Fuel level sensor in this months YM

[colind3782]

There was a gizmo on test in this month's Yachting Monthly that you hold against the tank and it tells you whether there is fuel at that level or not.

Unfortunately, I dumped the mag without taking down the details. I think it was tested by VicS possibly.

Can anyone shine a light?

 

[gerry99]

It was a Truma Level Check (http://www.levelcheck.com/uk/) Ok for metal fuel tanks but not for plastic tanks or containers.

 

[colind3782]

Thanks!

 

[NormanS]

According to the ad, it's for checking gas bottles.

 

[RivalRedwing]

There was a gizmo on test in this month's Yachting Monthly that you hold against the tank and it tells you whether there is fuel at that level or not.

Unfortunately, I dumped the mag without taking down the details. I think it was tested by VicS possibly.

Can anyone shine a light?

Try Vyv Cox

 

[Spuddy]

Is there any reason why it wouldn't work for a diesel tank?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Is there any reason why it wouldn't work for a diesel tank?

I use a similar tool downhole in oil wells to determine fluids or cement height behind steel casing, the tool is also used in non steel lined holes (rocks) to help determine rock densities and boundaries (oil, gas a water). The critical point is that the hole OD and steel casing wall thickness must be known for the tool to read returning frequencies and thus determine a boundary., it is a critical input to the programme. I guess therefore that this tool is calibrated for certain tank sizes and therefore might not work on bigger tanks.

 

[vyv_cox]

According to the ad, it's for checking gas bottles.

It wasn't an ad, it was a letter. I have the Truma sensor on board to check the level of gas in bottles. After reading Tom Cunliffe's piece two months ago on dipping diesel tanks I tried the Truma on mine and sent the pics to YM. The device is sold in most camping shops or on line, £30-40.

 

[NormanS]

It wasn't an ad, it was a letter. I have the Truma sensor on board to check the level of gas in bottles. After reading Tom Cunliffe's piece two months ago on dipping diesel tanks I tried the Truma on mine and sent the pics to YM. The device is sold in most camping shops or on line, £30-40.

I was referring to Truma's on-line advertisement. That's why I said, "according to the ad".

 

[vyv_cox]

I was referring to Truma's on-line advertisement. That's why I said, "according to the ad".

I thought we were discussing 'fuel level sensor in this month's YM', which was the title of your post.

There is some flexibility in exactly what it will measure ( as well as diesel, which they probably never thought of). The instructions say it will not measure in cylinders with level gauges but it works fine with my Gaslow bottle. The level gauge in Gaslows is not all that good, only measures over about the middle third of the bottle. Which is why I bought the Truma.

 

[RichardS]

I thought we were discussing 'fuel level sensor in this month's YM', which was the title of your post.

There is some flexibility in exactly what it will measure ( as well as diesel, which they probably never thought of). The instructions say it will not measure in cylinders with level gauges but it works fine with my Gaslow bottle. The level gauge in Gaslows is not all that good, only measures over about the middle third of the bottle. Which is why I bought the Truma.

I'm confused!

Was the level gauge featured in this month's Yachting Monthly not the Truma but some other device? In which case, what was the device featured in YM?

Richard

 

[vyv_cox]

I'm confused!

Was the level gauge featured in this month's Yachting Monthly not the Truma but some other device? In which case, what was the device featured in YM?

Richard

Yes it was a Truma in the letter I sent with photographs to YM. I went to great lengths to ensure that the name of the device was visible in the photos, which I actually took with my 'wrong' hand because I have a large hammer rash on the thumb I would normally have held it with.

 

[colind3782]

Sorry Vyv-cox, I now know it was you in the mag.

My tank is boxed in with ply. Does the Truma need to have contact with the steel tank or will it work through the ply?

 

[vyv_cox]

Sorry Vyv-cox, I now know it was you in the mag.

My tank is boxed in with ply. Does the Truma need to have contact with the steel tank or will it work through the ply?

I would be extremely surprised if it did. The air gap between the two would kill the signal even if it would penetrate wood.

 

[Fascadale]

This device sounds as if it may be very useful on my boat. My diesel tank has no gauge and is impossible to dip. I can access the side of my (perhaps unpolished stainless) steel tank.

Is it likely that the "Truma" will give me an indication of fuel level or as Mr BOB suggests below do I need to know the thickness of the tank wall?

The critical point is that the hole OD and steel casing wall thickness must be known for the tool to read returning frequencies and thus determine a boundary., it is a critical input to the programme. I guess therefore that this tool is calibrated for certain tank sizes and therefore might not work on bigger tanks.

 

[nigelmercier]

What do they cost?

Scratch that, about £60.

 

[vyv_cox]

I would be extremely surprised if it did. The air gap between the two would kill the signal even if it would penetrate wood.

Can confirm that the signal will not penetrate 10 mm plywood, or even a single sheet of paper. My tank is stainless steel, polished, at a guess about 18 gauge. I also know that it works well on a variety of steel gas bottles, Calor and Gaslow, probably three or four times thicker than my diesel tank. It doesn't say in the instructions that it does not work on aluminium bottles, implying that the bottle/tank wall is not too critical.

We paid about half of the suggested £60 from Flintshire Caravans possibly with a small discount as a special offer.

 

[colind3782]

Can confirm that the signal will not penetrate 10 mm plywood, or even a single sheet of paper. My tank is stainless steel, polished, at a guess about 18 gauge. I also know that it works well on a variety of steel gas bottles, Calor and Gaslow, probably three or four times thicker than my diesel tank. It doesn't say in the instructions that it does not work on aluminium bottles, implying that the bottle/tank wall is not too critical.

We paid about half of the suggested £60 from Flintshire Caravans possibly with a small discount as a special offer.

Thanks for that!