Difference between revisions of "Temperature Difference Sensor and Switch for Solar Water Circulation Pump"

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m (typo)
(grammar improved)
 
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[[File:Water_temp_difference_sensor_and-on-off-switch_for_solar-pump.jpg]]
 
[[File:Water_temp_difference_sensor_and-on-off-switch_for_solar-pump.jpg]]
  
There is hysteresis because the copper pipes transfer heat and cool with a lag to the pump switching off/on.
+
The copper pipes transfer temperature changes with a lag and the volume of flow is small so the off/on power cycling to the pump is less frequent than you might surmise.
Also, my pump can run without harm, at low voltages, and slower speed. So a sharp slope in the switching speed versus temperature change
+
Also, my pump can run without harm at low voltages, and variable speed. So a sharp slope in the voltage changes by size of temperature difference is not needed for my pump.  
is not needed for my pump.  
 
  
2025: I wanted a steeper slope and instantaneous off/on so I added a pre-amplifier:
+
2025: I wanted a steeper slope of voltage changes for instantaneous off/on so I added a pre-amplifier:
 
[[File:water_temp_difference_preamp_NoRelay.png]]
 
[[File:water_temp_difference_preamp_NoRelay.png]]
  
 
Alternative configuration with a relay: [[File:Water_temp_difference_sensor_and-on-off-switch_for_solar-pump_relay.png|200px|thumb|left|relay version]]
 
Alternative configuration with a relay: [[File:Water_temp_difference_sensor_and-on-off-switch_for_solar-pump_relay.png|200px|thumb|left|relay version]]

Latest revision as of 16:24, 27 May 2025

ALL MY PROJECTS ARE HERE: https://opencircuits.com/index.php?title=User:Definitionofis

This is using two diodes to sense the temperature of the roof solar collector and the storage tank in the house. The diodes form a H-bridge which drifts +- through to -+ across the op amp inputs, depending on the temperature difference which varies the diodes' forward resistance. I have been running this for seventeen years with the diode on the roof touching the hot water outlet pipe.

Water temp difference sensor and-on-off-switch for solar-pump.jpg

The copper pipes transfer temperature changes with a lag and the volume of flow is small so the off/on power cycling to the pump is less frequent than you might surmise. Also, my pump can run without harm at low voltages, and variable speed. So a sharp slope in the voltage changes by size of temperature difference is not needed for my pump.

2025: I wanted a steeper slope of voltage changes for instantaneous off/on so I added a pre-amplifier: Water temp difference preamp NoRelay.png

Alternative configuration with a relay:

relay version