Lift-station monitor that predicts overflows and pump trouble
Software: $39 per month per station
Concept, not for sale yet. Tell us if you want it; that decides what we build.
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How it fits together
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01
The whole LiftStation AI
A box in the pump panel watches float contacts and pump current, then calls the owner when the level is high or a pump fails.
02Brain
nRF9151 (LTE-M)
The brain: it runs the liftstation firmware program
03
Float and panel inputs
Reads dry contacts: high-level float, contactors, generator, door
nRF9151 (LTE-M) · Optocouplers to GPIO · 8 on/off signals
04
Pump current clamps
Measure each pump motor's current, giving run time and health
nRF9151 (LTE-M) · ADC over SPI · Current samples
05
Strobe relay
Switches a local strobe or horn on a high-level alarm
nRF9151 (LTE-M) · GPIO via MOSFET · Strobe on/off
06
Buzzer
Sounds locally until someone silences the alarm
nRF9151 (LTE-M) · GPIO (PWM) · 2.7 kHz tone
07
DIN-rail 24 V supply
Powers the board from the panel's mains
nRF9151 (LTE-M) · 24 V power lead · 24 V power
08
Backup cell
Keeps the alarm call alive when power fails
nRF9151 (LTE-M) · Ideal-diode power OR · 3.6 V backup power
09
All connected
7 key parts, one program, and your phone
What it is
A wall-mounted monitor with a radar level puck and pump sensors for sewage lift stations.
What it does
Who it's for
Water and wastewater utilities, cities, towns and their SCADA integrators.
How the parts connect
Every part, what links it to the brain, and how the data reaches your phone. A solid line is a cable; a dashed line is a radio link.
The program
while (1) {
k_sleep(K_MSEC(1));
inputs = scan_inputs(); // opto outputs, 50 ms debounce
if (drdy()) ct_rms = ads131m04_read(); // SPI, per-cycle RMS
for (each changed input) {
if (is_alarm(input))
mqtt_publish("iemi/lift/<site>/<dev>/alarm", alarm_json(input), QOS1);
update_cycle(&pump, input, ct_rms);
}
if (vin_volts() < 18.0) send_power_fail(); // runs on the backup cell
if (every_15_min()) mqtt_publish("iemi/lift/<site>/<dev>/cycles", cycles_json(), QOS1);
}To your phone
Phone call, SMS, and a web app
One screen for each job LiftStation AI does.
High levelAt 2 am the high-level float trips at lift station 1. The on-call list is phoned in turn until someone presses 1 to accept.
Pump healthEvery pump run is logged. Over three weeks pump 2 takes longer to pump down while its current rises, which usually means debris.
Power lossA storm cuts mains power to the panel. The backup cell keeps the radio on, so the crew knows before the wet well starts to fill.
App screens with sample data. The interface is in development.
| High-level alarm | Station 4 high level | At once |
|---|---|---|
| Pump current | 14.8 A | Each cycle |
| Pump capacity | 86% of normal | Each cycle |
| Power state | Mains on, 24.1 V | Hourly |
| Signal strength | −104 dBm | Hourly |
Callout contacts stay in the cloud, never on the device. Each device has its own certificate; no inbound ports.
CAD design · Design complete (stages 1–6, rev A), not built, not validated
| AI processor | STM32N6 (on-device pump-health model) |
|---|---|
| Sensors | 60 GHz radar level sensor (radar puck on 5 m cable) · Clamp-on pump current sensors · Magnetic vibration pods for pump motors · Float backup and generator-run inputs |
| Connectivity | LTE-M / NB-IoT · Modbus RTU / TCP · DNP3 outstation · Alarm relay outputs |
| Power | 12/24 V DC or 120/230 V AC, with 24-hour battery backup for power-fail reporting (target) |
| Enclosure | Light-grey wall box with hinged clear lid, teal stripe, small e-ink status window and stub antenna; white radar puck under the wet-well hatch; magnetic vibration pods on the pump motors |
| Dimensions | Wall box 25 × 20 × 12 cm; radar puck Ø10 × 6 cm on 5 m cable; vibration pods 4 × 4 × 3 cm |
| Ingress rating | NEMA 4X (target) |
| Level | 60 GHz non-contact radar |
|---|---|
| Pump current | 2–4 clamp-on current sensors |
| Vibration | Magnetic pods, one per pump |
| Inputs | Float backup, generator run |
| Alarms | High level, overflow risk, pump fault, power fail |
|---|---|
| Cellular | LTE-M / NB-IoT |
| SCADA | Modbus RTU / TCP and DNP3 outstation |
| On-site display | E-ink status window |
| Supply | 12/24 V DC or 120/230 V AC |
|---|---|
| Backup | 24-hour battery for power-fail reporting |
| Wall box | 25 × 20 × 12 cm, NEMA 4X (target) |
| Radar puck | Ø10 × 6 cm, 5 m cable |
Targets for production units; they may change during development.
Hardware: $1,390 per station (controller + radar; pump-sensor kits per pump)
Software: $39 per month per station
Target pricing. Pump-sensor kits (current sensors + vibration pod) about $300 per pump (est.). Installation by your integrator or electrician is quoted per site.
$1,390 + $39/mo per station
Radar level, alarms and power-fail reporting.
$1,390 + ~$300 per pump + $39/mo
Adds pump current and vibration sensing with AI pump-health scores.
Custom
For utilities and integrators rolling out many stations.
Indicative launch pricing in USD, excluding taxes and shipping. Final pricing is confirmed before any balance is charged.
Community
LiftStation AI is in development. Rate the idea, tell us what to change about the features, specs or price, and we'll build it with your feedback.
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Questions
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From the product lab · ideation phase
Only station data: level, pump current, vibration features, alarms and power status. There is no camera and no personal data. Data goes to your dashboard and to your SCADA, and you control who can see it.
No. Wet wells are often classified as hazardous locations. LiftStation holds no intrinsic-safety or hazardous-location certification, so the radar head must be installed outside the classified space unless and until a certified version exists. Your engineer or AHJ confirms the area classification for each site. NEMA 4X is a design target, and FCC/CE and carrier certification testing is planned.
No. LiftStation is a monitoring and early-warning aid. It does not replace your pump controls, float switches or permit duties, and it does not make you compliant. It helps you evidence station performance.
The wall box mounts in the control kiosk, the radar puck sits on a bracket under the wet-well hatch on its 5 m cable, current sensors clip around the pump supply leads and the vibration pods stick magnetically to the pump motors. Installation by your electrician or integrator is expected to take a few hours per station (est.).
LTE-M / NB-IoT with a SIM for alarms and the dashboard, plus Modbus RTU / TCP and DNP3 to existing SCADA. Alarms are still raised locally if the cellular network is down.
No. It is in development and the specifications are targets. It is a concept: we are not taking orders, reservations or deposits, and it has no ship date yet.
We are planning a 2-year limited hardware warranty covering manufacturing defects. Final terms will be published before shipping begins.
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