Tank gauges
- Thread starter zedmolar
- Start date
WHY ?
What make are your present gauges ? Are you having problems with them ? If no problems, wait until they fail. I've been waiting 28 years and the only failure to date on a new 1998 boat is the holding tank which failed in the first month.
The only advantage of swapping out your sensors is that you may be able to see all of your tank read outs on one panel.
What make are your present gauges ? Are you having problems with them ? If no problems, wait until they fail. I've been waiting 28 years and the only failure to date on a new 1998 boat is the holding tank which failed in the first month.
The only advantage of swapping out your sensors is that you may be able to see all of your tank read outs on one panel.
So long as the tank sensor hasn't failed there is no reason to upgrade the sensor, except perhaps to put the sensor information on the NMEA 2000 network. In which case it is not necessary to replace the sensor, a device like this one from Navico (Simrad/Lowrance/B&G). When I added tank sensors to the water tanks I used it and it works well.
www.simrad-yachting.com
Although pricey, the best tank sensor for a holding tank is the Gobius C. The big problem with float style sensors on holding tanks is the stuff in the tank which clogs the float. The Gobius C uses a micro-radar to sense tank levels even through the tank wall. Cool device that works well.
gobiusc.com
Fluid Level Sensor
Fluid Level Sensor: Transmits the tank level from a suitable tank level sender unit on the the NMEA 2000 network. Replaces EP-65.
Although pricey, the best tank sensor for a holding tank is the Gobius C. The big problem with float style sensors on holding tanks is the stuff in the tank which clogs the float. The Gobius C uses a micro-radar to sense tank levels even through the tank wall. Cool device that works well.
Gobius C
gobiusc.com
We removed the OEM gauge and connected the tank sensors to the Cerbo GX analog inputs. The CerboGX is connected to the N2K network and sends the levels throughout the ship.
Like others have said, I'll keep my simple resistive floats for as long as they work... We did have to replace the holding tank sensor after 24 years. The other neat party trick with the Cerbo GX is you can calibrate the sensor resistance to the shape of the tank, making them quite accurate. Our fuel tank is within 1-2 L. Our fresh water tank runs out about 20 seconds after the Cerbo GX says it's at 0 L. You just need to figure out the shape, spit that into AI along with the resistive limits of the sender (full / empty) and it will spit out a correction chart. For the fuel tank, we tweaked it by refuelling.
For LPG we use a wireless bluetooth sensor, which also goes to the Cerbo GX.
Like others have said, I'll keep my simple resistive floats for as long as they work... We did have to replace the holding tank sensor after 24 years. The other neat party trick with the Cerbo GX is you can calibrate the sensor resistance to the shape of the tank, making them quite accurate. Our fuel tank is within 1-2 L. Our fresh water tank runs out about 20 seconds after the Cerbo GX says it's at 0 L. You just need to figure out the shape, spit that into AI along with the resistive limits of the sender (full / empty) and it will spit out a correction chart. For the fuel tank, we tweaked it by refuelling.
For LPG we use a wireless bluetooth sensor, which also goes to the Cerbo GX.
I replaced all tank sensors on my boat with ones similar to the ones you find on Amazon for anywhere from $29 and up that is a straight tube with a float inside. They even make them for holding tanks with a protective tube that keeps the toilet paper and feces out of the sensor. I have never had a failure in 12 years. They do requires 12vdc for power. You only need to know the depth you want usually in inches. I chose one 2 inches less for my fuel tank so when the gauge reads "O" I know I have a few gallons of fuel left in case I need it for getting back to port.