The Water Window

Set up & Install Guide v2.0

This tutorial introduces The Water Window tank monitoring system, guides you through connecting to it directly for setup, and finally installing it into your tank.

Items Supplied

Water Window Device
Outdoor Certified Power Supply
Level Sensor
Power supply pigtail connectors
Magnet - the reset switch is magnetically activated; hold the magnet near the drop to activate
Heat Shrink Tubing, Wire Nut Connectors

Items Not Included

12v low voltage wires to run between power outlet and meter.
Wires from previously installed level alarms or meters can be used with no issues.
If new wire is required, a direct burial rated wire, 18ga or larger, is recommended. Standard low voltage landscape lighting wires from any hardware store would be ideal.

Pre-Installation Setup Requirements

Laptop Computer or Desktop, Tablet or Phone with Wi-Fi capability. A computer is recommended for screen size and clarity during setup. If your computer does not have Wi-Fi, a smart device can be used to connect to your network.
110V power outlet
Good Wi-Fi signal from the network you intend to connect to.
Your home router name and password.
Wash sensor and cable with soap and warm water before installation.

Caution: Do not get water in the connector or inject pressurized water (e.g., from a tap) into the sensor head, as this will cause sensor damage. Gentle rinse only.

Component Description

Diagram showing the Water Window components: an outdoor-rated power supply, power supply pigtail connectors (one for the supply side, one for the meter side), the Water Window meter unit, and an in-tank sensor with 5m of cable. A temporary connector for initial setup is also shown. An image shows the Water Window meter connected to its power supply, with the indicator light visible. A separate image shows a water drop symbol with text 'Hold Magnet Here'.

Indicator Light

On power up:
- Constant slow blink: attempting to connect to Wi-Fi network.
- Repeatedly blinks 2 times: successfully connected to Wi-Fi network.
- Repeatedly blinks 3 times: connection to Wi-Fi network failed, entering Access Point mode.
On reset switch activation:
- Slow constant blink: normal reset will occur when the magnet is removed.
- Fast constant blink: begins approximately 3 seconds before factory reset occurs. When light stops flashing (approx. 10 seconds total), the meter will factory reset when the magnet is removed.

Part 1 – Network Set up

It is recommended to power up and configure the water meter prior to installation.

The Water Window can operate in two wireless modes:

Client Mode: Connects to your home router.
Access Point (AP) Mode: Broadcasts its own Wi-Fi network, used to connect directly to the Water Window for configuration or for standalone operation.

After power up or reset, the meter operates in both modes simultaneously for approximately 5 minutes. If it connects to a network within this time, it switches to Client mode only. If not, it remains in Access Point mode.

Connecting the Water Window to your Home Router

A Windows program is available to automate this process (see page 9). For other devices, follow the manual connection process:

Connect the power supply to the Water Window device using the pigtail wires, then plug the power supply into a wall outlet. The indicator light on the meter will start to flash.
On your computer, navigate to the Wi-Fi connection manager and scan for Wi-Fi networks. Connect to the “WaterWindow” network.
Note: Operating systems vary; this is an example for Windows 10. While connected directly to the Water Window, your computer will not have internet service. Computers may automatically switch back to your home network; ensure you are still connected to the Water Window.
Open an internet browser (Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and type 192.168.4.1 into the address bar, then press Enter. The Water Window wireless scan web page will open.

Note: The network scan is performed only during power up. If the desired network is not displayed, unplug and repeat steps 1-3.

Signal Level: A signal level greater than -79dbv usually works well. Levels between -80dbv and -90dbv may work but can cause increased loading times and disconnects. If signal is low, consider moving the Wi-Fi router closer or using a Wi-Fi repeater.

Select your preferred network from the “Connect” column.
Enter the Wi-Fi password into the pop-up box and click “Connect”.
The meter will connect to your network; record the displayed IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.215).
Once connected, click the “WIFI setup” button. Check the last IP Address field; a green dot indicates the meter is connected to the network.
Click the “Reset Meter” button to restart the meter with the new settings. Disconnect and reconnect your computer/device to your home Wi-Fi network.
Once reconnected to your home Wi-Fi, open a browser and type in the recorded IP address. Your Water Window is now connected via your router, allowing updates and alerts through your internet connection.

Note: IP addresses are assigned by the router and can change. The meter uses a network discovery process to help devices find it. Apple devices have this built-in; Windows, Android, and others require knowing the IP address.

Using the Windows Program to Connect the Water Window to your Home Router

A Windows program is available for download from the Water Window website. The program is not digitally signed, so Windows may show warnings; continue installation.

When run, the program searches the network for the Water Window meter and displays its current level. Clicking on a meter pane opens a browser to the meter's interface.

