggers in parallel after the oscillator act as a buffer?
On Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:44:32 +0000, Martin Brown wrote:
On 28/12/2024 16:04, mas@a4.home wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom
<cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut >>>>>>>>> off the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing >>>>>>>>> and spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality >>>>>>>>> which has always caused me considerable angst, so I finally
decided to do something about it. After all, those flimsy
'exhaust' hoses go brittle over time and having one split 'in >>>>>>>>> action' could cause a significant amount of damage to the
surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut >>>>>>>>> the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the floor would >>>>>>>>> be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and beyond.
I'm wondering about removing the washer intake valve from the washer
and hard connecting it to the supply. No hoses. Then only one hose
goes from the valve output to the washer and it only has water in it
when the washer is filling.
That will be very interesting when the washing machine enters a spin dry
cycle with a moderately unbalanced load and starts shaking violently.
LOL! Perhaps I should clarify. The hoses between the fixed plumbing and
the machine itself are still rubber ones. But they're NOT push-fits. They >screw-in.
Replacing the hoses periodically is probably a much safer option YMMV.
I would not sleep soundly with *any* push-fits anywhere in the house.
That's why I had them all swapped-out for old-style copper.
An ex-girlfriend of mine used to manage a care home for the old and
feeble. One day, a push-fit failed and spewed water out which ended up >cascading down the stairs like a tropical waterfall. All the staff on duty
at the time were female, didn't know where the main stopcock was located
and had *no* idea what to do other than call an emergency plumber. By the >time that leak was remedied, tens of thousands of pounds of damage had
been caused. Push-fit? NO THANKS.
On 2024-12-26 14:29, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
The way I've seen water detectors done is with an LED angled to reflect off
a piece of glass to a photodiode when the glass is dry. When the glass is wet the index of refraction of the glass/water is different from the glass/air and
allows the light to pass through and not hit the photodiode. That's how automatic
windshield wiper raindrop detectors work.
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
On 2024-12-29, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
On 2024-12-27 20:04, Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
Use graphite. Two pencil leads.
graphite is still eroded.
On 05/01/2025 05:56, Jasen Betts wrote:
On 2024-12-29, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
On 2024-12-27 20:04, Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
Use graphite. Two pencil leads.
graphite is still eroded.
Not very quickly though so for a sensor where being wet is an immediate
fault condition I doubt if it really matters. You could always use gold plated contacts or if money was no object pure platinum electrodes.
Both of those noble metals are almost impervious to corrosion.
Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
Use graphite. Two pencil leads.
Carlos E.R. wrote:
Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
Use graphite. Two pencil leads.
You can probably adapt this technique to the task:
Make your own non-inductive graphite resistors
<http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/graphite.htm>
Is electrolysis mitigation the sole benefit of using AC instead of DC?
Is there any other reason to prefer AC?
Carlos E.R. wrote:
Don wrote:
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time.
Use graphite. Two pencil leads.
You can probably adapt this technique to the task:
Make your own non-inductive graphite resistors
<http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/graphite.htm>
Is electrolysis mitigation the sole benefit of using AC instead of DC?
Is there any other reason to prefer AC?
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >>imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a
couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >>imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a
couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
Gentlemen,
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:38 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd
imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a
couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
True, and that's what my design relies on. I say "design" but that's over-dignifying it. I doubt there's more than 10 components to it all
told - tops! Still, the most important thing is it works.
How did the pin/aspirin desgin work??
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
On 2024-12-27 02:21, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:38 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd
imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a
couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
True, and that's what my design relies on. I say "design" but that's
over-dignifying it. I doubt there's more than 10 components to it all
told - tops! Still, the most important thing is it works.
How did the pin/aspirin desgin work??
https://ademu.home.xs4all.nl/download/Waterdetector%20without%20headache.jpg
Arie
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:30:05 +0100, Arie de Muijnck <noreply@ademu.nl>
wrote:
On 2024-12-27 02:21, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:38 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>Arie
wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >>>>> imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether >>>>> other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a
couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
True, and that's what my design relies on. I say "design" but that's
over-dignifying it. I doubt there's more than 10 components to it all
told - tops! Still, the most important thing is it works.
How did the pin/aspirin desgin work??
https://ademu.home.xs4all.nl/download/Waterdetector%20without%20headache.jpg >>
Ingenious!
Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd
imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether
other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
The last time my hot-water tank pin-holed through and spread water all
over the floor, the plumber that replaced the tank put a shallow water-catching tray underneath the new tank and put a battery-operated
stop valve into the cold water feed. The stop valve can with a water
sensor that sat in the tray, and turns off the cold water feed if there
water in the tray.
