Vibration Sensor SW-420 - water flow detection

ESPHome
1

I had the idea of using an SW-420 vibration sensor mounted to the outside of a water pipe to detect water flow in that pipe.

The idea would be to implement several different flows from the detection.

One flow would be if water flow is detected for too long either a: the water has been left on or a pipe has broken, or b: if that water line is a toilet, the valve is stuck open.

Another flow could be used for how long did the tap stay open each time it was used?

Would something like this work with this sensor?

Thanks in advance

2

Unlikely, but you should try it and see for yourself.

It might be able to sense something if the flow is high enough.

3

you might want to look here

I am using this with my gas meter. It has some issues in my use case, but probably works better with water meters.

4

That sensor is technically a switch. You can’t measure how strong some vibration is. According to your sensitivity adjustment either it’s detected or it’s not. You could probably detect when you open and close a faucet.

5

Thanks for your response.

I’ve thought about trying to do something with my gas meter.

I do not think it has the kind of dial necessary for capturing data.

My water meter is next to the curb inside a steel tube about 8 feet down into the ground.

The only way I know of for tracking water usage would be to put some kind of measuring device into the main line coming into the house.

That’s not going to happen.

I may investigate the gas meter.

Thanks again.

6

Wow. That’s practical… :open_mouth:

7

I guess it all depends on what part of town you live in.

Some areas have the water meters in the yard somewhere around the house.

Some have the water meter in the garage or basement.

Mine is next to the road. The sidewalk is between the small section of grass where the meter is and my yard.

I think my only hope for monitoring will be to put a flow sensor in my main line.

8

Why not?? Many people including myself installed flow meters on water mains or water branches. I put mine right before it goes into my water softener and it tracks everything the house uses. I have another one on the main line that ffeeds my irrigation and track that water use seperately and have been doing this for 2+ years now. It would be orders of magnitude better and more useful to you than what kind of information you could possibly infer from the use of a vibration sensor on your best day.

It’s actually quite easy to shut off the water, cut a pipe, place a flow meter in that cut section of pipe. They even make push on “Sharkbite” fittings that make it super easy.
https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en

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