How to install optical level sensor

[joljols]

I cannot find any guide on how to install the level sensor. The product also didn't come with any paper to explain what to do.. I have:
-Level-Sensor, optical, Version 2
-PL-LF-S12, angled
-PL-LF-Base2

I can see the image here https://store.aquariumcomputer.com/pl-lf-base2-2/ but why is there no explanation of how it works and example photos how to install it? No guide on how to set it up on the app? Don't understand why not more information is given anywhere.

My questions are:
- how does the level sensor work, does it detect if there is water or not and send a 1 or 0 signal?
- Can you also measure the water depth with it, or why is there also a way to position it vertically it seems?
- Where do you position the level sensor, outside the water of the tank I presume?
- How do I get the readings on the ghl app?

Thanks for guiding me in the right way

[Gael]

Hello,

pl-lf-base2_alle_glasscheibe.jpg

The sensor is of the NC (normally closed) type, sending a signal at all times except when water is detected.
This also allow to trigger an alarm if the sensor is disconnected.

It's a binary sensor, detecting or not the presence of water, but not the depth of water.

Although it can be installed either horizontally or vertically, it is preferable to install it horizontally to avoid deposits on the end of the sensor, which can lead to false positives in detection.

In the GHL Connect application there's a dedicated "Level" page under "Controls", and there's also a tile on the dashboard.

See also:
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/kno...troller-works/
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/kno...with-profilux/
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/kno...ge-monitoring/

Gaël

[joljols]

Thanks for your reply. But it remains unclear to me if I place the rod with the sensor inside the water or outside the glass, and why does the sensor have to be pointed towards the rod? It is not explained anywhere. Thanks

[Gael]

In water:
201907091748464390394.gif
An infra-red LED and phototransistor accurately positioned at the base of the sensing tip ensure good optical coupling between the two when the sensor is in air. When the sensing tip is immersed in liquid, the infra-red light escapes from the cone, causing a change in the amount of light present at the phototransistor, which makes the output change state.

Gaël

[joljols]

So how do I program this sensor? I cannot find it anywhere simply explained. I just want to it to notify me when the sensor is outside the water so I know I need to do a water change. I can see 8 operation modes but only 1 is actually explained in the guide.

[Gael]

Hello,

In the link I gave you https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/kno...ge-monitoring/ all 8 modes are explained.

Use the "Leakage detection" mode.
Activate push notifications to receive notification via the GHL Connect application.
To receive email notifications, you can use this article: https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/kno...notifications/

Gaël