Tank water level sensor and integration into Home Assistant Part 1

This short video clip explains how to install a tank level monitoring system that can easily be integrated into Home Assistant or you can just view the level using the Shelly app!
Pressure sensor: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dd2...
NB: Make sure to order the sensor that provides a Voltage output not mA
Power Supply: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ddx...
Shelly Uni: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmQ...
Wiring diagram: photo/?fbid=...
Part 2 explains the setup of the SHelly Uni and Home Assistant integration in more detail: • Tank Water Level Sens...
Some items in my smart home:
Zigbee smart bulb: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dnq...
Shelly Uni: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmQ...
Athom 4 gang switch: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dkt...
ESP32 Dev board: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeN...
Shelly 1: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dkd...
Shelly Dimmer: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCj...
CO2 Sensor: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ddl...
Great contiuous super bright LED Strips with no dots : s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCF...
Weather station: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEC...
Broadlink Pro for controlling IR devices like TVs: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEE...
Athom local control ESPHome smart plugs:s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeK...
Zigbee smart blind controller: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFl...
Raspberry Pi: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dkl...
Kingston SSD RAM: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFq...
Ice Tower Cooling Fan: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmI...
My gear:
Rode Wireless Go Mic: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFw...
Camera: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dlo...
Some of the links above are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission if you click on the link and purchase an item. You are not obligated to do so, but it does help fund these videos in hopes of bringing value to you!

[@LynnCurrieBuilds]

Just got this setup for my cistern. It was so easy. Thanks for the video! Moving on to part 2 to see what you did with integrations.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

That's great news Lynn, I'm glad my video was useful!

[@mikewaters6980]

Hi Simon. Just wanted to come back and thank you for the video and your help too. I've managed to get this working and it's very cool!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thank you so much Mike !

[@markmulder996]

Very helpful video. I also need to get a similar setup for my 12000L rainwater tank that i use for watering the garden. The pressure sensor is a great tip, no moving parts, looks solid as a rock. Thanks!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thank you so much for your feedback Mark :)

[@AndreGeertsma]

Hello Simon Thanks to your video, I managed to install it, works very well

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Glad it helped

[@whitt87]

Good decision on sensor. I have had numerous water level indicators over the past 18 yrs. A sonic sender becomes unreliable over time. The pressure sensor version is much better although the data tends to drift slightly after several years. Drift will be simple to account for.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thanks Whittaker, yes they seem very reliable!

[@philippebezie1331]

Great ! Please more good ideas !

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thanks Philippe they are coming soon

[@aalmarshad]

I'm looking to have a sensor to monitor my house water level. your project is interesting and I wish you show a demo of how to set it up and how it's look like in HA. Thanks

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Sure thing I will do a follow up video showing how it installs into HA

[@hb189]

Hi Simon nice, i use old water level control switch for automation

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Oh cool sounds like a great simple system

[@hb189]

@@simonsayshomeassistant very simple, only need sonoff/Shelly switch breaker in addition. Wire scenario is : L ---> Water level control ---> L input sonoff/shelly ( N ---> N input sonoff Set condition state of sonoff/Shelly as ON So when the tank is full it Will trigger breaker to ON then it will trigger my submersible pump to OFF. I use this since 2018. Ultrasonic just to beautify my dashboard. No significant in accuracy 😁

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@hb189 Nice work, simple is always good as it goes wrong less easily!

[@l0gic23]

Great bid. +1 sub

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thank you

[@EastyUK]

If you do have a current based sensor (4-20ma) you can put a 240-250ohm resistor across the Shelly 3 and 6 and it’ll give a voltage 1-5v. Thanks for the video

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Awesome thank you for explaining that Easty!

[@alantorres8295]

Am I correct to assume that if a 500ohm resistor was put across pins 3 and 6 I would get a 1-10v reading? I bought my sensor for this purpose before knowing how to wire all of this up. This video makes it super clear.

