RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM PENGUKUR pH METER & TDS ( TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS) METER AIR TAWAR UNTUK MEMENUHI KEBUTUHAN AKOMODASI DI ATAS KAPAL

Abstract

Freshwater is a vital necessity for accommodation on board ships, used for drinking, bathing, and sanitation. To maintain its quality, a monitoring system is required to measure key parameters such as pH and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). This study aims to design and develop a freshwater quality monitoring system based on the ATmega328P microcontroller (Arduino UNO), utilizing the pH-4502C sensor and TDS Meter V1.0. The system is built to provide real-time readings of water quality parameters displayed on a 16x2 LCD, and it includes a buzzer alarm to alert users when values fall outside the normal range. The method used in this study is Research and Development (R&D), involving stages such as needs observation, system design, testing, expert validation, and user evaluation. Data was collected through direct observation aboard MV. Federal Osaka and testing of different water samples including salt water, municipal water, and distilled water. The test results show that the device is capable of accurately reading pH values within the 6.5–8.5 range and TDS levels below 300 ppm. Validation from both experts and users indicated an eligibility rating above 88%, demonstrating the system's practicality and suitability for onboard application. In conclusion, this monitoring system is effective, cost-efficient, and feasible for implementation on ships to help maintain the quality of accommodation freshwater and improve the health and comfort of the crew.