Logging automatic bilge pump run times

[PaddyB]

I'd like to sense if an automatic bilge pump is running or not just using a voltage sensor but can't see how to. The pump gets fed 12v then an internal float switch turns the pump on/off when the water raises/falls. Voltage going to the pump doesn`t drop enough & the pump is sealed so no fitting another wire. 
Any ideas? 
Could do it with an ina219 but would like to keep it simple if possible. 

thnx

[Techstyle]

I'd like to sense if an automatic bilge pump is running or not just using a voltage sensor but can't see how to. The pump gets fed 12v then an internal float switch turns the pump on/off when the water raises/falls. Voltage going to the pump doesn`t drop enough & the pump is sealed so no fitting another wire. 
Any ideas? 
Could do it with an ina219 but would like to keep it simple if possible. 

thnx

You could sense the current flow with a INA219. When the pump is not active there would be no current flow, and then when active you would see a current value.  You may have to remove the current shunt and fit something appropriate to the current. I think the hard part would be storing the events or converting it to something useful - like run time per hour or runs per hour. 

Let me know how you get on!

[PaddyB]

I'd like to sense if an automatic bilge pump is running or not just using a voltage sensor but can't see how to. The pump gets fed 12v then an internal float switch turns the pump on/off when the water raises/falls. Voltage going to the pump doesn`t drop enough & the pump is sealed so no fitting another wire. 
Any ideas? 
Could do it with an ina219 but would like to keep it simple if possible. 

thnx

You could sense the current flow with a INA219. When the pump is not active there would be no current flow, and then when active you would see a current value.  You may have to remove the current shunt and fit something appropriate to the current. I think the hard part would be storing the events or converting it to something useful - like run time per hour or runs per hour. 

Let me know how you get on!

storing the events would go straight into influxdb so should be OK I hope. got a handful of INA219's in a box somewhere & istr a 50A shunt but going to have play with a hall effect sensor chip first, might even get away with using an esp32 built in ADC thnx

[Techstyle]

I'd like to sense if an automatic bilge pump is running or not just using a voltage sensor but can't see how to. The pump gets fed 12v then an internal float switch turns the pump on/off when the water raises/falls. Voltage going to the pump doesn`t drop enough & the pump is sealed so no fitting another wire. 
Any ideas? 
Could do it with an ina219 but would like to keep it simple if possible. 

thnx

You could sense the current flow with a INA219. When the pump is not active there would be no current flow, and then when active you would see a current value.  You may have to remove the current shunt and fit something appropriate to the current. I think the hard part would be storing the events or converting it to something useful - like run time per hour or runs per hour. 

Let me know how you get on!

storing the events would go straight into influxdb so should be OK I hope. got a handful of INA219's in a box somewhere & istr a 50A shunt but going to have play with a hall effect sensor chip first, might even get away with using an esp32 built in ADC thnx

If you do choose to use INA219 and ESP32 my battery monitor code might help:
https://github.com/Techstyleuk/SensESP_3...ry_Monitor

or if you need one that broadcasts on NMEA2000 as well as SignlaK: 
https://github.com/Techstyleuk/SensESP-N...ry-Monitor

[PaddyB]

If you do choose to use INA219 and ESP32 my battery monitor code might help:
https://github.com/Techstyleuk/SensESP_3...ry_Monitor

or if you need one that broadcasts on NMEA2000 as well as SignlaK: 
https://github.com/Techstyleuk/SensESP-N...ry-Monitor

Thnx.
I've had an ina219 reading battery current before so that side should be OK.
Thinking just now and tending towards simpler but an INA219 might be worth installing to measure the voltage as well, the KIP could have a bilge pump is on/off box & check in grafana for voltage drop. And there are some onboard!

Enjoy watching the stuff you`ve been doing, keep it up