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Tank Sensors
GX Tank 140
Introduction
GX Tank 140 is an accessory to be used with a Victron GX device. It can connect up to four tank level sensors with an output between 0..10V. Connection to the GX Device via USB. Highlights: - Channel 1 and 2 feature a fused power supply from the Vin connection - Channel 3 and 4 feature a built-in 24V power supply for the tank sensor. This power comes from the USB connection. Safiery IP67 Tank Level Sensor compatible out of box. - Configurable upper and lower limits, use this to connect (for example) a 0 to 5V sensor. - Configurable averaging filter (1 to 60s) to dampen fluid movement. - Faulty sensor detection: when values are out of range an alarm will be raised. - Note that other sensors are not compatible and might result in permanent damage of the unit especially when exceeding the voltage range.
Included in the box
The unit comes with a 1.5m long USB cable fix mounted. 1 pluggable terminal connector for external supply 4 pluggable terminal connectors for sensor connection
Mounting The enclosure can be wall mounted using the two flanges on the sides. Screws with an outer diameter of max 3.0mm should be used. The use of washers is recommended.
Connect and Release the Wires To physically attach the tank probes requires a ferrule or exposed copper end of at least 10 mm to be inserted into the removable terminal block connector. Once correctly attached, you must use the orange tab if you wish to remove the secured wire.
Cable shield It is recommended to use shielded cables to prevent interference to falsify the measurements. Most sensors are equipped with shielded cables. To get the best results the shield should be connected to bare metal of the vehicle or boat
Compatible Sensors and Wiring
Power Supply (Sensor Excitation) The GX Tank 140 itself is powered from USB and needs no external power source. It can supply power to the sensors connected in two different ways. External Power Supply (Channels 1 & 2) The connector labeled “Ext. Power” can be used to distribute power from an external source to the sensors connected on channels 1 and 2. A self-resetting fuse (20mA) in this line prevents the unit from damage even in case of a short in wire or broken sensor. Built-in 24V Power Supply (Channels 3 & 4) Channels 3 and 4 are powered by an internal supply (isolated from USB) with a voltage of 24V. The outputs are equipped with a self-resetting fuse that limits the current to a max of 20mA each. Isolation The USB port is isolated from the sensors. As such there is no risk for ground loops from the sensors to the USB socket of the controller. The GNDs of all four channels are connected internally, they are not isolated individually.
Voltage Sensing (0..10 V - typically 0..5V ) To connect a sensor with voltage output check out the sensors specific configuration and wiring in its datasheet first. As shown below the GX Tank 140 measures the voltage between “In” (+) and “GND” (-).
Vout is the Power to the Sensor
Vout Open on channels 1 and 2
Vout set at 24V on channels 3 and 4
GX Tank 140 Sensor Contact Name Most Common Wire Colors Vout / 24V (1) Excitation (+), Vs+ red In Signal (0..10V), Output Yellow GND Excitation (-), Vs- black/blue /green
Safiery Compatible Sensors There are 5 compatible sensors:
1. Tank Level 0-1000mm IP67 - Water, diesel fuel, differential pressure in cable tube 2. Tank Level 0-1000mm IP65 - Water only compact, differential pressure in sensor 3. LPG Tank - 0- 450mm IP 65 Metal Tanks only magnetic base, attaches under tank. 4. Ultrasonic under tank - 0-1000mm - Water, Fuel no air gap between sensor/tank. 5. Submersible in tank IP68 - 0-3000mm - Water only compact, differential pressure in sensor
Safiery Tank Level Sensor 24 V Compatible Safiery Tank Level Sensor STLPO01 has a range of 0-1000mm water and is completely compatible with any of the measurement channels. It accepts 12V or 24V input power. This is a differential pressure sensor for true tank level. The opposing air pressure is measured on the back of th MEMs sensor with a tube enclosed with the cabling. (see image below. The tube is open cell foam filled so it is not crushed. It is CE Approved.
Safiery Ultrasonic Tank Sensor T his sensor permanently fixes under a water tank . It uses ultrasonic principles so therefore requires a sealed interface between the sensor and the tank shell. This sensor uses ultrasonic technology but is diffferent to "air based" ultrasonics which are less reliable. The ultrasonic signal travels through "solid" material to find an air interface. It is the same technology as used on pregnant women with "ultrasound" readings. Like that process, a gell is used when the sensor is positioned to ensure that it WILL WORK prior to fixing. The recessed groove captures excess glue when fixing. The install process requires just 12V power to be applied and the sensor held into position. The solid blue LED on the bottom of the sensor will illuminate with power and FLASH if the ultrasonic has found an air interface. The flashing confirms to the installer that the sensor will operate. It works exceedingly well with metal or propolyene tanks where there is no additional "skin" or potential air layer between the sensor and the tank. Excessive paint or rough surface will void operation. When operating successfully, the sensor flashes "blue" LED at the sensor itself. A gel couplant is included with the sensor.
