Development of an electronic pulse counting device for hydrometric current meters

Abstract

This work presents the development of an electronic pulse counting device attachable to hydrometric current meters, utilizing the Arduino platform and 3D printing technologies. The primary objective was to create a more accessible and functional solution for discharge measurement in water bodies, especially under adverse conditions, such as turbid or high-velocity waters, where the precision of manual measurements is compromised. The proposed system integrates an Arduino UNO microcontroller, affordable components, and a 3D-printed housing, resulting in equipment with approximately 10% of the acquisition cost of commercial models and proven efficient performance. Comparative tests with a commercial pulse counter demonstrated that the prototype achieved equivalent results, with average percentage errors of 5%, validating its practical applicability. Furthermore, the project stands out for its ease of maintenance and customization—features not found in commercial devices—allowing it to contribute to the optimization and evolution of hydrological monitoring.