Tank Level Monitoring and Senders

[3rdOrderEffect]

I have two 35 gallon freshwater tanks that are currently unmonitored and a 15 gallon waste tank that has a full indicator LED only. I would like to proportionally monitor all three tanks on a Blue Sea 1839 M2 monitor which I have not yet purchased, but I like the form factor and the versatility of it. I'm looking for recommendations as to senders - the freshwater tanks have no senders currently as mentioned and have basically no access to the top of them without creating it, so I'd like to avoid that. The blackwater tank has top access via a removable floor panel but very little clearance over it so a sender coming out the top could protrude no more than say 1/4" (the current Tankwatch system sender is basically flush with the top of the tank, and just the wires protrude).

For these reasons I'd like to go with external senders. My research points me toward the SCAD external sender (SCAD External Tank Sensor - e Marine Systems) being a good option. SCAD makes a monitor for two tanks, but I do not particularly like its display. Are there others I should consider? I also cannot confirm they will work with the Blue Sea 1839 but I cant find a reason in its documentation why they wouldn't either.

 

[Comodave]

I have a Scad monitor on our holding tank and it is super easy to install and works great. Have no idea if the sender works with Blue Seas or not. Did you call Blue Seas to ask?

 

[3rdOrderEffect]

I got my answer from SCAD, who state their sensors will only work with the TM1 or TM2 monitors unless the SR2 multiplexer unit is used.

S2R Sensor Multiplexer Interface - SCAD Technologies LLC

SCAD's S2R converts the output of SCAD electronic tank level sensors to a standard resistance output for multiplexers including Victron.

scadtech.com

When the sensor is wired to the SR2, it can output variable resistance to 240Ohms like any other resistive level sensor.

I went ahead and ordered 3x external sensors and the SR2 from one of the SCAD dealers. I decided to go with a Simarine Pico Standard monitor to integrate tank and battery monitoring and replace my old Xantrex Link 10 battery monitor. Having done some research into the Victron Cerbo GX, however, I may return the Simarine and go with the Cerbo and the 5" touch monitor. Decisions.

 

[TJM]

I purchased the SCAD tank monitor a few years ago to install in my black water tank. PLEASE, read the instructions before you buy it. I did not have enough room for the tape strip on the outside. There are minimum distances from corners or tank piercings.

 

[dhays]

I purchased the SCAD tank monitor a few years ago to install in my black water tank. PLEASE, read the instructions before you buy it. I did not have enough room for the tape strip on the outside. There are minimum distances from corners or tank piercings.

They also say to be a certain distance from any metal fittings on the tank. I couldn't do that, yet the monitor still works well. It is a matter of doing a good job of calibrating full and empty.

 

[kchace]

I have had the SCAD monitor on my last 2 boats and they work great.

 

[muthrtuckr]

I have two 35 gallon freshwater tanks that are currently unmonitored and a 15 gallon waste tank that has a full indicator LED only. I would like to proportionally monitor all three tanks on a Blue Sea 1839 M2 monitor which I have not yet purchased, but I like the form factor and the versatility of it. I'm looking for recommendations as to senders - the freshwater tanks have no senders currently as mentioned and have basically no access to the top of them without creating it, so I'd like to avoid that. The blackwater tank has top access via a removable floor panel but very little clearance over it so a sender coming out the top could protrude no more than say 1/4" (the current Tankwatch system sender is basically flush with the top of the tank, and just the wires protrude).)

For these reasons I'd like to go with external senders. My research points me toward the SCAD external sender (SCAD External Tank Sensor - e Marine Systems) being a good option. SCAD makes a monitor for two tanks, but I do not particularly like its display. Are there others I should consider? I also cannot confirm they will work with the Blue Sea 1839 but I cant find a reason in its documentation why they wouldn't either.

Rather than try to get monitors on/in our existing water tanks we added an inline flowmeter right after the water pump. Ours has a remote up in the cabin. It was pre-wireless so we have tiny wires up to it (like telephone wires). When we did it there wasn't so much availability but now there seem to be many to choose from.

 

[Nepidae]

You might want to give Raritan a call. They handle a lot of products that handle effluent and water and I know that they have monitors.

Online RaritanEng.com

 

[Mainship Pilot]

I added the TM1 Scad to my holding tank, worked great, as previously stated, make sure you read the instructions a few times to make sure it will work for you. Took a number of tries for the calibration process, but got that to work as well. I added a cover to my monitor in our “wet head” as it does react to direct water on it. Mounted it on a piece of Starboard and silicone sealed it all the way around

 

[Mainship Pilot]

I added the TM1 Scad to my holding tank, worked great, as previously stated, make sure you read the instructions a few times to make sure it will work for you. Took a number of tries for the calibration process, but got that to work as well. I added a cover to my monitor in our “wet head” as it does react to direct water on it. Mounted it on a piece of Starboard and silicone sealed it all the way around

FYI, Third pic is just the access hole I had to cut under the sink to access the old wiring from the origional monitor, and covered it with some leftover starboard.

 

[Sea Crawler]

I installed the Blue Sea Systems VSM 422 monitor and this BSS Ultrasonic tank sender to monitor my holding tank. Works great if you can access the top of your tank.

Vessel Systems Monitor Tank Sender - Diesel, Water, Waste - Blue Sea Systems

Comprehensive monitors of four boat systems in one compact meter.

www.bluesea.com