Filling level gauges for oil tanks, water tanks and cisterns can save home owners, tenants as well as the world of industry and people who run businesses a lot of bother. It’s something many are familiar with: you thought the oil tank was half full, but all of a sudden the fuel oil has run out and it’s cold in your house. Or you’re planning to water your garden, but realise a little too late that the water tank or cistern are empty. These are, of course, scenarios that you would prefer to avoid.
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Filling level gauges for oil tanks, water tanks and cisterns can save home owners, tenants as well as the world of industry and people who run businesses a lot of bother. It’s something many are familiar with: you thought the oil tank was half full, but all of a sudden the fuel oil has run out and it’s cold in your house. Or you’re planning to water your garden, but realise a little too late that the water tank or cistern are empty. These are, of course, scenarios that you would prefer to avoid.
You could naturally check the filling level regularly with a measuring stick, but with an oil tank in particular, this isn’t usually so easy. After all, the operator has to climb into the tank compartment and clean the oil from the measuring stick afterwards.
If a filling level gauge is installed in the tank or container, however, all you need to do is take a quick look at it and you’re in the picture. In this context, various types of filling level gauge are available.
Digital filling level gauge for oil tanks and cisterns
For the digital monitoring of the contents of oil or water tanks, GOK offers its SmartBox range. On the one hand, the SmartBox line includes different versions of the display units and their functions; on the other, it is possible to choose between various probes and/or sensors. We present the basic variants in a compact form below.
Local filling level gauge
SmartBox 1, 2 and 3 display the current filling level in the oil tank or the water level of the cistern on site – in litres, centimetres or percentage volume. While the SmartBox 1 “only” displays the filling level, the SmartBox 2 can also carry out switching functions via two floating relays. In this respect, the operator can define limit values at which the relay switches, and therefore control a solenoid valve (not included in the supply), for example. This means that if a filling level falls below a specific level, the withdrawal switches over to a different tank.
The SmartBox 3 “only” has one floating relay. Accordingly, it also offers the possibility to indicate the surpassing or falling below of a freely-definable limit value both visually (via an LED) and acoustically (via a buzzer) on the device itself.
The SmartBox MINI has similarities with the SmartBox 1, but is battery- rather than mains-powered. The connection of a level probe is not possible either, as the SmartBox MINI only works in combination with a type FSA-E level gauge. However: if the filling height of the oil or water tank to be monitored does not exceed the limit of 250 centimetres, the SmartBox MINI can be the right choice.
The SmartBox MINI is able to monitor oil tanks as well as water tanks and cisterns. Useful: a power supply isn’t necessary, as the device is battery-powered.
If you would like to monitor the filling level of oil tanks or cisterns “remotely”, at GOK, you can choose between the basic functions GSM and NB-IoT. In the case of both GSM and NB-IoT, the configuration is identical to the local filling level gauge: a probe measures the filling level and the SmartBox displays the current value.
The GSM variant forwards the measured data, to a mobile end device by SMS, for example, or to the online platform www.smart-inspector.com. There, the data is processed and issued in graphic form.
The NB-IoT variant of the SmartBox is also able to transfer the data to www.smart-inspector.com, although not via GSM, but via NB-IoT – a radio standard which is used during the networking of devices in what is referred to as the Internet of things.
Water tanks and cisterns are becoming increasingly popular in both the private sphere and in industry – partly due to climate change. GOK level gauges help to monitor the contents and use.
Filling level gauge in the local area network (LAN)
As its name suggests, thanks to the integrated LAN connection, the LAN version of the SmartBox transfers the measured filling levels of the oil tank or water tank to the local network.
Operators can therefore obtain filling levels and defined system information (burner faults, etc.) using any end device which is registered in the network (e.g. smartphone or tablet).
Filling level gauge for up to 4 tanks
If the term “PRO” appears in the product name, the SmartBox isn’t able to monitor just one tank; it can monitor up to four. The tanks can also have different configurations and/or contain different media. The PRO variants can be found in this info-graphic.
The PRO variants in the SmartBox line can monitor up to four tanks simultaneously, and display the current fill levels. The possibility for forwarding the data to an online portal via GSM, LAN or NB-IoT is especially smart.
Analogue/mechanical filling level gauge for oil tanks and cisterns
GOK offers three different variants for measuring the contents of oil tanks or cisterns on an analogue basis.
If the oil or water tank has an available opening, the type FSA level gauge is suitable. This measures the filling level via float principle. A screwed-on display issues the current filling level to the operator in centimetres.
If there is no available opening on the tank, the tank spy retrofit kit is an alternative. In addition to the mechanical filling level gauge, the set contains all the components for creating a tank opening, inserting the float into the tank and sealing the tank tightly again.
Last but not least: the type IAP remote level gauge measures the current filling level in the tank using a pneumatic procedure and displays it on a percentage scale.
The mechanical type FSA filling level gauge shows the current filling level directly on the tank.
Buy a filling level gauge
Whether digital or analogue, with or without remote transmission, if you are interested in a filling level gauge from GOK, we are happy to help you. We can also arrange a sales partner for you, who will provide you with detailed advice or install the system for you.
The articles are written by specialist authors in the fields of LPG, fuel oil, liquid media, tank management and safety engineering, who contribute their expertise from product management, development, technical customer support, training and standardisation activities.
The members of the editorial team have many years of practical experience in the planning, application and further development of technical solutions for the safe supply of LPG and liquid fuels. Several authors are actively involved in specialist committees and working groups of the DVGW, DVFG and figawa, as well as in national and European standardisation committees. The team includes, among others, experts certified in accordance with G 607 and G 608, competent persons in accordance with the TRF, and specialists who contribute to the development and evaluation of technical regulations and industry standards.
In addition to providing information about GOK products and solutions, the editorial team focuses on sharing knowledge relating to safety, regulations, maintenance, operation and future technologies in the field of LPG and liquid media.
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This blog will never ask members of the public or unqualified persons to make changes to or fiddle around with technical systems themselves.
In accordance with the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), a qualified person must take care of a system which requires monitoring.
A qualified person is someone who has the specific specialist knowledge required. This knowledge is gained by way of a professional apprenticeship, corresponding professional experience or current occupational activity.
Please note that the texts are based on information, regulations and standards for Germany. Please always check the rules and regulations in the relevant country of destination and consult specialists if necessary.