[@EastyUK]

@@alantorres8295 it’s not a linear conversation with a larger larger resistor. May want to order a range of them and play with it to see the output. I was using a Shelly uni, so I can literally have the app on my phone and see the voltage change as I raise and lower the sensor in the tank.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Sorry I have not tried this as I don't have a mma sensor@@alantorres8295

[@jeibar]

Fantastic video mate , this is what I was looking for . May I ask you something? Could I extend the cables for the sensors let’s say 3 mts , just to have the Shelly uni closer to the house so it can get better wifi . Thanks heaps mate , amazing channel .

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Jeibar, thanks so much for your wonderful feedback! Yes, I think another 3 meters would be OK in extra cable length

[@NisarBashir]

Hey. Thanks for a super relevant video that helped med steer away from esp32. I have a quite similar usecase, where rainwater should not reach to the pipes feeding it. At that point i will need to pump out water. My question: since i dont know the depth of the well. I think it is 2 meters, but 4 meters from the surface, i will nit know if the sensor has just reached the bottom. If I add some slack and let the sensor sit horizontally instead of vertically, would that still work?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hey Nisar, so glad I could help you. Yes, it can sit like that, no problems!

[@dave412r]

Hi. Very good video. I was looking for something like this to keep eye on my water. But my tank not as big as yours. Say if my tank is 1.5m should I get a 2m unit or 1m

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Who Knows, thanks for the feedback :) if your tank is 1.5m deep then select the 2m version of the sensor.

[@disairrigation4862]

Hi Simon thank you for this video. I have done a similar project in the past and always thought that the uni would be an excellent device to use for this. What I am a little confused about is have you used a voltage regulator of some sort to the pressure transducer. The device requires 5V and it seems like you have supplied it with 12V. Thank you for creating this content

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Disa, thanks for your feedback, the pressure sensor that I have linked to in the comments section uses 10 - 30 V DC "Power supply 10~30 VDC (standard voltage 24VDC)"

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Disa, the sensor that I used required 12V. If you have a 5V sensor you can just use the 5V out from the Shelly Uni

[@unrealshots]

Hey Simon, I've got two tanks that are linked at the bottom, both holding around 3500l each when full. How do you reckon this solution would go if installed in one tank only? Also, would you be able to do a "part 3" on how you configured the Shelly?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hey Andrew, yes that will work find as both tanks will be at the same level so the percentage will be right for both tanks. Sure I can do a part 3

[@Neilatkinson62]

Hi Simon, thanks for the video...Can you give some details on the power supply you are using for this? Cheers!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Neil, here is a link: Power Supply: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdxCgwl

[@mikewaters6980]

Looking forward to this- thank you for posting it Simon. With your 12v Power Supply, do you remember how big (how many amps) it is or doesn't it matter?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Mike, you would only need a tiny power supply 1-2 Amps.

[@mikewaters6980]

Super. I'll order one now. Thanks a lot for your fast reply mate. @@simonsayshomeassistant

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Only a pleasure Mike, good luck with your build! @@mikewaters6980

[@deejayaxxis]

Interesting system. Curious, how accurate is it, when you convert voltage to remaining volume content ? Did you account for the voltage drop due to the long cable? I would say, you calibrate the 'max' level when the tank is completely full? I might just include this principle. Will not use Shelly though, as I already have an analog 0-10V input module in my KNX setup. I could just add the sensor to one of my free channels. The cable could come in right in the utility room!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Gery! I am just using a gauge and setting 0 as empty and 1.6 as full at this stage. I plan to create more smarts with the data using Node Red

[@deejayaxxis]

@@simonsayshomeassistant 1.6V that is ? 10V is no water then ?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@deejayaxxis I have the 0 - 5 Volt unit but it only reads 1.6v when tank is full. Might try stepping supply power up to 24V

[@mohshd1]

Hi Simon. Great video! I purchased the parts amd have them all connected as per your instructions. My situation is that I have a sump with 45 cm depth with a pump in it to drain the water when it gets full! The issue that I have got is that the voltage coming from the sensor fluctuates between 7.49-7.61v regardless if the sump is full or empty! How come your sensor gives a range of 0-1.5v? Any configuration is required from the Shelly to calibrate the sensor?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi there, thank you for your great feedback! Wow that is very odd, is it possible that the sensor is faulty? I did not do any setup other than shown in my video.

