Dehumidifier TENDERbot

A automated ground vehicle to haul a hose, off a reel, from the dehumidifier in my room to a floor drain in another. Combined with a pump.

Michael

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Description

The purpose of my system is to eliminate the pesky task of emptying my dehumidifier when the water bucket fills up.

The proposed system will include four main components, apart from the dehumidifier:
1. A microprocessor control system. (Controller)
2. A remote control truck fitted with an autopilot and communication with the control system. (Vehicle)
3. An electric pump. (Pump)
4. A hose reel, fitted with a motorized retract mechanism, and communication with the control system. (Reel)

It essence, a remote control truck will be automated to drag a hose from my room to the utility room on the same floor, and position the hose over a floor drain. A pump will then empty the water tank, and the vehicle will return to its parking space next to the dehumidifier. A motorized hose reel will wind up the hose as the vehicle returns.

Challenges will include vehicle guidance, building a motorized hose reel on the cheap and, using water level sensor built into the dehumidifier.

Details

The operation of my system, in BROAD STROKES would be as follows:

1. A water level sensor, either the one built into the dehumidifier or one I add, will signal the controller.
2. The controller will dispatch the vehicle, which has the hose end attached to it, to drive from its home location (beneath the reel) to position the hose end over the floor drain in the next room.
3. The controller will switch on the pump, via relay, and the pump will transfer the water down the hose into