Does anyone know who makes the pressure transducers in dive computers?

[dmaziuk]

I am currently working on a project and need to log pressure from a tank. All the transducers I can find are either not high enough pressure, not threaded right, require too much power, or just seem too big compared to whats found in dive computers, and I really doubt that they use the most expensive parts.

I expect they have the actual fitting custom-made. As in, the sensor you can buy for a couple of cents, but you need to put it into the pressure-proof body that either connects to a hose and houses the entire computer, or screws in to HP port and houses the transmitter and battery and the coiled antenna etc. I doubt you can actually buy the "sensor and body", if that's what you're asking.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Did you try contacting anyone such as Suunto? I don't know how much of the manufacturing they still do, but I'm under the impression that they used to do the whole thing.

By "tank" do you mean scuba tank and at least 3000 psi?

 

[tursiops]

Did you try contacting anyone such as Suunto? I don't know how much of the manufacturing they still do, but I'm under the impression that they used to do the whole thing.

I'm guessing Suunto has a LOT of pressure sensors they'd LOVE to unload.

 

[RonR]

I am currently working on a project and need to log pressure from a tank. All the transducers I can find are either not high enough pressure, not threaded right, require too much power, or just seem too big compared to whats found in dive computers, and I really doubt that they use the most expensive parts. If anyone knows who makes the pressure transducers and/or where to buy them please let me know.

You can find high pressure sensors through distributors like Servoflo Pressure Sensors & Transducers but that may not get you all the way to what you want- depending on the project you are working on. Is this an instrumentation/ electronics design project, or is the tank pressure just incidental to something else? These kinds of sensors cost more than a few cents (think $12- $25 in quantity, depending on specifications). Most of these will be outputting an analog voltage that needs to be amplified and calibrated by circuitry you need to design. There are more expensive ones with digital output, but those still need to go into some kind of system or device that can take the signal and process it into values. And these are just bare sensors, they won't come with any metal housing that can attach them to a tank. Though Metalux used to make a housed sensor package for scuba tanks- if you are interested in doing the electronics design side let me know as I still have quite a few of these. Most pressure sensors that you can buy fully housed and ready to go are going to be for industrial uses and probably big and expensive.
If you goal is just to log pressure from a tank, I suspect you would be much better off just getting a dive computer with that capability.

-Ron

 

[diversteve]

You might contact Pelagic Pressure Systems
now owned by Aqualung.

 

[VE7DAC]

Digikey is a good bet, I see 4kpsi pressure transducers listed for less than C$70. Might need some high pressure adapters to get it to fit your application, but they're out there.

Edit: They Amphenol NPI-15VC series might work for you. It's pretty small and cheap.

 

[toastytoaster]

You can find high pressure sensors through distributors like Servoflo Pressure Sensors & Transducers but that may not get you all the way to what you want- depending on the project you are working on. Is this an instrumentation/ electronics design project, or is the tank pressure just incidental to something else? These kinds of sensors cost more than a few cents (think $12- $25 in quantity, depending on specifications). Most of these will be outputting an analog voltage that needs to be amplified and calibrated by circuitry you need to design. There are more expensive ones with digital output, but those still need to go into some kind of system or device that can take the signal and process it into values. And these are just bare sensors, they won't come with any metal housing that can attach them to a tank. Though Metalux used to make a housed sensor package for scuba tanks- if you are interested in doing the electronics design side let me know as I still have quite a few of these. Most pressure sensors that you can buy fully housed and ready to go are going to be for industrial uses and probably big and expensive.
If you goal is just to log pressure from a tank, I suspect you would be much better off just getting a dive computer with that capability.

-Ron

Thanks, this was really helpful info. I have no problem doing a little circuitry design, I knew that most of them would output an analog signal, I was planning on running that into an ADC and running the ADC into a raspberry pi.

 

[toastytoaster]

Digikey is a good bet, I see 4kpsi pressure transducers listed for less than C$70. Might need some high pressure adapters to get it to fit your application, but they're out there.

Edit: They Amphenol NPI-15VC series might work for you. It's pretty small and cheap.

Would you know where to get high pressure adapters, I couldn't find anything that was for high pressure that had the right threads, or it was listed for low pressure only or it didn't say.

 

[VE7DAC]

Would you know where to get high pressure adapters, I couldn't find anything that was for high pressure that had the right threads, or it was listed for low pressure only or it didn't say.

I suggest finding a local industrial hose and fitting supplier. One that carries hydraulic parts for heavy machinery. I've asked for some weird adapters for my day job, and they've always been able to help. If you explain what you're trying to adapt from and to, and what pressure rating you need, they should be able to order what you need if they don't have it in stock already.

 

[hsinhai]

MS5541 0-14 bar (200 PSI)
MS5541-30C 0-30 bar (435psi) [more commonly]