Capacitive distance sensors recos?

[Xerjoff Lira]

I plan to work on a PID distance control project and trying to use a capacitive sensor to measure the gap (0 to about 1 inch) to a metal plate. I need an analog signal for my Arduino. I am having trouble finding a cheap capacitive sensor with a direct analog output. all the budget friendly ones I'm seeing seem to be just digital that just goes on and off.

anyone here know if those cheap digital capacitive proximity sensors can be modified for an analog output? Or am I missing some readily available capacitive distance sensors out there? Any recos? thanks!

 

[inadaze-45]

If you need a more reliable and off the shelf solution within your budget, consider searching for capacitive displacement sensor analog output on electronics companies like DigiKey or Mouser filtering by analog output and desired range, but be prepared for higher cost.

But let's see what the others say. they might have other options for you.

 

[poseidon't]

If you need a more reliable and off the shelf solution within your budget, consider searching for capacitive displacement sensor analog output on electronics companies like DigiKey or Mouser filtering by analog output and desired range, but be prepared for higher cost.

But let's see what the others say. they might have other options for you.

Agree with this. Those are my only 2 options too so far as they have been extremely reliable since I started.

 

[CRINGEYBOY]

The comments on ready-made displacement sensors are accurate if you're aiming for a finalized design. But for your build, fabricating your own sensor using a copper plate and a specialized IC like the FDC1004 to detect capacitance might be a better route, since altering the low-cost digital types isn't really an option.