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Old 24-11-2022, 11:13   #1
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Black water tank sensor recommendation

I have heard that in-tank sensors easily clog when placed into blackwater tanks. So I purchased an ultrasonic one that mounts to the outside of the tank, that failed to work at all.

Any recommendations for a tank sensor (of any type) for an 8-gallon rectangular HDPE (plastic) tank?

Can output voltage or resistance.
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Old 24-11-2022, 11:31   #2
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

The tank tender is popular. It uses pressure to sense fullness and it doesn't require any electrical power.

https://tanktender.com/

Good luck! I gave up on using tank monitors. Luckily, I have easy access to my water tank, blackwater tank and gas tank and I can just put eyes on it.
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Old 24-11-2022, 11:34   #3
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

I’m using capacitive sensors mounted on the outside € 4,41 13% Off | XKC Y25 T12V Liquid Level Sensor Switch Detector Water Non Contact Manufacturer Induction Stick Type Durable Y25-T12V XKC-Y25-V
https://star.aliexpress.com/share/sh...%3DsocialShare
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Old 24-11-2022, 11:51   #4
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Scad Tank Monitors are top rated..they use senders that go on the outside of the tank.


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Old 24-11-2022, 13:18   #5
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

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Originally Posted by peghall View Post
Scad Tank Monitors are top rated..they use senders that go on the outside of the tank.


--Peggie
They also have a capacitive internal sensor if an installation won't work with external sensors. It's a good product.
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Old 25-11-2022, 00:29   #6
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

I have to say for around $5 each the little Chinese sensors I referenced have worked well. I supply them with stable 12v and thd ope. Collector NPN output can switch small relays.
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Old 25-11-2022, 05:21   #7
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

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Originally Posted by peghall View Post
Scad Tank Monitors are top rated..they use senders that go on the outside of the tank.


--Peggie
Thanks, Peggie. I've been looking to take on this project on my boat for a while, too. My boat has the old Snake River LCD tank monitors that have stopped working.
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Old 25-11-2022, 06:02   #8
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

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Originally Posted by bensolomon View Post
Thanks, Peggie. I've been looking to take on this project on my boat for a while, too. My boat has the old Snake River LCD tank monitors that have stopped working.


At $150 pricey.

Inbuilt one of these from scratch I found it tricky to protect the foul from damage It has the undeniable advantage of being continuously variable.

The ones I referenced are cheap troublecfree and reliable and need a tube of glue.
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Old 25-11-2022, 09:43   #9
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Quote:
Originally Posted by goboatingnow View Post
I’m using capacitive sensors mounted on the outside € 4,41 13% Off | XKC Y25 T12V Liquid Level Sensor Switch Detector Water Non Contact Manufacturer Induction Stick Type Durable Y25-T12V XKC-Y25-V
https://star.aliexpress.com/share/sh...%3DsocialShare
Do you place this unit on the side of the tank and then it will trigger when the liquid reaches that level?
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Old 25-11-2022, 12:32   #10
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Quote:
Originally Posted by goboatingnow View Post
I’m using capacitive sensors mounted on the outside...
Quote:
Originally Posted by maine-cruiser View Post
Do you place this unit on the side of the tank and then it will trigger when the liquid reaches that level?
Same question here. The description in Ali isn't very clear (are they ever?) but it does say this:

Quote:
Liquid level sensor is installed under container (high level and low level)
That doesn't really sound right. It looks more like this is a binary type sensor. So you'd need, say, four of them for each tank, and connect them to lights which indicate 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, Full.
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Old 25-11-2022, 23:29   #11
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Does the Scad Sensor work with the black water tanks on the 2000 Grand Banks Eastbay boats? I think the tank is fiberglass and it seems very thick...

Thanks in advance

http://www.scadtech.com/tank_monitors
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Old 26-11-2022, 03:30   #12
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Very simple very cheap,very clean. My tank is white polyethylene. I have a very strong white led on top of the tank near the edge. the tank sits behind a sheet of ply in which I cut a vertical slot revealing a long thin segment of the tank. Turn on the light after dark or in the shade and you can very clearly see the height of the liquid.
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Old 26-11-2022, 04:45   #13
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom View Post
Same question here. The description in Ali isn't very clear (are they ever?) but it does say this:







That doesn't really sound right. It looks more like this is a binary type sensor. So you'd need, say, four of them for each tank, and connect them to lights which indicate 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, Full.


Correct. You just stick them on the side and adjust the sensitivity as required you have as many as required on my holding tank it’s empty , 2/3 ½,2/3 full
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Old 26-11-2022, 05:00   #14
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

I have installed the Chinese ones hooked up to small LEDs, the ones set into a light metal sleeve work well. I made a small control panel with three LEDs and a simple on/off switch. I have sensors at about half and near full (say 3/4+) to warn when it is time to empty. I put one quite low on the tank to indicate, by turning off, when pompous is complete. Had some difficulty getting the sensors to stick to the slippery plastic tank. Found that 5200 worked fine but otter things not - Gorilla Glue and contact cement not working. Total cost was less than CDN$25 with sensors and LEDs from Aliexpress. You can get the same things (exactly the same!) on eBay and Amazon, people just import and resell at 3x the price.
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Old 26-11-2022, 06:21   #15
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Re: Black water tank sensor recommendation

Alas, the capacitive sensors will not work on my stainless tank. The TankTender is crazy expensive, I've seen a similar one for RV black water tanks that is a lot less.

https://horstmiraclegauge.com/
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