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02-20-2022, 11:33 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: Longboat Key, FL
Vessel Name: Bucky
Vessel Model: Krogen Manatee 36 North Sea
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,196
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Waste tank monitoring
Anyone out there getting good service out of a waste tank monitor? We’ve got a 35 gallon plastic tank that suffers a bit from my Admiral’s frequent flushes. Closer monitoring would save us from the occasional unsavory surprise.
We see lots of choices but wonder if any particular brand of these stick-on devices work. Thanks in advance for any help.
__________________
Larry
"When life gets hard, eat marshmallows”.
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02-20-2022, 12:01 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
City: Poulsbo
Vessel Name: Water Music
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 49 classic
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 220
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I use tank tenders out of Gig Harbor Washington. It uses a finger operated air pump to allow measuring pressure water or fuel height and small nylon lines to bottom of each tank in the boat. Waste, fresh water and fuel are coupled to one station. A rotator allows tank selection. I check levels on a daily basis when I am using the boat.
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02-20-2022, 12:48 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Longboat Key, FL
Vessel Name: Bucky
Vessel Model: Krogen Manatee 36 North Sea
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DennisB1
I use tank tenders out of Gig Harbor Washington. It uses a finger operated air pump to allow measuring pressure water or fuel height and small nylon lines to bottom of each tank in the boat. Waste, fresh water and fuel are coupled to one station. A rotator allows tank selection. I check levels on a daily basis when I am using the boat.
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Just read the Webpage of Hart Systems Tank Tender. Very interesting approach in accurate gauging of tank levels. Thanks for the info.
__________________
Larry
"When life gets hard, eat marshmallows”.
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02-20-2022, 12:49 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,818
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DennisB1
I use tank tenders out of Gig Harbor Washington. It uses a finger operated air pump to allow measuring pressure water or fuel height and small nylon lines to bottom of each tank in the boat. Waste, fresh water and fuel are coupled to one station. A rotator allows tank selection. I check levels on a daily basis when I am using the boat.
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I use this system for water and fuel, but not waste. Have been very happy with the system.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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02-20-2022, 01:27 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Rochester, NY
Vessel Name: Hour Glass
Vessel Model: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 7,538
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I've had one of three blue sea ultrasonic sensors in my waste tank for 2.5 years now. Every once in a while it seems to lose track of the level for a bit, bit it's generally been reliable. And no moving parts to get stuck.
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02-20-2022, 01:54 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,514
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The SCAD tank level monitors Scad Tank Monitors are top rated, relatively inexpensive, and use sensors that mount on the outside of the tank.
--Peggie
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02-20-2022, 03:29 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
City: La Conner, WA
Vessel Name: Carousel
Vessel Model: Bayliner 4788 (1998)
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 249
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I second Peggie's recommendation on the SCAD tank monitor. It has worked great for me on a 40 gallon plastic tank.
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02-20-2022, 04:10 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Sandpiper
Vessel Model: Bluewater 40 Pilothouse Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,315
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Gobius also manufacturers a tank monitor whose sensors mount on the exterior of tanks.
I've sold many Gobius and Scad monitors and both work equally well.
__________________
"My worst day working on the boat is still better than my best day at a job"
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02-20-2022, 04:51 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: Burien
Vessel Name: Star Weird
Vessel Model: Camargue
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 381
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I seriously considered the SCAD device but wanted something I could also see on my Axiom MFD's. I went with the Veratron NMEA 2K liquid level sensor. EASY install... Just use a hole-saw to cut the small opening, mount the device in the tank. I also added an inspection port at the same time and located the 2 close enough that I could easily inspect/clean the sensor if needed. Been in for a couple months now and seems to work perfectly!
I also added a simple float switch and visible/audible alarm in case the tank gets up to the upper ~10% from full. Float sensor/alarm were about ~$20 off amazon. Nice little back-up, just in case!!!
https://www.boemarine.com/veratron-n...-to-600mm.html
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BNC9YTB...ing=UTF8&psc=1
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02-20-2022, 05:16 PM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,263
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I switched to a simple KUS waste tank level sensor and a analog gauge some time ago and have found it to be very reliable.
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02-20-2022, 05:55 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,089
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The SCAD system uses the Tank Edge capacitative sensor which mounts on the outside of a (non-conducting) tank. The sensor can be purchased directly from Tank Edge for a very modest cost compared to some of the solutions mentioned so far, and read by several different schemes. I'm using a Victron Cherbo, information can be broadcast on N2K if you want to see it elsewhere. About 25 Tank Edge sensors can be bought for the price of the Tank Tender.
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02-20-2022, 06:34 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,818
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My methodology is a little more technical.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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02-20-2022, 07:25 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Vessel Model: Currently Boatless
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 397
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How effective is the SCAD system when used on a fiberglass waste tank?
Anyone with experience??
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02-20-2022, 08:45 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Sandpiper
Vessel Model: Bluewater 40 Pilothouse Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,315
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taras
How effective is the SCAD system when used on a fiberglass waste tank?
Anyone with experience??
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Scad and Gobius work fine on FG tanks. As long as you follow the instructions exactly.
The sensors adhere easier on FG than polyurethane tanks.
If the FG is extremely thick, there may be issues but I've installed them on 5/16" - 3/8" thick Ronco poly tanks without issue.
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02-20-2022, 09:14 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Sandpiper
Vessel Model: Bluewater 40 Pilothouse Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,315
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The new GobiusPro tank monitors are Bluetooth enabled and monitored on your phone or tablet.
Max thickness of various tank materials allowable for Gobius sensors:
Stainless steel, max 3 mm
Steel, max 3 mm
Aluminium, max 5 mm
Polyethelene, max 12 mm
Fibre Glass, max 8 mm
__________________
"My worst day working on the boat is still better than my best day at a job"
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02-20-2022, 10:08 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,514
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Am I wrong in thinking you sell Gobius tank monitors?
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02-20-2022, 10:30 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,293
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You are all overthinking this.
1. Remove top inspection plate, insert arm.
2. Tank height minus length of arm from top of tank to "contact!" = available free space.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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02-21-2022, 09:41 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: San Diego
Vessel Model: Helmsman 4304
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,005
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My holding tank is midship, in a fairly tight space with access to the top and not much access along the sides.
I have a Kus float valve type, but it fouls up every season so I need to pull and clean it every year because it gets stuck. I treat my tank well, use NoFlex, pump out often, and flush it.
Regarding the Scad exterior mount system on a FG tank; is everything external and no drilling required? I don't think I could get a drill in there if I wanted to, but should be able to apply the tape and sensors.
The reason I ask is the literature says “1/2 in hole” but I dont see that being needed including on a YT Vid by a do it yourselfer.
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02-21-2022, 10:08 AM
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#19
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Sandpiper
Vessel Model: Bluewater 40 Pilothouse Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,315
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadMistress
Am I wrong in thinking you sell Gobius tank monitors?
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If you read post #8 I said:
"I've sold many Gobius and Scad monitors and both work equally well."
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02-21-2022, 10:25 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,089
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The SCAD (really Tank Edge) sensor does not require any holes and applies to any outside vertical surface of the tank.
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