Fresh water gauge

[jordanbasset]

We have one of these complete with fittings on every tank. Not cheap but it measures fuel level or water level in various tanks at the push of a button. Remarkably accurate.

It's a tiny flexible pipe that runs to each tank and you can put the gauge itself anywhere. Ours is in the galley, but that's only because it's where the previous owner fitted it...

http://www.thetanktender.com

Thanks John, looks good but a little over engineered for what we need with just one tank

 

[jordanbasset]

If you want something cheap, easy to install, that will run on batteries and super accurate get yourself one of these (Digiflow 6710M - search on ebay). Only disadvantage you need to remember to zero it when you fill up your tanks. It will then start measuring liters consumed. Its accuracy is simply amazing.

Cheers, looking at that I take it that it does not matter if it is put before or after the pump?

 

[jordanbasset]

One of these with a sender made by removing the insulation at appropriate depths on a length of computer ribbon cable. No moving parts at all, and accurately reads tank contents in 10% intervals.

http://cpc.farnell.com/kemo-electro...MIurGZ97zx2wIVhz4bCh0O3gVuEAQYBCABEgJUCfD_BwE

Interesting idea

 

[cmedsailor]

Cheers, looking at that I take it that it does not matter if it is put before or after the pump?

I think not. I have installed it just before the pump (due to more space) and it works perfectly.

 

[Lodesman77]

Cheers

Possibly the cheapest and most accurate gauge you could get -

https://bricky.com/building-tools/10m-water-level/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-METRE...m=141233731459&_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598

 

[Hydrozoan]

Interesting idea

Thanks. It has worked well for about 7 years with no attention apart from very rare battery changes. The ribbon cable contact points do become degraded over winter when the tank is drained, but tank cleaning in spring with a chlorine-based powder, coupled with repeated pressing of the ‘read’ push-button, soon restores their conductivity.

 

[neil1967]

Presumably with some thought you could cut the ribbon cable at differing points to take into account odd shaped tanks. I guess you could calculate it, but it is probably easier to fill the tank and then to measure it as it empties.......

 

[Hydrozoan]

Presumably with some thought you could cut the ribbon cable at differing points to take into account odd shaped tanks. ...

Indeed you could. My tank is sufficiently regular that equidistant cutting of the ribbon cable insulation gave a linear response, with a bottom sloping section providing a small reserve at gauge zero.

 

[Norman_E]

That would be a good idea but the tank is under the forward V berth and it would be a lot of hassle to keep moving the mattresses and bedding to check

My tanks are the same, big stainless ones under forward berths. I used Kemo gauges bought from the now defunct Maplins, but they are still available on the net, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kemo-M167N-Water-Level-Module/dp/B01186AXC4
I wrote an article for PBO number 603 of August 2016 showing how to install these with buck converters to run them from the boat's 12 volt supply.

P.S. I used instrument wire terminated on brass screws driven into a plastic drain rod to make reliable senders.

 

[jordanbasset]

My tanks are the same, big stainless ones under forward berths. I used Kemo gauges bought from the now defunct Maplins, but they are still available on the net, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kemo-M167N-Water-Level-Module/dp/B01186AXC4
I wrote an article for PBO number 603 of August 2016 showing how to install these with buck converters to run them from the boat's 12 volt supply.

P.S. I used instrument wire terminated on brass screws driven into a plastic drain rod to make reliable senders.

Cheers, looks like the same one which Hydrozoan recommended

 

[Hydrozoan]

Cheers, looks like the same one which Hydrozoan recommended

Yes - I have an earlier model, but essentially the same. I did not see Norman_E's sender design before doing mine, but simply used 11 ways of ribbon cable tied around a stiff but flexible shaft for simplicity; perhaps his screw heads give a better electrical contact. The gauge itself is no great beauty, but it is screwed to the inside of a locker door above the berth under which the tank is situated.

 

[jordanbasset]

Many thanks for all your replies, in the end so many good suggestions it was difficult to choose but decided with the below in the end. Very easy to fit and appears very accurate - thanks again to everyone

If you want something cheap, easy to install, that will run on batteries and super accurate get yourself one of these (Digiflow 6710M - search on ebay). Only disadvantage you need to remember to zero it when you fill up your tanks. It will then start measuring liters consumed. Its accuracy is simply amazing.