Float Switches vs Volume Sensors

[beerfish]

So I'm getting ready to automate my beer brewing rig, and am planning on adding volume sensors to determine how much liquid is in each of my vessels. The volume sensors I'm planning on using are the ones below:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=MPX5010DP-ND

So it got me wondering why we're not using volume sensors instead of float switches for out ATOs. They should be just as accurate, and I don't think they would be as likely to stick as a float switch would.

Maybe I'm missing something, and these just won't work, but I thought I'd throw it out there and see what other people thought. Obviously some sort of controller would need to be built or adapted for it, but it may be a better way to top off.

 

[stage3-S4]

The compenant you listed is a pressure sensor. This make work for your application of brewing beer but as far as using this for ATO, I dont really see it being applicable. Also keep in mind when you use one of these, You have to use other components such as an op amp, a/d converter, microcontroller and relays to turn on a pump for ATO.

 

[beerfish]

The compenant you listed is a pressure sensor. This make work for your application of brewing beer but as far as using this for ATO, I dont really see it being applicable.

Why not? It can accurately measure the amount of liquid in a vessel by determining the amount of pressure the water applies. What would make a pot of beer any different than a sump as far as sensing volume?

Also keep in mind when you use one of these, You have to use other components such as an op amp, a/d converter, microcontroller and relays to turn on a pump for ATO.

Like I said... a controller would have to be designed or adapted for it.

 

[qy7400]

Looked the specs over for the ever important question, is the sensor safe with salt water. Otherwise if you built the controller to read the sensor and power the top off pump seems like it should work.