Fresh Water Tank Full Alarm

[nigelmercier]

I thought I would share my latest idea. I often forget to turn off the water when filling my tanks. I bought a Liquid Level Alarm from the RNIB:

http://shop.rnib.org.uk/audible-liquid-level-indicator.html

This device is used by those with impaired vision to detect when a cup is full of water, my mother had one. It has two stages of alarm, nearly full, and full.

I've modified it by removing the sensor prongs and fitting them on the end of a 1m length of 2-core cable (I only used one of the alarms).

The remote sensor can be hung in the top of the water fill deck fitting, and the alarm hung nearby.

 

[SiteSurfer]

Brilliant! If only there was some way to invert that for an empty alarm...

 

[Hydrozoan]

Very neat.

Not an alarm, but I use one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/kemo-water-level-indicator-n16dd with a sensor element made from a ribbon cable of 11 cores, with a small section of insulation removed from each core at an appropriate level. A ten step indicator with no moving parts.

 

[Mrnotming]

Lidl or Aldi sold water spillage alarms some years back.Intended for overflowing dishwashers and washing machines.
Some other chap published a fire alarm with a bit of coax soldered onto the innards somhow, which when immersed in (bilge) water, set of the fire alarm.
I still have one of these somewhere!

 

[rogerthebodger]

I fitted a simple float switch in the top of each of my 6 tanks. 2 water, 3 fuel and 1 waste tank.

These are wired back to a panel with 6 leds, one for each tank and a 6 way switch to select which tank the buzzer will buzz when full.

Panel next to white Crew watcher box.

 

[thalassa]

Our fresh water tank has the standard plastic inspection lid. A few years ago, I've mounted a short float switch on the lid. A flexible lead goes to a connector. I mounted a 9V battery with buzzer, a switch and a LED in a salvaged plastic box. That has a lead, and a connector to match the fixed one. The 9V battery is the costly part! My routine is : connect the box, switch the 'instrument' on, make certain the LED is working. Open the hatch. Put the buzzer box outside. Fill the tank until buzzer goes.

 

[pmagowan]

I was thinking of getting one of the petrol style filler nozzles for on my hose. That way it automatically cuts out when the tank is full.

 

[geem]

Our alarm is water flowing all over the deck! I then turn the tap off

 

[pmagowan]

lol

 

[Giblets]

Our "alarm" is water starting to run out of the sink tap spout. Seems to work quite well providing one remembers to watch for it AND takes the plug out of the sink drain!!!!

 

[thalassa]

Our alarm is water flowing all over the deck! I then turn the tap off

By that time our bed is wet ( the tank is underneath) and SWMBO's lingerie as well! :ambivalence:

 

[Mrnotming]

I think it is more the peeps with the flexible PVC type tanks such as "Plastimo" or Vetus" need these alarms, as its too late when the saloon cushions have blocked the table and dinner is ready to eat, wine uncorked etc!

 

[geem]

I think it is more the peeps with the flexible PVC type tanks such as "Plastimo" or Vetus" need these alarms, as its too late when the saloon cushions have blocked the table and dinner is ready to eat, wine uncorked etc!

Oh, I see. Didn't realise they didn't have deck fillers and deck vents. So its a bit like sinking from the inside out?

 

[Mrnotming]

With the extra head of water,even a flexible with deck filler and overflows,can become too pressurised especially with the force of french water supplies,and burst a seam before anything is noticed,also a clipped joint can pop off without warning if the supply volume is greater than can be easily vented.
Result is sinking tendency! Usually notice by dozy owners paddling in the saloon!Been there! As have others!

 

[prv]

Oh, I see. Didn't realise they didn't have deck fillers and deck vents. So its a bit like sinking from the inside out?

Don't usually burst, but they can expand a surprising amount and lift up the bunk cushions

Ariam's rigid tank conveniently gives a couple of big noisy burps of escaping air just before it's full. If in the cabin, you can also watch the gauge at the chart table which is accurately calibrated.

Pete

 

[Mrnotming]

Yes Pete,the more recent vessel has shaped poly Propylene tanks with that talking facility you mention,also a little. Hand pump which dribbles when forward tank is full.The aft tank will fill from the forward deck filler if the supply is reduced to a dribble. Has a handy litres consumed gauge on the switch panel.all in all a great step forward!

 

[Daydream believer]

Personally i would have thought a better use would be on the fuel filler so that when one is filling from cans it is not overfilled & stops fuel running over the deck & into the sea

 

[Carmel2]

Ours has an overflow which pours over the anchor chain, so not totally wasted.

 

[babsash]

...

 

[PaulRainbow]

my alarm is water coming up from the floorbards! not good. i recently bought my boat and will have her out of the water in the summer & sort it. in the meantime is it possible to get a simple alarm without having to do wiring, i don't really do electrical stuff.....

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