Mounts for optical sensors

[johnt_tally]

Any ideas on how to mount the optical level water sensors for an ATO set up? I noticed that if one purchases the stand alone ATO from Rob, it comes with a nice mount for the reverse float switch and the two optical sensors, with a nice length of cable.  But when purchasing the Deluxe pre-built, I got the sensors I needed but no way to mount them. I searched @Rob's site to see if the mount for the sensors was sold separately but couldn't find any.  So, thoughts or suggestions on how to mount in my return portion of my sump so I can then start using my very nice Reef-pi Deluxe Aquarium Controller Fully Assembled?

Second question, and i feel like such a noob.  The optical sensors have a four wire attachment on the end.  But that attachment certainly won't connect to the sensor port one, plus the cable length is really short.  So, I'm assuming I need to plug the end of the optical sensor isn't something else that will then plug into the sensor port one?  If you can point me to where I can read up on this, please point me in the right direction!

[Rob F]

Hi johnt_tally, if you have access to a 3D printer you can get some printed, I'll post the files here shortly. I will have to get some listed.

https://www.robo-tank.ca/Robo-Tank_3D_Printable_Cases

If that's not possible and you pay the $6-$8 shipping I can send you a few. They do require magnets to be held in place, these ones are small but very powerful, good for 1/2" glass no problem.

https://www.magnet4sale.com/plastic-coat...k-magnets/

To connect the optical sensor to controller you can use the small sensor extension box you should have.

https://www.robo-tank.ca/image/cache/cat...00x800.jpg

You can plug 3 directly into this and use any length USB cable from it to controller USB port, I've tested up to 50 feet.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vko1...=h.1ci93xb

There are other non-contact sensors that have the same connector but power pins are swapped, on the back of the sensor extension box are some solder jumpers that can be changed so the non-contacts plug directly in, this isn't reflected in the manual yet.

[johnt_tally]

Thanks so much, Rob.  I realized I needed to read up on all of your excellent manuals.  The guide on the wiring and connectors was super helpful, and I realized i should use the sensor box for this and then just need to get a longer USB cable (as you outlined below).  So my apologies for not reading all of the guides before asking my first questions! Do you think these would work okay for holding the optical sensors?  Even if they will work, I think I might still get the mount, but I'll look around first to see if I have access to a 3D printer.  I don't mind the shipping cost, but getting them 3d printed on demand would be pretty cool.  Here is what I ordered from Amazon for the mounting: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/b07b3xd9l7/



Hi johnt_tally, if you have access to a 3D printer you can get some printed, I'll post the files here shortly. I will have to get some listed.

https://www.robo-tank.ca/Robo-Tank_3D_Printable_Cases

If that's not possible and you pay the $6-$8 shipping I can send you a few. They do require magnets to be held in place, these ones are small but very powerful, good for 1/2" glass no problem.

https://www.magnet4sale.com/plastic-coat...k-magnets/

To connect the optical sensor to controller you can use the small sensor extension box you should have.

https://www.robo-tank.ca/image/cache/cat...00x800.jpg

You can plug 3 directly into this and use any length USB cable from it to controller USB port, I've tested up to 50 feet.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vko1...=h.1ci93xb

There are other non-contact sensors that have the same connector but power pins are swapped, on the back of the sensor extension box are some solder jumpers that can be changed so the non-contacts plug directly in, this isn't reflected in the manual yet.
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[Rob F]

No problem and no worries on the questions, it can be hard to find answers sometimes with so many manuals. I think that mount will work well, looks like one of those rings will fit it nicely. I think it takes about 15 minutes to print a bracket.

[johnt_tally]

Rob, if I would like to use the non-contact sensor, with the optical sensor box, can you let me know what I need to do with the jumpers?

[Rob F]

If you look at the back of the sensor board you'll see 6 jumpers for each sensor.

Cut the trace between the O jumper on the 4 circled and then solder the N jumper on 3 of them.

This flips the power and ground pins and adjusts the resistor on data to a pullup.

If you have them set for different types be careful not to plug in the wrong port or the sensor will likely be damaged due to power pins being swapped.