Extending TDS monitor?

[afboundguy]

Has anyone had issues extending the wires for the HM DM-2 and DM-3 monitors? With my RODI setup under my model train layout for space savings it is sort of a pain in the you-know-what and I want to splice the wires to move the TDS readings to above the layout...

 

[Cooper2]

I work with industrial controls and robotics. I don't claim to be an expert on TDS meters but maybe a couple things to consider with your application. I've never seen shielded or interference rejecting wires used for the sensors so I'm not sure interference is a problem but, you might be producing magnetic fields aplenty with the train layout with transformers, DCC control, etc. Voltage drop gets real as wire length increases and the meters use such small batteries the signal must obviously be a very low voltage. For these 2 reasons alone I'd recommend extending them by using shielded wire and solder the joints. Be sure to dump the shield to a ground or earth connection. Maybe overthinking it, but if it's worth doing........

 

[afboundguy]

I work with industrial controls and robotics. I don't claim to be an expert on TDS meters but maybe a couple things to consider with your application. I've never seen shielded or interference rejecting wires used for the sensors so I'm not sure interference is a problem but, you might be producing magnetic fields aplenty with the train layout with transformers, DCC control, etc. Voltage drop gets real as wire length increases and the meters use such small batteries the signal must obviously be a very low voltage. For these 2 reasons alone I'd recommend extending them by using shielded wire and solder the joints. Be sure to dump the shield to a ground or earth connection. Maybe overthinking it, but if it's worth doing........

Everything I've read says to use shielded wires. I had thought of just moving the RODI unit to the tank area and just extending the input and output water lines and make it nice and display-like...

 

[Cooper2]

That might be best way with long lines, the K.I.S.S. principle...lol
I've redone so many things in the name of simplicity on my tanks. All things seem to evolve into ease of access or "what's gonna happen when it fails? "
NO MORE ZIPTIES EVER.....

 

[afboundguy]

That might be best way with long lines, the K.I.S.S. principle...lol
I've redone so many things in the name of simplicity on my tanks. All things seem to evolve into ease of access or "what's gonna happen when it fails? "
NO MORE ZIPTIES EVER.....

Whahahahaha!!! I have redone so much stuff as well and I have finally realized to suck it up and do it right the first time even if it costs more up front!