What is new with the Senso4s PLUS and what has remained the same?

The Senso4s PLUS level gauge for gas cylinders has been available since November 2020. A lot has changed since the previous version – especially for camping in motor caravans or caravans. We show what the Senso4s PLUS is, what it can do, what new features have been added and what has remained the same.

What is the Senso4s PLUS?

The Senso4s PLUS is a digital and smart level gauge for gas cylinders. The system consists of a measuring device and an app for smartphone or tablet. The measuring device is placed under the gas cylinder. Thanks to the flexibly extendable feet, the Senso4s PLUS is adapted to the appropriate size of the gas cylinder. With the system, gas cylinders with a diameter of between 18 and 32 centimetres can be monitored – for example gas cylinders with a filling weight of 5, 8 or 11 kilograms.

Where can I use the Senso4s PLUS?

The following fields of application are recommended:

• Caravanning: Motor caravan, caravan – can also be used while driving!
• Hospitality (EX protection zone 2): Gas stoves, outdoor heaters, heaters, gas barbecues etc.
• Barbecue & BBQ: Gas barbecues
• Household: Gas stoves, gas-fired boilers, heaters, etc.

New: Reworked support feet

The most significant visual difference to the previous version is that the Senso4s PLUS has green feet instead of blue feet. This makes it easy to differentiate between the two versions. Not visible, but nevertheless important: The feet are now more stable, as they may be exposed to heavy long-term load. More on this in the “New” section: ATEX certification. In addition, the feet are scaled, which makes it easier to pull out to the correct gas cylinder diameter.

New: ATEX certification and use while driving

The PLUS version of the digital and smart level gauge has an ATEX certification. This means that the device may also be in potentially explosive zone 2 areas – for example in the gas cylinder case of motor caravans or caravans.

Thanks to this certification, campers can permanently leave the gas scale in the gas cylinder case below the gas cylinder – even while driving. Of course, this is, in some cases, high stress for the device when physical forces are applied while driving. Therefore, product development has significantly increased the stability of the support feet.

New: Three integrated sensors

When campers with motor caravans or caravans are on the move, there are various scenarios which could possibly produce false measurements. For this reason, the PLUS version has three sensors integrated which block the false measurements in order to constantly indicate the correct filling level.

1. Motion sensor

It’s clear: A reasonable measurement is not possible while driving. As soon as the camping vehicle moves, the motion sensor prevents further measurements. The user receives corresponding information in the app.

2. Tilt sensor

If, for example, the camper parks on a relatively steep slope, the physical forces that affect the gas cylinder change. This would lead to incorrect measured values. In this case, too, the app makes the user aware of this.

3. Temperature sensor

Too high or too low temperatures may result in inconsistencies in the measured values. A sensor also recognises this, reports it in the app and blocks further measurements.

All integrated sensors will release the measurements as soon as the state – movement, inclination, too high or too low temperature – is in the “normal range”.

The same: Basic function

There is no difference between Senso4s PLUS and the previous version in terms of the basic function. The hardware measures the total weight and sends the parameters to the app on your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.

The app (available for Android and iOS) indicates the current filling level, a curve of the consumption and a forecast of how long the gas in the cylinder will last.

The Senso4s PLUS is suitable for monitoring gas cylinders with a filling weight of 5, 8 or 11 kilograms or gas cylinders with a diameter of between 18 and 32 centimetres at the bottom.

The same: Start-up

In order to start up the PLUS version, the same steps are required as for the previous version:

1. Download the app
2. Connect the Senso4s PLUS with your mobile device via Bluetooth
3. Calibrate the scales without a gas cylinder
4. Enter the tare weight and filling weight in the app
5. Set the Senso4s PLUS to the size of the gas cylinder
6. Place the gas cylinder on the Senso4s PLUS and start monitoring

In the video for start-up, all steps are clearly explained:

The same: Consumption forecast

As soon as several measured values have been received by the app, the app can present a consumption forecast to the user. This means: Using an algorithm, the app calculates how long the current filling level is still roughly sufficient – based on the previous consumption behaviour.

This is of course not an exact procedure and greatly depends on consumption behaviour. But it is definitely a good indication and facilitates planning as to when a cylinder replacement is due.

The same: Warning message

The app has a warning function to prevent the gas cylinder from suddenly becoming empty and ruining the barbecue, for example. If the user has enabled push notifications, a message appears as soon as the volume drops below a critical filling level. The user can define this threshold individually in the settings of the app.

Conclusion

Some things have changed in the new version, but the tried and tested function has not changed. If you would like more information, GOK is available via the usual means of communication. You will also find information about the Senso4s PLUS and the previous model on the website, here in the blog and on our YouTube channel.