Collection: Fluid level sensors

Fluid level sensors: monitoring onboard tanks

Level sensors allow you to track fuel, fresh water, gray water, or black water reserves from a gauge, a monitoring display, or a vessel network. Their role is straightforward: provide usable data before the tank is empty, full, or in a critical state.

On a boat, measurement is more demanding than on land: movement, heel, irregular tank shapes, moisture, deposits, and compatibility with displays can distort readings. The right choice depends on the fluid, tank type, depth, expected signal, and desired integration.

Tank probes and non-contact measurement

Ultrasonic probes measure the distance between the sensor and the liquid surface without a float or moving parts inside the tank. They are useful when you want to reduce the risk of blockages or fouling, particularly in wastewater tanks or hard-to-access installations. The BEP MC10 ultrasonic tank probe kit uses this method to measure liquid levels with a low-profile, programmable installation.

For simple local reading, the BEP 2-tank LED gauge lets you monitor two levels from a dedicated display. It is a suitable solution for setups where you need a clear indication without integrating the data into a larger monitoring system.

Interfaces and network integration

When levels need to feed into a vessel system, an interface is often required. The Victron GX Tank 140 centralizes multiple tank inputs for Victron GX systems. The VE.Can adapter for Victron resistive probes allows analog resistive probes to be integrated into a Victron environment.

For Mastervolt systems, the MasterBus gauge interface connects tank level data to the MasterBus network. For Blue Sea systems, the Tank Sender for Vessel Systems Monitor covers diesel, water, and wastewater tanks within a vessel monitoring setup.

Selecting by fluid and display

• Fuel and diesel: verify sensor compatibility, measurement range, output standard, and calibration.
• Fresh water: prioritize stable readings, easy calibration, and compatibility with existing displays.
• Gray water and black water: minimize exposed moving parts subject to deposits and plan for accessible maintenance.
• Local display: choose a dedicated gauge when the information must remain visible without a complex network.
• Network integration: verify compatibility with Victron GX, MasterBus, Blue Sea, or the existing monitoring system.

Pre-installation checks

Before ordering, record tank depth, fluid type, tank material, mounting diameter or pattern, supply voltage, and expected output signal. For irregular-shaped tanks, calibration is as important as the probe itself: raw measurement does not always yield a reliable actual volume.

To complete the installation, also consult the sensors, electronics & navigation, electrical, and BEP collections.