Recommended application Water Tank IP68
Measurement mode Non-contact
Length of wire 450mm
Size (LxWxH)
27.7x27.7x17 mm
Work temperature - 15 – +60 °
Storage temperature - 25 – +8 °C
Electrical Parameters
Working voltage 1 2 V DC
Average current
<25mA
Blind zone
≤50mm
Measuring height of liquid level Response time (without water)
50-1,000mm
Response time (with water)
2s
2s
Output mode Analog voltage
Resolution 1mm
Center frequency
2mHz
ESD ±4/±8KV
Accuracy (normal temperature)
±(10 + current height of liquid level*1%)
LED indicator light instructions Long bright
Power on, but did not detect the liquid Slow flash Liquid is detected and the LED flashes at one frequency per second
Electronic Wire Connections
Red VCC
Black GND White NC
Yellow Signal Output +
The Relational Graph Between Distance
Safiery LPG Tank Sensor T his sensor attaches magnetically under an LPG tank. It uses ultrasonic principles so therefore requires a sealed interface between the sensor and the tank shell. Excessive paint or rough surface will void operation. When operating successfully, the sensor flashes "blue" LED at the sensor itself. A gel couplant is included with the sensor. Whilst this sensor iappears similar to the water tank sensor, the actual ultrasonic head is not. It is a more powerfull ultrasonic to penetrate the thicker propane tanks and requires a digital pre-processor to convert back to 0-5V output. This is a 12V powered sensor.
Technical Specification for Sensor. Pre-processor is IP22
Performance Recommended application LPG Tank IP67
Measurement mode Non-contact
Length of wire 2000mm
Size (LxWxH)
50x50x20mm
Work temperature - 15 – +60 °
Storage temperature - 25 – +8 °C
Electrical Parameters
Working voltage 12 V DC
Average current
<25mA
Blind zone ≤50mm
Measuring height of LPG level
50-1,000mm
Response time (with water)
2s
Accuracy(normal temperature) ± 4%
Output mode Analog voltage
Resolution 1mm
Center frequency 2mHz
ESD ±4/±8KV
LED indicator light instructions
Slow flash LED flashes every second for valid couplant engagement
The Relational Graph Between Distance
Configuration The GX Tank 140 requires configuration through the settings menu of the GX Device. This can be accessed either on the display of the GX device or via Remote Console on LAN or VRM. Setup menu
Sensor type (current/voltage) The GX Tank 140 can be used with either voltage or current output sensors. Hence this can be set per channel it is possible to mix different types of sensors. By default the sensor type is set to “voltage”. Setting the wrong type will not damage the GX Tank 140. Fluid type Select from Fuel, Fresh water, Waste water, Live well, Oil and Black water. The selection determines the used icons and colors in the display. In case no specific Tank Name is configured, the Fluid type is shown instead. Volume unit Litre, Cubic meter, Imperial gallon, U.S. gallon. Custom shape It is possible to configure custom shapes for non-linearly shaped tanks. For example for a tank that is wider on the top it can be configured that 50% of sensor reading equals 25% of volume, and 75% equals to 90% of volume. Up to 10 positions can be set. In between, the value will be calculated by interpolation.
Averaging time
The averaging time is for the tank damping. Default set to 10 seconds, and configurable between 1 and 60 seconds. Sensor value This menu entry shows the current reading, without averaging, for the purpose of troubleshooting.
Device menu
Confgure a tank name This speaks for itself. VRM Instance The VRM instance is mapped to the instance on the VRM Portal.
Using the tank level to control a pump The tank level can be used to automatically run a pump. For example to automatically replenish a day-tank. First, go to Settings -> Relay, and set the relay function to Tank pump. Then go to Settings -> Tank pump, and confgure the menu:
Once confgured, the pump will run automatically. And also its available on the Mobile overview page (needs enabling in Settings -> Display and language menu):
There, select between AUTO, ON and OFF functions of the pump.
Disable unused inputs
Each of the four inputs can be enabled and disabled in the Settings � I/O � Analog Inputs menu. By default they are enabled. Disable the inputs that are not in use, to remove clutter from the Device list. After disabling, use the “Remove disconnected devices” option at the bottom of the Device list to complete the removal.
Using Tank level data is visible on the GX Device itself, ie. on a GX Touch or CCGX as wel as through Remote Console. And can be monitored remotely on the VRM Portal. Boat and Motorhome Overview The tank level values can be displayed on the home screen of your GX device. If the “boat and motorhome overview” is activated an additional page is available on the home screen. VRM Online Portal If enabled the tank values get reported to the VRM (Victron Remote Management) Online Portal where they get logged and can be visualized in graphs.
Device List The value of each sensor enabled is shown next to its name in the device list.
VRM Portal Please refer to the VRM Manual for further details about VRM.
Troubleshooting
Exceeding the limits (error) In case the measured value exceeds the limits (voltage: >10V, current: <4mA or >20mA) it goes into error. Check the sensor and your setup. Value sticks to a range of about 40 to 55% In a setup with a current output sensor this might be an indicator for a tripped fuse. The internal self-resetting fuse has a permanent current fow of 11 to 13 mA when tripped. The GX Tank 140 cannot detect this state as a fault. Check the sensor and wires for a short.
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