Oil level monitoring project using capacitance level sensor

[Russfireball]

good afternoon all

As you Can see i am new to this forum so go easy on me!

I am currently in the process of designing a project for an oil tank level monitoring system using a capacitance level sensor. The level sensor provides a continuous variable voltage output between 0-5v. (5v tank full 0v tank empty). i need to use a circuit to sound an alarm when the oil level in the tank stops dropping, so in other words when the voltage level remains constant for a certain amount of time. can anyone shed any light on an IC capable of this?

Russ

 

[CDRIVE]

Welcome to EP Russ,

I'm assuming this is a large tank. So, I'm also assuming that this voltage drops very slowly. How long does the alarm delay have to be? A 555 timer works well for short delays measured in seconds. Longer delays and freedom of how to sense this is best performed by a programmable microcontroller chip.

If this is an industrial project or beyond your abilities we have a member CocaCola.... yes that's his real name! Anyway if you and he have a meeting of the mind$ he will design, program and and build it for you.

Chris