Visit our Popular Forums

Sailuke · 21-06-2016, 13:34

Im tired of just guessing if my holding tank is full. Does anyone know if anyone makes a simple holding tank sending unit and gauge for less than 100$? Ive seen the holding tank models before(>250$), but would a regular fuel tank sending unit (40$) work too?

valhalla360 · 21-06-2016, 14:06

We have one on our RV and its a joke. Once the sides get a little goop on them, it constantly reads full.

I would expect issues with a fuel tank sensor as the solids would clog it up.

Tkeeth · 21-06-2016, 14:20

I havent been able to keep one working. The ones that go on the outside look promising, but they have to be on plastic tanks...i have metal.

ullar · 21-06-2016, 14:42

There is the Swedish Gobius that has outside detectors and works also with stainless steels tanks. Price was about EUR 250.- if I remember correctly.

gordwedman · 21-06-2016, 15:47

I had a Weema sender where the float is in a perforated metal tube with the idea that it would not get tangled up but I never got it to work. A friend went through 2 of the senders that go on the outside of a plastic tank before he gave up on them. I believe there is more than one thread on this board about this so you might try a search (or maybe it was on the SSCA site). I doubt you will find a cheap one that is reliable.

**StuM** · 21-06-2016, 15:56

Just a thought - in another thread, someone was looking at putting load cell(s) under the tank and using weight to determine "fullness".

peghall · 21-06-2016, 16:37

Practical Sailor made the SCAD Profile Tank Monitors Scad Tank Monitors their "editors choice" in a shootout with a bunch of others. SCAD is actually just a private label brand name of the Profile systems Profile Tank Monitors available directly from the mfr for a good bit less $$. The sender goes on the outside of the tank, so it can never become clogged. The price for the Solo (single tank) is a bit more than $100 ($105 + $35 for the sender), but you're not gonna find one that works and lasts for more than a year or two without the need to pull out the sender to clean it.

RaymondR · 22-06-2016, 00:35

I would look for an ultrasonic tank level gauge. Mounts on top of the tank, no moving parts down in the **** (vernacular for waste products or excreta) away from corrosive fluids but more complex electronically.

ranger58sb · 22-06-2016, 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordwedman

I had a Weema sender where the float is in a perforated metal tube with the idea that it would not get tangled up but I never got it to work.

I'm surprised. They're fairly low-tech. Assuming you had WEMA's newer stainless model, as long as you had power and continuity, resistance pretty much works as expected.

They CAN get clogged up with crystalline uric scale, over time... at which point the float can't move. Easily cleaned.

Not a recommendation, just an observation...

-Chris

DavefromNZ · 22-06-2016, 05:38

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=168229

BEP Ultrasonic works just fine

Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Omega46 · 22-06-2016, 08:05

I put light behind the tank and can see what I need

pitlaw · 22-06-2016, 09:19

Go to ferriellosales.com. Call Frank for first person service and a discount. I have his tank monitor and it was under $150. It works great and was easy to o install. Its not hard to keep the inside of the tank clean with Raritans KO product. If I am remembering correctly the Scad monitor may be his rebadged. It looks just like it. I am very satisfied.

briblack · 22-06-2016, 09:32

I've used a Tank Tender for this and my other tanks, on our last two boats. works fine, generally. the air tube can get blocked, but seldom and easy to fix.

Tetepare · 22-06-2016, 09:49

Mine is 20 years old and works great. Tank gets full, little light goes on.

You can tell who doesn't have one because they're either always at the pumpout or there's a brown stain down the hull.

Unfortunately I'm not on the boat right now so can't tell you the make. I can't imagine it was very expensive, it's a sender and a light and some wiring.