[@tux43]

I am getting the same as this Mohammad, although I am at about 4.5v but it doesn't seem to be getting the correct reading from the sensor.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@tux43 Please the wire colours with the supplier sometimes they change them

[@Osamu_Mukano]

👍🏻

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thanks

[@craigmarshall5896]

Hi Simon, I just wanted to point out that it appears you have made a small error in the connections to the pressure sensor. What you have done, Vs+ to sensor + and Vs- to sensor - will in fact appear to work. You'll get voltage reading from the sensor out (yellow wire in your case). However there will be a slight discrepancy in the voltage reading, meaning when the level gets low (sensor body height low) you'll return a 0v (or just 10-15mv) reading. If you want to increase accuracy across the monitored depth you need to connect the sensor ground to the Uni sensor ground (pin 6). This pin (6) is an isolated ground. I learnt this when measuring a fresh water tank (45cm) and discovering the measuring discrepancy when at 15% full it would suddenly jump to empty. So: Sensor + to Vs+ Sensor - to Uni pin 6 (green) Sensor Out to Uni pin 3 (white) I appreciate in your case this may be of no consequence, but for others with smaller tank volumes / depth it'll be annoying.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Craig thank you for your help!

[@OPB682]

How do you find the real time performance of the sensor (second to second)? Is it fairly stable if there's any turbulence in the water (during refill) I would like to try this in my brewery cold liquor tank (2000L) to shut off the refill.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Andrew, it seems to oscillate a bit between 0.1 segments. Ie it will go up and down between 1.5 and 1.6 volts. I think this will improve with a higher voltage output! For my purpose this does matter as I just need to know a rough idea of what the level is at.

[@SouthernBuyer]

Hi Simon, I'm a Shelly fan and would like to use a Uni to monitor the depth of water in our tanks. You talked about a Pressure Transducer Sensor, but I can't find it in the comments section of either of your two videos on the subject. I've searched on eBay and Amazon but couldn't find the one you show. Can you help me with a link? Many thanks, Robert

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Sure mate this is the one s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmGAGqx

[@pacot86]

Hi Simon, Are you using the 0V-5V or 0V-10V sensor ? Thanks!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Francisco, I use the 0-5 V sensor but in hind sight I would have ordered a 0-10 V for more range and sensitivity!

[@pacot86]

@@simonsayshomeassistant Thanks mate, kind regards !

[@kermets]

Simon Says.......i just ordered my Shelly, is there a way to activate the shelly by water touching two wires? I only need to sense a full water tank as it gets filled by bore, cheers Brett

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Brett, that is a great question. I will do some research and get back to you.

[@miguelavello7493]

Simon, I have a question for you. Any recommendation to measure the level of salt, in a water softener container ? The unit is basically a round cylinder where you add pellets of salt. As this system is used the salt is consumed. It will be nice to have a way to know when the salt is running low in the tank. Any ideas 💡 to share ???

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Miguel, great to hear from you! Yes I think that you could use a sonic sensor to do this. Place it at the top of the bin.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

www.aliexpress.com/item/32767707969.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.70ff6de2k1KSoU&algo_pvid=deda25e5-7955-4dc9-bdb5-79bbe6ca81a5&algo_exp_id=deda25e5-7955-4dc9-bdb5-79bbe6ca81a5-0&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2210000001117889709%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21NZD%21%211.32%21%21%212.23%21%21%40210318b816574208814619000e917d%2110000001117889709%21sea

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHfXgHp3frFsfbM

[@fosternostrand1597]

Hi Simon, we are buying a house with a similar setup, I'm going to use your setup as a blueprint to be able to monitor water levels. Eventually we'd like to get a well dug and I hope to be able to do the automation myself for filling the tanks from the well when they are low. Thanks for making your info available.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Oh cool that sounds awesome, please let me know how you get on with integrating the well!

