Tired of Hunter tank monitors and want to switch to SCAD

[ccw505]

Hello All,

I’ve been through the forums in search of fixing my consistently unreliable tank monitors. Per Peggy’s recommendations throughout this forum, I think the SCAD replacement is my best option. However it appears that they only offer a 2 tank max model. What are other folks doing if they want to replace all the monitors? In my case, with a Hunter 460, I’d be replacing 7 tank monitors in all (fuel tank has a dedicated gauge that appears to work fine). Thanks for any input and apologies if this has already been discussed and I’ve missed it.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Usually, the only tank monitor which presents a problem is the holding tank monitor. Sticks because you don't know what is in there ! Both fuel and potable water should be problem free if the probes are electrical.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

SCAD uses sensors that are attached to the outside of the tank (any material except metal( and offers both single and two tank systems.Scad Tank Monitors They're available from a number of retailers including Amazon.

--Peggie

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Usually, the only tank monitor which presents a problem is the holding tank monitor. Sticks because you don't know what is in there !

There hadn't better be anything in a holding tank but human body waste and the waste from toilets, which can include TP. Internal holding tank sensors clog because human waste is sticky. A tank level monitor that uses sensors applied to the outside of the tank eliminates this problem

--Peggie

 

[ccw505]

Hi Peggy,

My water and holding tanks currently have the external metal strip sensors a la some snake river subsidiary. My understanding from your other posts is that the SCAD models are higher quality and more reliable - thus my desire to upgrade to SCAD sensors.

The SCAD monitors only come in a 1 or 2 tank system which means I’d need to buy 4 units to monitor all my tanks. Is this what other folks are doing?

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I have the Scad system on my boat for 2 years. Good price and very good support from Sailorssolutions.com.
The only problem is that holding a button too long puts it in setup mode, and crew members may do that thinking they can get a continuous reading (it’s only momentary). Then when they see “odd flashing” they press again and wreck the settings/calibration. My solution is a DO NOT TOUCH label above the panel and brief explanation to those who ask.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The SCAD monitors only come in a 1 or 2 tank system which means I’d need to buy 4 units to monitor all my tanks. Is this what other folks are doing?

Unless you have more than 4 tanks, you should only need to buy two 2-tank systems, which have panels to monitor two tanks. If any of them are metal, the only difference would be the sensor(s) and SCAD does make a sensor designed for use in metal tanks. It uses a sensor that's encased in PVC, designed to be inserted into the tank...the same panels would work on all of 'em Give the folks at SCAD a call to discuss.

--Peggie

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I have an arduino setup that uses LED bars and external touchless sensors. It works with two tanks. I haven't been able to get it to work with three for some reason but cost for hardware is probably around $40 so it's not too expensive to use multiple arduino setups. Let me know if you want the code and info on it

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Can the SCAD sensor be used as a signal switch? I would like to retrofit the sensors onto the "Naviop" system aboard my Bavaria. I have a 12 volt source and just need a trigger to signal when the tank is full.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Can the SCAD sensor be used as a signal switch? I would like to retrofit the sensors onto the "Naviop" system aboard my Bavaria. I have a 12 volt source and just need a trigger to signal when the tank is full.

From the instructions: “During an alarm condition, the orange external alarm wire is energized with the battery voltage level capable of current up to 1 amp, which can be used to power an indicator light,
audible alarm or relay. “

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

You can alarm on empty (e.g. water tank) or full (holding tank)

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I recommend that you set the alarm on "3/4" instead of "full"...for two reasons: 1. USCG regs require a means of knowing when a tank is 3/4 full. That can be done without a tank monitor if the location and tank material allow convenient visual inspection of the level in the tank. 2. If you install a tank level monitor, they all have a panel that you can check visually, but if you're gonna rely on an audible alarm instead, that alarm needs to meet USCG requirements...and you'll be glad it does 'cuz your alarm may consider "full" to actually be overflowing or a guest may not know what it means and heeling could cause false alarms to go off and knowing that your tank isn't overflowing when that happens is worthwhile.

Just a suggestion...

--Peggie

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I recommend that you set the alarm on "3/4" instead of "full"...for two reasons: 1. USCG regs require a means of knowing when a tank is 3/4 full. That can be done without a tank monitor if the location and tank material allow convenient visual inspection of the level in the tank. 2. If you install a tank level monitor, they all have a panel that you can check visually, but if you're gonna rely on an audible alarm instead, that alarm needs to meet USCG requirements...and you'll be glad it does 'cuz your alarm may consider "full" to actually be overflowing or a guest may not know what it means and heeling could cause false alarms to go off and knowing that your tank isn't overflowing when that happens is worthwhile.

Just a suggestion...

--Peggie

The SCAD tank monitor can alarm on empty or full. (Choose one or the other). Not 3/4.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Can the SCAD sensor be used as a signal switch? I would like to retrofit the sensors onto the "Naviop" system aboard my Bavaria. I have a 12 volt source and just need a trigger to signal when the tank is full.

I've used these in the past. They work upto 24v. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FXQS68H?ref=

 

[Jan_H]

The SCAD tank monitor can alarm on empty or full. (Choose one or the other). Not 3/4.

So set tank 'full' level at the 3/4 mark....

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

So set tank 'full' level at the 3/4 mark....

It doesn't work that way. If you were to calibrate it to accurately read FULL. Then empty it again and recalibrate again when you actually reach 3/4 so it reads FULL; then all your readings will be off. You wouldn't know whether a reading is full or FULL.
IDK about you, but my tanks aren't so huge that I’m willing to give up the use of 1/4 of the available space.

 

[artboas]

I have an arduino setup that uses LED bars and external touchless sensors. It works with two tanks. I haven't been able to get it to work with three for some reason but cost for hardware is probably around $40 so it's not too expensive to use multiple arduino setups. Let me know if you want the code and info on it

Please PM me details on what you’ve done.
I’m not sure why you are having problems expanding this, as the Arduino has tons of I/O.
I assume the sensors are capacitance measuring devices ??