Automated Low Investment Cost Evaporometers (ALICEs)

Abstract

Evaporation is an important part of the hydrological cycle. This paper discusses the materials and methods we used to develop an evaporometer, which measures evaporation from the water surface, like a drop in water level. The main problem is that there are relatively small differences in the levels measured directly in the field. During the research, we tested conductive filament and stainless steel as measuring electrode materials. We used 3D printing in combination with low-cost open-source electronics and a hand-etched circuit board to make a device which measures the free water surface level. A 3D printed jig is used when assembling the device, and this ensures that the contact electrodes are set precisely. Another 3D printed jig is used to create the etched circuit board, which holds all the electronic devices. The device uses the low-cost open-source Arduino Uno electronics microcontroller board. Our results show that high-precision measurements can be gathered with the use of open-source electronics in 3D printed housing. The device is also durable and easy to maintain.