Simple Water Detection Circuit

Simple Water Detection Circuit
Water detection circuit

As part of a project to make DIY water activated diving flashing marker, I needed a simple circuit to detect when the marker is in contact with water. Turns all all it takes to do that is a a couple of basic components. Here is the diagram; P1 and P2 are the probes that will be in contact with water:

Water detection circuit
Water detection circuit

The LED (and its current limiting resistor) can be replaced with a buzzer circuit, a micro-controller, or another “smart” component to notify you of the water presence.

For my purposes it will connect to a 555 timer circuit that will control the duty cycle and on-off times of the flashing marker to maximize battery life. The whole circuit, including a coin cell battery will be encased with epoxy, to allow it to function underwater, during dives, so minimizing current draw, while ensuring the LED is still visible underwater is key. Below is my breadboard prototype:

Water Detection circuit prototype: probes “dry” and LED off.
Water Detection Circuit

Probes in contact with water and the LED is on, it works!

It is important to note that pure (distilled) water is not a good conductor and this circuit may not work so well. It works fine with tap water and even better in salty water (where I will be using the diving flasher).

The 1K R2 resistor is there to protect the NPN transistor, in case the two contacts (P1 and P2) are connected by something more conductive than water.

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