[@ubeaut]

I just ordered my water meter sensor and ordered the 0-5V and then I found your KZbin today....0-10V sounds like it would be better. I want to measure a 50000 litre tank and put it into openHab.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Thank you so much for your feedback. This has always been my favorite automation yet!

[@ubeaut]

@@simonsayshomeassistant I just got the sensor today and I hooked it up like you did in this video but I had no voltage displaying until I took the green wire and put it on the negative of the power coming in. Then I had a voltage reading. Don't know if this is what was supposed to happen or not. I am not an electronics person. At least it didn't blow up. I put Tasmota on it but that is another whole story working out how to get readings that reflect the volume of water. Work in progress on that.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi @@ubeaut It depends on the sensor some have different colour wires but yes you do need to connect it to the negative of the power supply to power the sensor. That is great news that you got it working! How did you flash tasmota to the shelly uni? Thanks for your feedback!

[@ubeaut]

@@simonsayshomeassistant I just made a dodgy video on how to do it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jV6taXudfJ6Kpqs

[@ToTo-od9wz]

Hello, I have same configuration but unfortunately the readings are not stable. I have a range between 0,07V and 0,28V without moving the sensor. It is necessary a stabilized power source? You use one in this example? Thank you.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi there, no mine is just a cheap 12V power supply off ali express. Sorry not sure why it is unstable

[@mastweiler22]

Does ambient air pressure have any effect on the readings?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Ken, I have not noticed any fluctuation based on barometric pressure. It could be because I am only really interested in seeing if my tank is full, half or reaching empty so I don't worry about small changes

[@johanetsebeth9150]

Hi Simon I love your channel I have a few Questions mabe u can help me . I have the following Sunsyn inverter and solar Sonoff device for swicing borehole gates ect ect Some ACDC wifi switches for pool pump Ezvic wifi cameras Smart life TY water level sensor for my water tank . How do I integrate all this different systems into 1 system to control all and set Automation. Like when water level on 10 percent swich on ACDC switch. When water level on 90 percent swich on sonoff smart switches for sprinklers . Also wil like to see all in 1 dashboard. With mabe a IPad or notepad mounted on my wall in my house.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Johan, thank you so much for your feedback. I assume you are running Home Assistant. If so it is a matter of finding integrations to the products you mention and then creating the automations using HA automations or perhaps nodered. I have had some challenges with integrating Sonoff devices as well as smart life. They are cloud based and not well integrated. I try to use local devices like Shelly or ESP Home. It looks like there is an integration for the cameras. For the display try Kiosker.

[@kobusdebruyn8052]

Hi Simon. I ordered one of these liquid level transmitters but it only has 2 wires, not 3. Please tell me I didn't but the wrong sensor

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

HI Kobus, I think you have the one that supplies ma rather than v. Try this, another viewer suggested this solution "If you do have a current based sensor (4-20ma) you can put a 240-250ohm resistor across the Shelly 3 and 6 and it’ll give a voltage 1-5v"

[@Domim100]

Hello Simon, you recommend to buy a voltage output sensor and not a mA sensor, because its easier to connect. Is it also possible to use a mA sensor, and how can we do that? Thank you very much!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Domim. Yes, the voltage is much easier to input into the Shelly UNI. For the mA one you would have to create a circuit to convert it to voltage. I will do some research for you

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5_OXnmOf8mJiKM you could try this!

[@Domim100]

@@simonsayshomeassistant Thank you very much.

[@Domim100]

@Simon Says: I bought a 0 - 10 v Output, as described in your manual. I also connected it to the shelly and im currently testing it with a water barrel, but the output fluctuate strongly (between 0V and 2,7 V) at the same water level. Do you have any idea what can be the problem here? It seems like you dont have so much fluctuation.

[@Domim100]

Hello Simon, i bought a 0 - 10 v Output, as described in your manual. I also connected it to the shelly and im currently testing it with a water barrel, but the output fluctuate strongly (between 0V and 2,7 V) at the same water level. Do you have any idea what can be the problem here? It seems like you dont have so much fluctuation.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Domim100 so how much movement are you getting? Is the water you are measuring still?

