Water level for steam gen.
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- Swill Maker
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Water level for steam gen.
I use this and a water solenoid to maintain my level. I never could get a float to work right.If you get one make sure you match the threads
$21.25 | Liquid Level Electrode Probe G1 Inch Thread High Temperature Resistance Liquid Indicator Water Level 3-Pole Level
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqSqgPt
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqSXDcX for the board in your meter panel
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$21.25 | Liquid Level Electrode Probe G1 Inch Thread High Temperature Resistance Liquid Indicator Water Level 3-Pole Level
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqSqgPt
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqSXDcX for the board in your meter panel
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- Posts: 1566
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2023 7:44 pm
- Location: NC
Re: Water level for steam gen.
The trick to making one of the analog floats work is 1 minimal back pressure on the steam side and 2 maintaining at least 10 psi on the water feed. That said I've been looking at this 3 probe solution if/when my float fails.
There are two types of people in this world.
1. Those that can extrapolate from incomplete information.
1. Those that can extrapolate from incomplete information.
- Yummyrum
- Global moderator
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- Location: Fraser Coast QLD Aussie
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Tammuz
They show it as having all the rods the same length .
Did you need to cut them to get that controller to work ?
Are they solid rods?
They show it as having all the rods the same length .
Did you need to cut them to get that controller to work ?
Are they solid rods?
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 461
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- Location: South Waikato, New Zealand
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Looks interesting.
* Please note: This probe is made of stainless steel, if it is used longer, it can be cut to a suitable length and it will work as usual.
A line from the description.
* Please note: This probe is made of stainless steel, if it is used longer, it can be cut to a suitable length and it will work as usual.
- Yummyrum
- Global moderator
- Posts: 8843
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:23 am
- Location: Fraser Coast QLD Aussie
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Cheers SW , missed that

My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:59 am
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Now I just need to figure out the size of drip/flow emitters so I don't stop the boiling.
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- Posts: 1566
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2023 7:44 pm
- Location: NC
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Put a needle valve on the water inlet so you can try to match the steam boil off rate.
There are two types of people in this world.
1. Those that can extrapolate from incomplete information.
1. Those that can extrapolate from incomplete information.
- Yummyrum
- Global moderator
- Posts: 8843
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:23 am
- Location: Fraser Coast QLD Aussie
Re: Water level for steam gen.
I was wondering about this . With a three wire sensor , yih have to have an upper and lower level. The valve turns on when the lower level is reached . Then it slowly fills until the upper level reached .
The two levels would need to be fairly close or I’m imagining that there will be a period if fast boil until the lower level is reached again .Then a period of lower boil rate while the water slowly fills .
Just wondering if the hysteresis is going to be worse than a simple on/off float switch and solenoid .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:59 am
Re: Water level for steam gen.
I have a 4 pin but that doesn't matter.Yummyrum wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:24 pmI was wondering about this . With a three wire sensor , yih have to have an upper and lower level. The valve turns on when the lower level is reached . Then it slowly fills until the upper level reached .
The two levels would need to be fairly close or I’m imagining that there will be a period if fast boil until the lower level is reached again .Then a period of lower boil rate while the water slowly fills .
Just wondering if the hysteresis is going to be worse than a simple on/off float switch and solenoid .
What's the difference besides one costs more, more work to install,and has moving parts.
Once it drops below the high mark, water slowly enters .(float levels usually are lower and quicker water entry.) If for some reason there's not enough water the lower pin will kill the element . NO moving parts and is easy to clean. You could put a 20k element in there and the massive water movement would have no effect.
- Yummyrum
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- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:23 am
- Location: Fraser Coast QLD Aussie
Re: Water level for steam gen.
I thought you were using the Aliexpress three level controller you linked to in OP .
It has several modes but all start and stop when either high or low sensor is reached .It’s to stop the pumps constantly switching on/off .
It has several modes but all start and stop when either high or low sensor is reached .It’s to stop the pumps constantly switching on/off .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:59 am
Re: Water level for steam gen.
I use gravity feed water so no pump is needed. I'm waiting to go to the big city to pick up 3 emitters. One of them will work. The first one I bought could keep up with a stripping run. I thought of going much bigger a use a valve to throttle in down,but I prefer to streamline with the right flow. The others will get used elsewhere.
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:59 am
Re: Water level for steam gen.
yummy This one I bought ,which is more then needed. But I have some other ideas for the extra probe.
$22.00 | 1 Inch 4-pole Stainless Steel 304 Electrode Water Level Probe Probe Probe Rod Sensor
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMH8uZz