Tanks in sailboats are a pain. Frequently they must take on weird shapes to fit the odd spaces where they live, they’re often hard to access, and even harder to monitor. When you think about all that internal tank sensors are up against—from solid waste to fuel—it’s not surprising that they fail or don’t provide accurate information.
Gobius Pro, nominated for a DAME Design Award in 2022, has developed an external sensor that gets around these problems and can be used on fiberglass, metal, or plastic tanks holding everything from water to waste. The unit “emits vibrations into the tank that its integrated accelerometer reads, then transmits this data via Bluetooth to the companion mobile app,” Albin Group Marine, who distributes the product in the U.S., says in a press release. “Featuring dual digital outputs with on/off signals, it also integrates into NMEA 2000, BUS, and other relay systems. It automatically calibrates for the tank material and contents, and works with all marine fluids such as fuel, oil, and fresh, grey, and black water. The app will pair with up to nine devices installed throughout the vessel.”
Because it’s entirely external, there’s no need to drill holes or cut into a tank to install it, eliminating the possibility of leaks. You can mount it with the 3M tape that comes with the unit. It supports 12-24V and draws 10mA when idle and 100mA while measuring.
There’s a range of sensors for various applications. In particular, Albin recommends using the Gobius C for unusually shaped fuel, water, or holding tanks, as it requires just one sensor mounted on top of the tank. The Gobius 1 also has a three-quarter-level alarm for waste holding tanks and comes with the sensor, panel, and control unit that can be wired up to 164 feet away using a standard PC network Cat 5 cable.
The Gobius Pro tank sensor is $199, Gobius C is $390, and Gobius 1 is $199. Albin.group.
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