How can I digitally monitor the filling level of the gas tank?

In the course of digitalisation, smart devices take on the tasks that people used to do. In many areas today, a well-organized logistics system is essential. This also applies to planning requirements for LPG systems and the LPG tank.

With delivery of the LPG tank by the supplier, the customer is also always given the option of monitoring the filling level. Each LPG tank has a mechanical level gauge – in most cases, this is on the top of the tank. This measurement technology is based on the float principle.

Advantage: The level gauge is included in delivery with no additional purchase costs. Disadvantage: The operator always has to climb onto the tank or into the dome if they want to know the current content. This can sometimes be very complicated – and is neither smart nor digital.

On-site LPG tank monitoring

If you would like to monitor the propane tank digitally, but you don’t want any further data transfer, your best option is the IAF 70. Tank probe S is applied to the mechanical level gauge, in most cases a brand by the manufacturer Rochester. This is equipped with a magnetic field sensor. In simplified terms, the latter uses the signal for mechanical level monitoring and transmits it as an electrical signal.

Via the cable, the signal is transmitted to the display unit IAF 70, which permanently shows the current content as a value in percentage by volume on the display. Great advantage of the device: You can set a limit value. A value of 30 percent is set ex works. However, the operator can define this individually in a range of 6 to 40 percent.

This means: If the filling level falls below 30 percent or the defined value, the device emits an alarm sound. This warns the operator so that they do not forget to re-order LPG.

Remote monitoring

For all those seeking a slightly higher degree of automation, we recommend the SmartBox^® 5 LPG PRO system. Tank probe S also uses the data from the mechanical content display in this system.

The difference: The signal is transmitted via the cable to the SmartBox^® 5 LPG, which functions as a pure data transmitter. So there is no on-site display, but the device forwards the data, for example, to the Internet database www.smart-inspector.com.

There, the measured values are collected, processed and saved graphically in progress curves.In addition, you can set up limit values from there and define who is to be informed in the event of an alarm.

Conclusion

So, if you would like a digital display on site without forwarding the data, the IAF 70 is just the right device.

If you want to do something smarter and would like monitoring as well as control from a PC or mobile device, the SmartBox^® 5 LPG PRO system should fit the bill.