[@Domim100]

@@simonsayshomeassistant the ADC Voltage display changes every 5 seconds to another value. its between 0 V and 1,38 V right now. The water is still with no movement.

[@Domim100]

@@simonsayshomeassistant I fixed it now. i need to connect to "-" also the shelly internal ground (green wire). Now it is stable.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@Domim100 Awesome thanks for that feedback Domim

[@tux43]

@@Domim100 I think I am having the same problem, however no success. Do you have a picture or wiring diagram?

[@agler_]

Would this sensor work in seawater? I would like to use something like this to track the daily tide levels in a coastal canal. I don't know if because the specific gravity of seawater is more than freshwater the probe would be accurate or not. But if it is made of 316 stainless, at least it should be able to survive in saltwater.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

That's a good question. I think it would be fine due to being stainless 316.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

I think it would still be accurate

[@christophedesirant2343]

Hello. I bought the sensor, the schematic I received gives info on the wiring with black/red/yellow wires. But the one I received has white/blue/red wires. In you schematic, you have a black/red/blue but it appears to me that in your picture you have the same colors as I have. Correct? If so, could you please tell me which of the white/blue/red wires are 12v and ground? Thanks !

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Chris, please send me the link to the sensor you bought so I can confirm which leads are which

[@christophedesirant2343]

@@simonsayshomeassistant I tried to copy the link several time but without any luck…. I received the info from the vendor : red+， blue -, white signal output. Not really intuitive :-)

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@christophedesirant2343 Yes, sometimes the colours are not very helpful :) Well at least you know now. Did you get it working?

[@christophedesirant2343]

​@@simonsayshomeassistant Yes, I'm using a nodemcu esp8266 instead of a shelly

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@christophedesirant2343 Oh yes the esp8266 works just as well and cheaper too!

[@alainkazan]

Hi Simon , I presume you deployed this pressure sensor a while back .. is it worth it ? ( reliable , stable etc ) ?

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Alain, yes the sensor itself is extremely durable being stainless steel. Been in tank for 2 years now and no issues. The Shelly Uni is protected from moisture damage as it is coated with a protective sealant so great for outdoor use. I have found this system to be very reliable and stable!

[@alainkazan]

@simonsayshomeassistant thanks Simon, I'm searching for a possibility of splitting a poe cable to power the sensor , an esp and use the ethernet to bring data back .. sounds hard to have though .. have a poe splitter into 5v usb-c and ethernet ( I'm missing the 24v )

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@alainkazan You could use a DC to DC step-up converter to get the 24V

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@alainkazan s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dd2qgxT This is a 12V version

[@alainkazan]

Yes can manage the power , remain data back as no wifi range to the building roof where the water tank is .. and setting up the feedback sensor wire for 20m among power cable I'm afraid the reading will act up

[@sylvaish]

Thanks for the video … Can you please share your Yaml code for this setup …That will be very very helpful

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Hi Sylvanus, no YAML code is used here. It uses the Shelly integration to get the voltage into HA. The voltage is then displayed as a guage in the HA dashboard

[@sylvaish]

Thanks … I have this pressure sensor G1/4 Pressure Transducer Sensor, Input 5V Output 0.5-4.5V / 0-5V Pressure Transmitter for Water Gas Oil(0-10PSI) attached to the bottom of my tank Will the Shelly Uni work with that type of pressure sensor ? If yes how I’ll I connect this with the sensor having green, red and black cabling … Thanks

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@sylvaish Hi there, yes that one should work too. You will need to connect the sensor to 5V not the 12 v supply to the Shelly

[@sylvaish]

@@simonsayshomeassistant Thanks for your prompt respond … Do you have any diagram on how to connect these will appreciate

[@sylvaish]

@@simonsayshomeassistant Hi Simon .... I managed to connect both devices and add it to Home Assistant .... The Volts keep changing every seconds from 0 - 2 v .... Is there a way to keep this to update static based on the level of water that is in my tank ??