Introduction

Water flow measurement and control are crucial in various applications, from industrial processes to home automation systems. In this article, we’ll explore a practical project that combines these two elements, allowing you to measure water flow and display the results on an LCD screen using an Arduino. This project can find applications in water management systems, irrigation, and even home brewing setups.

Working Principle

The core principle behind this project is the use of a flow sensor to measure the rate at which water flows through a pipe or channel. The flow sensor generates electrical pulses whose frequency is directly proportional to the flow rate. By counting these pulses over a specific period, we can determine the volume of water that has passed through the sensor.

Things We Need

Before we begin, let’s gather the components and tools required for this project:

1. Arduino board (e.g., Arduino Uno)
2. Flow sensor (e.g., YF-S201 or similar)
3. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) with I2C module
4. Breadboard and jumper wires
5. Tubing and fittings for connecting the flow sensor to a water source
6. Power supply for the Arduino (USB cable or battery)

Circuit Diagram

Working of the System with Arduino

The Arduino continuously reads the pulses generated by the flow sensor on pin D2. To calculate the flow rate, we can use the following formula:

Flow Rate (L/min) = Pulses per Minute / Calibration Factor

The calibration factor is determined by the specifications of your flow sensor and may need adjustment. You can find this value in the sensor’s datasheet. The Arduino then displays the flow rate and total accumulated volume on the LCD screen. You can customize the display format to suit your preferences.

Code

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2); // Change the address (0x27) based on your I2C module

const int flowSensorPin = 2;  // Flow sensor signal pin
volatile int pulseCount = 0;
float calibrationFactor = 7.5;  // Adjust this based on your sensor's specifications

void setup() {
  lcd.init();                      // Initialize the LCD
  lcd.backlight();                 // Turn on the backlight
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Flow Rate: ");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Total Volume: ");
  
  pinMode(flowSensorPin, INPUT);
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(flowSensorPin), pulseCounter, FALLING);
}

void loop() {
  static unsigned long lastTime = 0;
  unsigned long currentTime = millis();

  if (currentTime - lastTime >= 1000) {
    float flowRate = pulseCount / calibrationFactor;
    float totalVolume = pulseCount / (calibrationFactor * 60);  // in liters

    lcd.setCursor(11, 0); // Position cursor for flow rate
    lcd.print("      ");   // Clear previous value
    lcd.setCursor(11, 0); // Position cursor again
    lcd.print(flowRate, 2);
    lcd.print(" L/min");

    lcd.setCursor(14, 1); // Position cursor for total volume
    lcd.print("        "); // Clear previous value
    lcd.setCursor(14, 1); // Position cursor again
    lcd.print(totalVolume, 2);
    lcd.print(" L");
    
    lastTime = currentTime;
  }
}

void pulseCounter() {
  pulseCount++;
}

Conclusion

Water flow measurement and control with LCD output is a practical project that combines electronics, sensor technology, and Arduino programming. This project allows you to monitor water flow rates and total volume accurately, making it useful in various applications, from monitoring water consumption to controlling irrigation systems. By following the provided circuit diagram and code example, you can easily build your own water flow measurement and control system with an LCD display.