Non contact Black Water Tank Sensor

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blxm

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I would like to install a "tank nearly full" indicator at least or at best a level indicator. However, my black water tank is in a fairly inaccessible position to access the top of the tank and thus its rather difficult to add an in tank, mechanical, ultra sonic or optical sensor. Its also plastic with no access hatch to install a fitting to support this type of device easily.
I've been playing around with these type of sensors https://www.amazon.co.uk/12-24V-Non-contact-Liquid-Detect-Container/dp/B07KZT8F6R three different ones. While I can get good results on a simple water container the thick wall of the black water tank, and possibly the contents, theses sensors are hopeless in this application.

Has anyone had any success with no contact sensors in a similar scenario or suggestions for other options?

I did find these but a little reluctant to drill holes in a the side of the tank. https://www.amazon.co.uk/RecPro-Sen...ater+Level&qid=1657794890&s=industrial&sr=1-1
 
I have been down this route. I have tried the sensor that you link to without success. I have now made a system using two XKC-Y25-NPN sensors - available on eBay

I will be honest in pointing out that my system did not work until I realised I had to calibrate the sensors by half filling the tank with sea water and not fresh water. They work on capacitance and so the sea water is obviously different (duh!).

I now have a sensor half way up and a second near the top of the tank. The upper sensor is linked to a buzzer. I made a traffic light LED array which I could fix outside the cupboard in which the tank lives.

If you PM me with your email, I will send you my how-to-do-it guide.

Boyd
 
I looked into a sensor for my holding tank. Ended up not bothering as they all seemed to require frequent cleaning when the sensors are 'in tank'. External sensors didn't seem to fare well either.
As my tank is a translucent material and easily accessible, I shine a torch through it.
 
tudorsailor said:
I have been down this route. I have tried the sensor that you link to without success. I have now made a system using two XKC-Y25-NPN sensors - available on eBay

I will be honest in pointing out that my system did not work until I realised I had to calibrate the sensors by half filling the tank with sea water and not fresh water. They work on capacitance and so the sea water is obviously different (duh!).

I now have a sensor half way up and a second near the top of the tank. The upper sensor is linked to a buzzer. I made a traffic light LED array which I could fix outside the cupboard in which the tank lives.

If you PM me with your email, I will send you my how-to-do-it guide.

Boyd
Click to expand...


thanks!
 
Boathook said:
I looked into a sensor for my holding tank. Ended up not bothering as they all seemed to require frequent cleaning when the sensors are 'in tank'. External sensors didn't seem to fare well either.
As my tank is a translucent material and easily accessible, I shine a torch through it.
Click to expand...

I have a second holding tank and that's what I do. Unfortunately this tank isn't accessible for easy inspection.
 
Plum said:
That's a shame that sensor did not work. I use one of them for a freshwater thick wall plastic tank and works well.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...
Its odd, on the fresh water tank it works perfectly fine. I tested it on the black water tank with fresh and salt water and neither was sensed reliably using 3 different styles of these sensors. There must be a difference in the tank material but I cant think what would be the issue. The fresh and black tanks are radically different sizes but as far as I can see thats it. I'll give the sensors tudorsailor used and report back.
 
We use Gobius Pro sensors...I linked the output to a relay, that then lights the tank full warning on our Raritan flush controller. Been very happy with them...only have one fitted as a "full sensor", but you can have multiple up the tank to offer a level sensing function.

I see now they offer all kinds of additions, like hubs and NMEA2000 integration, that wasn't available when we first bought these.

In our case its installed on a thick stainless tank, and was the only sensor we could find suitable for external use on that material....they do list as working with basically any tank, and if it works as well as it does for us, I'd highly recommend them.
 
sailorbenji said:
We use Gobius Pro sensors...I linked the output to a relay, that then lights the tank full warning on our Raritan flush controller. Been very happy with them...only have one fitted as a "full sensor", but you can have multiple up the tank to offer a level sensing function.

I see now they offer all kinds of additions, like hubs and NMEA2000 integration, that wasn't available when we first bought these.

In our case its installed on a thick stainless tank, and was the only sensor we could find suitable for external use on that material....they do list as working with basically any tank, and if it works as well as it does for us, I'd highly recommend them.
Click to expand...
Now that looks like a nice solution. A bit on the pricy side for the pro but the other range looks good. I'm testing the final set of sensors for a self build, fortunately I can use the "failures" elsewhere so nothing wasted, and this will be my 'if all else fails'. Funny how you can do as much internet trawling as I have and not come across this company!

I think, from my looking around, that this is one of the best non contact suppliers if the unit functions well. I like the PIR warning panel.
 
fwiw, Philippi (sp?) IR tank is working fine now for 4 seasons. Granted you do need access to the top of the tank to undo the 5 nuts on the special sensor hole and bolt that on, nothing goes in the tank though so just need the clearance of circa 50mm to slide the sensor in and bolt it on (with lots of sealant unless you like the smell!)
 
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