When the program opens, it broadcasts a request on your home network. Meters that respond are populated in the lower pane. The “check box” requests new level readings every few seconds.
The “Configure” button opens a screen to change the network the meter is connected to.
To configure a new meter or a reset meter, click the “New” button.
The “Direct Connect” screen performs Wi-Fi scans. If the meter uses the default SSID “WaterWindow”, it will be recognized with a green background. If the SSID was changed, select the new SSID. If the meter doesn't show up, ensure it's within Wi-Fi range and restart it.
Once the meter is displayed, click on it, enter the password if required (default is no password), and click connect.
The program connects the computer's Wi-Fi directly to the meter and changes to the “Connect WiFi” tab.
On this screen, choose the network for the Water Window. Options include: “Select from List”, “Same as Computer”, or “List From Meter”.
Choose a method, considering the installation location and available Wi-Fi networks.
Click on a network, enter the password if required, and click connect.
Upon successful connection, the program switches the computer's Wi-Fi back to its original network and attempts to open the meter's web pages through your home network.
If the connection fails, restart the meter and program, or try the manual configuration process.

Getting a Level Reading from The Water Window

Windows:

Use the downloadable Windows App.
Connect directly to the meter: Reset power, follow steps 1-3 of “Connecting the Water Window to your Home Router”, and record the new “Last IP Address” from the “WIFI Setup” screen. Update any shortcuts with the new IP address.
Configure your router for a specific/constant IP address using “DHCP Reservation” or “IP Reservation” (refer to router instructions or online guides).

Android Devices:

An app is available to find meters, view levels, and change settings. During first startup or if communication fails, the app searches the connected Wi-Fi network for meters. The app interface shows meters found on Wi-Fi, allows tapping a meter for the main display, and has a button to access the meter's built-in interface. The main display shows the water level, with options to change units or view historical graphs.

Apple Devices:

Use Safari browser and type the meter's Host Name (set in the Wi-Fi Setup screen) followed by “.local” into the address bar to open the meter. Note: Host names should be a single word with no spaces. A shortcut to the home screen can be created.

Part 2 – Setting up The Water Window

Once the meter is connected through your router, set up the following features:

Time and Date settings
Email and SMS Alerts
Sensor Calibration

Time and Date

From the Gauge screen, scroll down and click the “Setup” button (Network Settings Page). Scroll down again and select the “Time Setup” button.
The meter attempts to get the time from the internet. It also has an internal real-time clock. Updating time is usually only needed for changes like daylight saving.

Note: Auto Sync allows The Water Window to update its time from the internet every hour. You can change the time manually or using set buttons and click Save.

Click the Time Zone text box to select your current time zone.
Update the Current Meter Time manually, from the Internet Time text box, or from your computer.
Click the Save button to apply changes.

Email and Alert Setup

To enable Email and SMS alerts, the Water Window needs access to an email account. It is recommended to create a new, dedicated account for alerts for safety reasons.

Setup and use of a Gmail account is outlined as an example. Create your Gmail account by searching for “New Google Account”. Record your email address and password. Tip: Do not use personal information; keep the email and password random and easily locatable.

Note: The Water Window is not a registered device with Google and may not meet Google's security requirements. You must enable access for less secure devices by turning on 2-Step Verification and generating a Google-generated app password.

To do this: Log into your Google Account, navigate to account settings, select Security, and then “Signing in to Google” to enable “2-Step Verification”. Follow the steps to turn it on. Note that menus may change, but finding the “App setting” is usually straightforward.

Once 2-Step Verification is activated, click on it to open a new menu and scroll to the “App passwords” section. Select “App passwords” to generate a new access password. Enter a name for the meter (e.g., “MyWaterWindow”) and click “Create”. A new window will pop up with a password; copy/paste this into the Water Window's email setup screen. This app password is valid until the account password is reset.

With your new Gmail set up, sign back into the meter via your browser. Navigate to and click the “Email Setup” button, enter your information, and test the alert. Enter your Gmail address and the generated app password in the password field. For SMS alerts, enter “YourPhoneNumber@????” from your cell provider (refer to the provided list for specific provider formats). After clicking “Test Email”, you should receive messages within seconds. If not, re-enter information and test again. If alerts are still not received, check the event log in the Firmware Update screen or your Gmail account for errors.

Alerts

After email setup, click the “Alerts” button to set notifications based on falling/rising levels or repeating time of day/week.

Level Alerts: Select Rising or Falling alert, enter the trigger level, your email address, SMS email address, subject line comment, and email body comment.

Time Alerts: Select Daily or Weekly alert, click the Time box to open a day/time picker, and select the trigger time. Fill out the other fields similarly to level alerts.

Up to 6 level alerts and 4 day/time alerts can be created.

Sensor Calibration

Setting up your sensor requires an inner tank height. The “zero maintenance” sensor measures water height up to 5m. For accurate percentage or volume calculation, the tank should be uniform from top to bottom.

