Safiery LPG tank level sensor, magnetic – Victron and Simarine compatibleMagnetic ultrasonic LPG level sensor with analogue voltage output

Overview

Safiery's magnetic LPG tank level sensor, part number LPG05080001-A, clips under a metal gas tank and measures the liquid level ultrasonically through the shell, so the tank stays sealed. It is powered from 12V, draws under 25mA and delivers a 0–5V analogue signal through its pre-processor, which Safiery lists as compatible with Victron Cerbo GX systems and Simarine monitors. A gel couplant is supplied for the contact face, and a slow blue LED flash confirms correct engagement.

• Magnetic base, fits under metal LPG tanks
• Non-contact ultrasonic measurement through the tank wall
• Analogue voltage output, 0–5V from the pre-processor
• 12V DC supply, under 25mA average current
• 50×50×20mm sensor with 2,000mm lead
• Blue LED confirms good couplant contact

How it works

This Safiery sensor reads the liquid level of an LPG tank from underneath, without opening it. Its ultrasonic head is more powerful than the one in Safiery's water tank sensor so that it can penetrate the thicker shell of propane tanks; it sends pulses through the steel wall and measures the echo from the liquid surface. A digital pre-processor converts the result into an analogue voltage signal of 0–5V.

The sensor runs from 12V DC and draws under 25mA on average. Safiery quotes a resolution of 1mm, an accuracy of ±4% at normal temperature, a response time of 2s, a blind zone of no more than 50mm and an operating temperature range of -15…+60°C. The sensor body measures 50×50×20mm with a 2,000mm lead, and the pre-processor housing is rated IP22.

Installation

The magnetic base holds the sensor under a metal LPG tank. Ultrasound needs a sealed path, so the gel couplant supplied with the sensor must fill the interface between sensor and tank shell; heavy paint or a rough surface prevents operation. When contact is good the sensor's blue LED flashes slowly, about once per second, which lets the installer confirm the position before finishing the wiring.

Connecting to the monitoring system

Safiery lists the sensor as compatible with Victron Cerbo GX systems and Simarine monitors. In its sensor manual the LPG sensor is one of five Safiery sensors approved for the Victron GX Tank 140, which reads signals between 0 and 10V: the upper and lower limits are set for a 0–5V sensor, an averaging filter of 1–60s steadies the reading and a custom shape of up to ten points corrects non-linear tanks.

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