Re: Damned Projects!

On Sat, 28 Dec 2024 12:39:15, Wanderer wrote:

On 2024-12-26 14:29, Cursitor Doom wrote:

Gentlemen,
 
I'm currently in the process of building a device which will shut off
the power to a washing machine in the event of a hose failing and
spewing water out all over the floor. This is an eventuality which has
always caused me considerable angst, so I finally decided to do
something about it. After all, those flimsy 'exhaust' hoses go brittle
over time and having one split 'in action' could cause a significant
amount of damage to the surrounding area in a very short time. Having
something to cut the power off instantly as soon as the water hits the
floor would be a very worthwhile addition to the utility room and
beyond.
I came up with a pretty simple design which I've already proven to work
first time at the breadboarding stage. However, turning this concept
into a practical proposition is taking *far* longer than I'd imagined.
I am getting there, but *slowly* and was wondering whether other people
here have the same sort of problem as I invariably do with these little
personal projects they undertake?
 
Your hydrophobic pal,
CD
>
>

The way I've seen water detectors done is with an LED angled to reflect
off a piece of glass to a photodiode when the glass is dry. When the
glass is wet the index of refraction of the glass/water is different
from the glass/air and allows the light to pass through and not hit the
photodiode. That's how automatic windshield wiper raindrop detectors
work.

I kind of suspected that was how they worked; nice to have it confirmed.