Hall Effect Frequency Sensor to Sense Port?

[HaulinAshe]

I'd like to connect a Hall Effect Sensor Flow Meter to a Sense Port. I currently read the frequency using the Hertz setting on a DVM, with typical frequencies in the 100-500 Hz range.

Any chance this could be connected directly to the Analog input of a Sense Port (using that port's 5V to power the sensor) and get a useful voltage variation?

Or will I have to convert the pulses to a smooth analog waveform first? If so, what's the viable voltage range for the Analog input?

 

[Don]

Each sense port has 2 inputs, one analog and one digital. For this application you would want to use the digital input.

The HYDROS Sense port already has a frequency counter on the digital input. All you need to do is connect your sensor to the digital input and then configure the Sense Port as a Flow Rate Sensor. When you select "Flow Rate Sensor" as a sense mode, a field called "Flow Rate Model" will appear. You can then select from various models base on the size of your sensor (1/4 inch to 2 inch). These model numbers reflect a line of flow rate sensors we want to introduce. However, the actual sensors (the same ones used by some of our competitors) have proven to be insufficiently reliable. We are working with our supplier to try to improve reliability before we introduce them.

However, the software support is still there for them. Since we have not officially introduced this it is not a supported feature, and it is not guaranteed. But you are welcome to use it if it works for you.

It is likely that the calibration will be off for your sensor however, the calibration factors in the code were for the particular sensors we are planning to use. If this proves to be the case we could probably make the calibration factor a user field instead of just attached to certain models.

 

[HaulinAshe]

Thanks @Don , that's exactly the type of response needed to keep things moving forward. I wish you luck with product quality control. Wish me luck figuring out how to get the pvc pipe threads to seal on the sensor! The sensor casing keeps compressing as I add more Teflon tape and continues to leak a tiny drip. Plus despite using a much larger/oversized sensor, the induced head pressure from the sensor itself is creating over 1.0 liter/minute static flow resistance.