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Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 11:59 am
by Tammuz
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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Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 2:17 pm
by Bolverk
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.
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 2:49 pm
by Yummyrum
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?
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 4:52 pm
by SW_Shiner
Looks interesting.
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 2:49 pm
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?
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.
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 7:25 pm
by Yummyrum
SW_Shiner wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 4:52 pm
Looks interesting.
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 2:49 pm
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?
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.
Cheers SW , missed that
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:52 am
by Tammuz
Now I just need to figure out the size of drip/flow emitters so I don't stop the boiling.
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 5:30 pm
by Bolverk
Tammuz wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:52 am
Now I just need to figure out the size of drip/flow emitters so I don't stop the boiling.
Put a needle valve on the water inlet so you can try to match the steam boil off rate.
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:24 pm
by Yummyrum
Tammuz wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:52 am
Now I just need to figure out the size of drip/flow emitters so I don't stop the boiling.
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 .
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:21 am
by Tammuz
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:24 pm
Tammuz wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:52 am
Now I just need to figure out the size of drip/flow emitters so I don't stop the boiling.
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 .
I have a 4 pin but that doesn't matter.
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.
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 11:04 am
by Yummyrum
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 .
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 1:22 pm
by Tammuz
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.
Re: Water level for steam gen.
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 11:39 am
by Tammuz
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Wed Apr 09, 2025 11:04 am
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 .
IMG_2180.jpeg
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