Level Indicator
Dear Mr. Muj
We are manufacturer of level measurement devices specially for bulk material. For a “on-off-switch” (to indicate full / empty) in a pellet container I recommend the rotating paddle switch. This is the most reliable technology for a fair price. A continues measurement like Radar is very expensive, but of cause also possible. You can find our rotation paddle switch on our homepage:
http://www.sick-maihak.com/sickmaiha...mba200/de.html
Frank Wengler
MAIHAK AG
Analysen- und Prozessmesstechnik
Poppenbütteler Bogen 9b
D-22399 Hamburg
Tel.: +49-(0)40-278-94-312
Fax: +49-(0)40-278-94-362
mailto: frank.wengler@sick.de ■
Re: Level Sensor For Pellets Containers
Thak you for your reply.
We are searching a strument to measure the level (full, empty or level discrete) inside small tank of wood pellets for stove. Your solution I think that is for big tank. ■
Re: Level Sensor For Pellets Containers
In that case, do you really want a level sensor, wouldn't you be better with a long sight glass so you can see what the level is?
A lot cheaper than level detectors for a small hopper. ■
Re: Level Sensor For Pellets Containers
we build electronic boards to control the security of the pellets stuve. The system have to be automatic and the level sensor have to comunicate with our boards. (for example to check the level and to send a sms on the mobile phone of user in case of empty). So we need of an electronic sensor level. ■
Re: Level Sensor For Pellets Containers
The smallest and lowest cost unit is probably a capacitance probe but whether they work well with wood chip, I don't know. I am sure the manufacturers will be able to advise, one question I would ask the manufacturers / do some tests on is how sensitive they would be in the event of variations in moisture content of the product, if the MC does vary of course.
If there is a problem with capcitance, the vibrating type (vibrating rod or tuning fork) could be the second option.
Unless you really need continuous indication, I would avoid it. It is generally much more expensive, needs more setting up and maintenance and tends not to be as reliable. Most people would add a single point indicator as a back up for critical levels anyway such as high level to prevent overfilling. This is a personal opinion of course, there may be manufacturers who disagree.
If you do want continuous, weighing is the best option if you can arrange it, for a small hopper what about 2 hinge points and a single load cell to reduce costs?
One final thought about capacitance probles, I seem to remember that you could get capacitance probes without the electronics in the head which are a little cheaper. The idea being that you would buy the electonics boards separately to go in a panel. If you are building the controllers for the stoves yourself, you may want to try to find these probes, if they are still available ,and incorporate the electronics into your own controller. ■
Level sensor for pellets containers
I would to know the better technology to measure and to check the level of a pellets containers for stove (laser, radar, electrostatic sensor etc...). Discrete (on/off or continuous)
Regards. ■