How do I choose the right Maretron tank monitoring product for my particular application?

Maretron offers three different types of tank monitoring technologies (i.e., adapter, ultrasonic, and pressure) for monitoring fluids aboard a vessel. Selecting the correct sensor can be confusing so this article helps you choose the right tank sensor for your application. Please read through the following questions to determine an appropriate Maretron tank monitoring product for your application.

1) Are your tanks already monitored with a resistive sender in the tank (for example a WEMA or some other manufacturers’ resistive sender)?

If so, then consider using the Maretron Tank Level Adapter (TLA100), which will convert the existing resistive sender in the tank to an NMEA 2000 signal allowing the tank information to be displayed on a Maretron display product or an NMEA 2000 compatible chart plotter. There are some important aspects to consider before purchasing a TLA100 so make sure you review the documentation found at this web page (https://www.maretron.com/products/tla100.php) or give us a call to discuss your application. Keep in mind that some in tank resistive sensors especially the float type don’t measure all the way to the top or bottom of the tank so even though the TLA100 might be appropriate, you might want to replace the resistive sensor with a different technology as discussed below.

2) Are you trying to monitor a gasoline/petrol tank?

If you want to monitor a gasoline/petrol tank, then you only have one product to choose from and that is the ultrasonic Tank Level Monitor (TLM150), which is specifically designed for gasoline/petrol applications. There are some restrictions when using the TLM150 (tank must be 24 inches deep or less) so please review the documentation found on the web page (https://www.maretron.com/products/tlm150.php) or give us a call to discuss your application. When choosing the TLM150, you will also want to purchase an appropriate focus tube, which can be seen here (https://www.maretron.com/products/tlm150.php?tab=3).

If you want to monitor some other types of fluids besides gasoline/petrol (e.g., diesel, water, black or grey water, oil, etc.), then keep reading.

3) Do you have access to the bottom of the tank or the side of the tank near the bottom of the tank (e.g., fluid pick up, tank drain, site tube fitting)?

If so, then consider using the Maretron Fluid Pressure Monitor (FPM100) with an appropriately sized “outside” the tank pressure transducer. The FPM100 is a cost effective solution especially if you have multiple tanks because it has six channels for monitoring up to six tanks when connecting up to six pressure transducers. Please refer to the following web page for more information about the FPM100 (https://www.maretron.com/products/fpm100.php) and please refer to the accessories tab for the different pressure transducers (chosen based on tank depth) used with the FPM100 (https://www.maretron.com/products/fpm100.php?tab=4). To see some suggested FPM100 tank monitoring systems, please see this web page (https://www.maretron.com/products/fpm100.php?tab=5).  

If you don’t have access to the bottom of the tank, then keep reading.

4) Do you have access to the top of the tank?

If you have access to the top of the tank, then you have two options, 1) ultrasonic tank monitoring (TLM100), or 2) fluid pressure monitor (FPM100). Choose the TLM100 (https://www.maretron.com/products/tlm100.php) if you have a one or two tanks that are less than or equal to approximately 40 inches in depth as the TLM100 is the most cost effective solution for a couple of tanks. Make sure you use an appropriate focus tube (https://www.maretron.com/products/tlm100.php?tab=3) with the TLM100 and for suggested systems please see this web page (https://www.maretron.com/products/tlm100.php?tab=4). For top of the tank access applications with more than two tanks or tanks deeper than 40 inches, then consider using the Maretron FPM100 with an “inside” the tank or submersible pressure transducer. The more tanks you have the more economical the FPM100 (https://www.maretron.com/products/fpm100.php) becomes since it can accommodate up to six tanks using up to six interconnected pressure transducers. Please see the following web page for choosing the appropriate submersible pressure transducer (https://www.maretron.com/products/fpm100.php?tab=4) and visit this web page for some FPM100 suggested systems (https://www.maretron.com/products/fpm100.php?tab=5).