Multi tank monitoring - need help with selection

[sndog]

I have been trying to figure out which tank monitoring system to install. I currently have three fuel tanks (rectangle ~300gallons (~30" deep), one shaped like the L from Tetris, and the bottom being the hull, ~900gallons (~40" deep) , and a tank built into the bilge around 2200gallons (~26" deep)); I also have 8 water tanks. Each is about 30 gallons, they are about 20" deep each. I also have the Raritan purasan and about a 20gallon holding tank I would also like to monitor.

I currently have no tank sensors so that I will be adding those.

I have been researching Victron, Kobelt vitals 6700, and possibly using tank senders with NMEA built in to use a chartplotter.

For the Kobelt, I am waiting to hear back from the manufacturer if it will work for my application, and is pricey ($1700).

Using Tank senders with builtin NMEA, or adding NMEA senders to the is also very costly. Using Maretron, or Yacht devices, looks to add about $200 to each sensor, plus the use of a smaller chartplotter for a dedicated display.

Victron seems reasonable, but the Cerbo GX appears it can handle four resistive tank inputs and can be calibrated for odd shape tanks. And the Victron GX140 looks to handle current and capacitance tank senders. I was wondering if anyone that is very familiar with Victron, can answer if resistive will work with the GX140. Is it possible to link multiple GX140s, or Cerbos, together to handle more than 4 tanks.

Is there a better system than what is mentioned above, or any additional advice/input?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Portage_Bay]

I would stay away from electronic systems, especially those that need to be tied into something else. Tank readings don't need to be that complicated.

The previous boat I used the Tank Tender by Hart Systems. No electricity, no electronics. Not necessarily any cheaper than what you're looking at. For the black water tank you need to sound it often to keep the tube from gunking up. The calibration for non rectangular tanks is up to you. The system reads in inches of pressure. Put a know amount it, read the scale. Repeat. I had two fuel tanks, two water tanks and the black water tank.

The current boat has sight glasses on the fuel tanks, I can see the level in the water tanks. A less than reliable electronic system of some sort on the black water tank.

 

[x2y3z4]

I use GobiusC as well as Star-Tank / Safiery for holding, fresh water and multiple fuel tanks. Both sensor types use micro radar and are connected to Victron CerboGX/N2k. Accurate, flexible to preset, easy installation.

 

[more]

Tank monitoring for boat, RV. Tank level and voltage module ST107 - Simarine

The tank module ST107 is here for tank monitoring. Besides measuring water, fuel, etc. you can also use it to measure voltage or temperature.

simarine.net

PICO Battery Monitor

 

[ranger58sb]

I only have experience with KUS (was WEMA) tank sensors... fuel, freshwater, and waste. Originally coupled with individual Faria analog gauges (OK), but I switched to CruzPro digital displays (better).

Not particularly expensive, relative to NMEA technology and routing to MFDs and so forth.

The CruzPro gauges might have had a spare output that could be routed to an MFD. Not sure I remember that, though... and certainly didn't want to take advantage of it even if available... since I protect our MFD screen real estate for charts and radar.

-Chris

 

[sndog]

Tank monitoring for boat, RV. Tank level and voltage module ST107 - Simarine

The tank module ST107 is here for tank monitoring. Besides measuring water, fuel, etc. you can also use it to measure voltage or temperature.

simarine.net

PICO Battery Monitor

This is interesting.

 

[jtdums]

I have been playing with StarTank by Safiery too. I'm using one on black tank as a test coupled to Victron Cerbo. The StarTank sensor is about $200. It can be used in all the applications you are looking into for your purposes.

I have just ordered a second and will either replace a failing fuel tank sender or put it on the second blackwater tank. I don't know if there is a limit as to how many the Cerbo can read.

My experience with Tank Tender has been frustrating. If testing of the StarTank continues successfully, I might be placing three on my fresh water tanks as well. Installation is so simple that it is an afterthought.

 

[sndog]

I have been playing with StarTank by Safiery too. I'm using one on black tank as a test coupled to Victron Cerbo. The StarTank sensor is about $200. It can be used in all the applications you are looking into for your purposes.

I have just ordered a second and will either replace a failing fuel tank sender or put it on the second blackwater tank. I don't know if there is a limit as to how many the Cerbo can read.

My experience with Tank Tender has been frustrating. If testing of the StarTank continues successfully, I might be placing three on my fresh water tanks as well. Installation is so simple that it is an afterthought.

Let me know how testing goes. I have the tank tender originally, and did not want to go that way again.