Safiery STAR-Tank 2-tank bundle – Victron Nucleo GX2× STAR-Tank radar tank sensor with Victron Nucleo GX

Overview

This Safiery bundle combines two STAR-Tank radar sensors for two tanks, such as fresh and grey water with a Victron Nucleo GX, which receives their readings over Bluetooth. Safiery notes that GX Touch 50 and 70 screens cannot connect to the Nucleo GX, so levels are viewed on a compatible NMEA 2000 chartplotter or remotely on VRM. Both sensors are enabled in the GX Bluetooth sensors menu and calibrated tank by tank. Diesel tanks need the fuel sensor and a metal reflector plate at the tank bottom; chartplotter connection accessories are not included.

• Phased coherent radar measures from the tank top
• Fresh, grey and black water; fuel with reflector plate
• Internal battery, 3–5 years expected life
• 1mm repeatability, 30mm dead band
• STAR-Tank support built into Victron Venus OS
• Bundles for one to four tanks

How it works

STAR-Tank sits on top of a non-pressurised tank and measures the distance to the liquid surface with phased coherent radar, so no float, probe or sender loom enters the tank. Because foam and gases above the liquid do not disturb the radar, one water sensor covers fresh, grey and black water. Fuel is measured differently: the sensor times its signal through the fuel to a metal plate at the bottom of the tank and back.

Each sensor runs on an internal battery with an expected life of three to five years, depending on how full the tank usually is. Readings are sent every 60 seconds over Bluetooth Low Energy; a short press of the top button shortens the interval to 10 seconds for ten minutes during commissioning. Level, temperature and sensor battery voltage reach the GX, where the temperature value can also trigger a relay.

Installation

On plastic, polyethylene or fibreglass tanks the base plate is bonded to the tank top and the sensor screws onto it once the adhesive has cured; the radar reads through the wall. Metal tanks need an opening with the industry-standard SAE 5-bolt pattern, sealed with gas-sealing tape. The first 30mm below the sensor base is a dead band, tank wall included. Holding the button for about ten seconds runs the start-up routine that locks onto the main radar return.

Victron integration

STAR-Tank support is built into Venus OS: the sensors are enabled in the GX Bluetooth sensors menu and then calibrated on the GX, which uses the calibration to calculate percentage and litres. GX devices without built-in Bluetooth need a supported USB adapter. A GX Touch 50 or 70 screen connects to the Cerbo GX MK2 but not to the Nucleo GX; levels can also be shown on a compatible NMEA 2000 chartplotter or remotely on VRM.

Questions and answers