A Watchman as a boat fuel gauge?

[reeac]

I've seen a central heating oil tank gauge called a Watchman which is battery powered and transmits data to a mains-powered display indoors up to 100m. away. Anyone know of them and specifically what power the readout actually uses [12V. DC?]. Could have boaty applications. I believe that it reads the oil level by using ultrasonics. Costs about £65.

 

[pessimist]

Had one of these installed on our home CH system some years ago. Lasted all of six months. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Maybe they've improved in the meantime?

 

[Alfie168]

For our sins we install Watchmans on a number of housing asociation contracts we work on as they have been specified by the landlords..usually against our advice.

The good..ish news is that they mainly work, but the failure rate is on the high side, and the readings are not always as accurate as you'd hope for. There is a battery powered sender at the tank end with an aerial, and the readout plugs into a 13 amp socket in the house.

Its a good idea that does not quite deliver the degree of reliability/accuracy you would ideally want in a boat. This is just my personal opinion, and others may have a better experience of them.

Tim

 

[sarabande]

We have them installed on a number of red diesel tanks on the farm.

I suspect they not designed for a marine environment, as we have seen parts corroded from being stored.

Also, you need a "listening" post, powered off the mains.

It's a nice idea, but precision of readout, and lit reliability - well, perhaps no.