It's one more thing that screams at me when it's batteries get close to running out, but that's less of a pain than a lot of water wrecking the carpet, or the parquet that replaced it.
Talk to your local plumbing supplier - it's madness to waste time on
design when you can buy something off the shelf.
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:12:19 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:30:05 +0100, Arie de Muijnck <noreply@ademu.nl>
wrote:
On 2024-12-27 02:21, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:38 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >>>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >>>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to >>>>>> work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >>>>>> imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether >>>>>> other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do >>>>>> with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a >>>>> couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
True, and that's what my design relies on. I say "design" but that's
over-dignifying it. I doubt there's more than 10 components to it all
told - tops! Still, the most important thing is it works.
How did the pin/aspirin desgin work??
https://ademu.home.xs4all.nl/download/Waterdetector%20without%20headache.jpg
Arie
Ingenious!
Just for a bit of fun (which I don't get much of at my age) I thought
I'd replicate the idea to see how effective it is. My first attempt
didn't work out at all, as the clothes peg compressed the (soluable)
aspirin as it became saturated and prevented it dissolving
sufficiently for the gap to close. I was left with about a tenth of an
inch between contacts.so FAIL!
For this to stand any chance of working, you'd have to fashion the
contacts so they have pointy ends. That should work, BUT if it were
used in my applcation, several dozen gallons of water would be all
over the floor before it would be able to close-up. My design, OTOH,
shuts off the electric in about 25 femto-seconds. :-)
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:12:19 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:30:05 +0100, Arie de Muijnck <noreply@ademu.nl> >wrote:
On 2024-12-27 02:21, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:38 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to >>>>> work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >>>>> imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether >>>>> other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do >>>>> with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a >>>> couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
True, and that's what my design relies on. I say "design" but that's
over-dignifying it. I doubt there's more than 10 components to it all
told - tops! Still, the most important thing is it works.
How did the pin/aspirin desgin work??
https://ademu.home.xs4all.nl/download/Waterdetector%20without%20headache.jpg
Arie
Ingenious!
Just for a bit of fun (which I don't get much of at my age) I thought
I'd replicate the idea to see how effective it is. My first attempt
didn't work out at all, as the clothes peg compressed the (soluable)
aspirin as it became saturated and prevented it dissolving
sufficiently for the gap to close. I was left with about a tenth of an
inch between contacts.so FAIL!
Electrolysis can cause the DC sensor to degrade over time. An analog adaptation from resistance to capacitance can curb this effect. The
above sensor needs to be altered to detect a dielectric difference
instead of an ohmic resistance.
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:12:19 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:30:05 +0100, Arie de Muijnck <noreply@ademu.nl>
wrote:
On 2024-12-27 02:21, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:38 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:29:11 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >> >>>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off >> >>>>> the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has >> >>>>> always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle >> >>>>> over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant >> >>>>> amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having >> >>>>> something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the >> >>>>> floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to
work first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this
concept into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd >> >>>>> imagined. I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether >> >>>>> other people here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do
with these little personal projects they undertake?
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
Tell us about your design.
I recall a water detector made from a clothespin and an aspirin and a >> >>>> couple of pieces of wire.
But it doesn't take much current to turn on a mosfet.
True, and that's what my design relies on. I say "design" but that's
over-dignifying it. I doubt there's more than 10 components to it all
told - tops! Still, the most important thing is it works.
How did the pin/aspirin desgin work??
https://ademu.home.xs4all.nl/download/Waterdetector%20without%20headache.jpg
Arie
Ingenious!
Just for a bit of fun (which I don't get much of at my age) I thought
I'd replicate the idea to see how effective it is. My first attempt
didn't work out at all, as the clothes peg compressed the (soluable)
aspirin as it became saturated and prevented it dissolving
sufficiently for the gap to close. I was left with about a tenth of an
inch between contacts.so FAIL!
Asprin tablets contain a large amount of compressed chalk, which doesn't >dissolve. You need to find something that dissolves completely like a
sugary sweet or even a sugar cube. During WWII, indigestion tablets
were used to delay the release of floating mines from a river bed, but
they also contain chalk and wouldn't work in the 'clothespeg' device..
Dishwasher salt tablets would work but may become too conductive if the
local humidity was high - they would also corrode the electrodes. I was
in some very damp rented accommodation once and I accidentally spilled
some salt on the kitchen worktop one evening; when I looked the next
morning it had turned into a salty puddle.
