Water Tank Gauge
I'm looking for suggestions for keeping track of my fresh water supply.
The two poly tanks (66" X 17" X 11), about 50 gallons each are under the
salon floor. Access to them is extremely limited with out major surgery.
The top of one tank has a couple of square inches accessible in an aft
corner the other in a fwd corner.
There is no place to put a sight tube. I use clear vinyl tubing from the
tanks to the water pump but haven't found it to be very reliable even
after opening it up to let air in.
Due to the tank dimensions and limited location to install sensors float
type gauges would not be suitable. The Hart Tank Tender type (using air
pressure) type measuring is likely the most applicable. Unfortunately I
don't find its' appearance or its' price tag very appealing. I am not sure
but it appears the Wesma and Xintex measure the level in the spot they are
located. Are there other systems similar to the Hart?
I have also considered a flow meter but since I prefer not to fill the
tanks all the time I would need to keep track of how much I was putting in
- and then there is the math.
Your thoughts appreciated
John
Have you looked at snake river?
http://www.DDOEM.com/Snake_River_Electronics/default.asp
Lee
Izmir
On Jan 9, 2011, at 21:15 , jag@vcn.bc.ca wrote:
I'm looking for suggestions for keeping track of my fresh water supply.
[demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type application/pkcs7-signature which had a name of smime.p7s]
I'm looking for suggestions for
keeping track of my fresh water supply.
Hi John
Keep in mind that a sight glass doesn't have to be installed on or right next to the tank; access to the discharge line yes, but that's all.
In case you can benefit from this idea, here it is: on my boat, I tee'd into each tank's discharge line and ran a clear hose out to where it could be seen and installed vertically. Though it is many feet from the tank, it is still a sight glass and works as one.
I was able to run the upper end far enough up to tee it into the vent line, but just running it up vertically far enough and leaving it open would work. Maybe curl up a piece of screening and stick it in the end of the tube or maybe curve it down to keep dirt out, or do both.
The only problem with keeping the upper end of the sight glass open is that when filling the tanks, the water can be forced high enough up the sight glass that it will squirt out the open end.
If no other arrangement can be made, run the sight glass to some place that when it squirts the water won't do any harm. You can also run the sight glass to a thru-hull.
I really like sight glasses for their low cost and infallibility.
Rudy
Briney Bug, Panama City, Fl
To stop the "squirting" at the open top of the tube when filling (or
heeling dramatically, in the case of a sail boat - hopefully not a
trawler), simply install a ball valve somewhere in the line where it's
easy to reach and shut it when you aren't observing the water level! You
can even put it at the top of the sight tube if the composition of the
tube permits.
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On 1/9/2011 3:38 PM, Rudy and Jill wrote:
I'm looking for suggestions for
keeping track of my fresh water supply.
The only problem with keeping the upper end of the sight glass open is that when filling the tanks, the water can be forced high enough up the sight glass that it will squirt out the open end.
If no other arrangement can be made, run the sight glass to some place that when it squirts the water won't do any harm. You can also run the sight glass to a thru-hull.