Measure only the open space from the bottom to the top of the tank, excluding fill pipes or roof thickness. This measurement sets the 100% full point.

Click the “Sensor Calibration” button from the bottom menu.
The “Current reading” field shows raw sensor input; in air (0 depth), it should display approximately 660mv.
Sensor Type: Choose between the standard sensor (up to 5m) or the extended range sensor (up to 20m).
Sensor Offset to Bottom: If the sensor is placed on the tank bottom, use 0cm. If it's hung above sediment, measure the distance from the tank bottom to the sensor bottom and enter it here to correct the displayed level.

Tank Information: Enter your inner tank height in cm. If you know your tank's volume in liters, divide it by the inner tank height to get Liters per Centimeter (L/cm). If tank dimensions are not uniform, measure only the uniform portion.

Measurement Intervals: This determines how often a reading is taken.

High Rate: Up to 2 seconds, used when a web page is open or a tank fill event is detected.
Normal Rate: Up to 10 seconds, used at all other times.

Typically, tank levels don't change rapidly, so the sensor powers down between readings. If levels change quickly, increase the sample rate for better resolution.

Click Save.

Part 3 – Installing the Water Window

Installing your meter at the tank

The Water Window comes with a CSA compliant 12VDC power supply. The user is responsible for all onsite wiring and compliance with local regulations.

The power requirement is flexible; any paired conductor wire will work. A direct burial rated wire, 18ga or larger, is recommended. Standard low voltage landscape lighting wires are also suitable. Existing wires from a float level alarm can be repurposed. Solder connections and seal them to prevent moisture.

Determine installation location:
- The meter must be mounted vertically with the sensor and power cable coming out the bottom. Do not lay flat on the ground, as the sensor connector's vent hole can allow water entry and damage the unit.
- Mount the meter 30cm to 50cm (12” to 18”) above the ground, with the front face pointed towards the Wi-Fi access point.
- When connecting connectors, do not over tighten; they are plastic and can break, or water seals can be damaged. They only need to be lightly snugged.
- Choose a location near the tank with a clear path to the router, minimizing obstructions like walls or bushes, as these reduce Wi-Fi signal.
- Mount the meter to a suitable object like a wooden stake or vent pipe. Do not mount to metal, as it can distort and interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
Testing the meter: Before final installation, test the meter in the desired location using an extension cord. Monitor the indicator light: 2 blinks indicate connection to the home network; 3 blinks indicate failure and entry into Access Point mode.
Check Wi-Fi signal: Using a computer, connect to the meter and go to the WIFI Setup page. Review the connection signal strength to ensure it's sufficient.
Mount and install power line: Once the location is chosen, mount The Water Window and install the power line. The supplied power supply is CSA certified and must not be tampered with. Only low voltage wires between the supply and unit can be spliced and extended.
Splice wires: Splice the required length of wire between the pigtails. Test the unit before burying or routing the wire. If the light doesn't flash, check wire polarity; the unit is protected from reverse polarity, so simply swap wires.

Warning: Do not use the temporary connector for final installation. It is for indoor setup only and is not weather-rated. Final splices should be soldered and sealed with heat shrink tubing or an outdoor-rated connector.

Sensor Installation

Warning: Do not damage the sensor cable jacket. Damage can allow water entry, shorting the sensor electronics. Route the cable carefully, avoiding pinching or crushing, and keep it away from machinery.

In a clean cistern, the sensor can be laid directly on the bottom of the tank.
If the tank has significant sediment, hang the sensor above the sediment to prevent port plugging. Install a pole or pipe from top to bottom for attaching the sensor at the desired height.
If the tank forms ice in winter, install a pipe from top to bottom for the sensor wire to run through, preventing ice from pulling the cable apart as the level drops.

Appendix A

Setting up a reserved IP if your WIFI router for the Water Window

This process requires knowledge of your home router. The following outlines steps using a Trendnet TEW-810DR router as an example. Water Window Inc. is not responsible for issues arising from router changes. If uncomfortable, seek experienced help. A Google search using your router model and “DHCP reservation” will provide detailed instructions.

Connect to your home router via Wi-Fi or LAN. Type the router's IP address into a browser search bar. The default IP address, username, and password are usually on the back of the router.
Navigate to the router's LAN settings screen.
In the “Add DHCP Reservation” section, enter a name for the meter (e.g., “WaterWindow”), the desired IP address (within the DHCP Start and End range), and the meter's MAC address (found on the meter's label or in the “WIFI Setup” screen).
Click the “Add” button to save the reservation.
Restart the router; the reserved address will be assigned to the meter.
You can now create shortcut links to the meter on your desktop or main screens, knowing the IP address will not change.