Find the right fuel gauge for you

Reliable level measurement on board is not a luxury, but a fundamental prerequisite for safety and comfort.

Whether it's fresh water, fuel, or wastewater – only those who have a precise overview of their tank contents can act proactively and avoid breakdowns.

That's why we offer a well-thought-out portfolio of tank sender systems: from proven float solutions of the TGT series to precise hydrostatic sensors of the TGW series, and innovative, non-contact systems like Gobius. Each of these systems has been developed to meet different requirements on board – whether in terms of installation situation, medium, or desired measurement accuracy.

In this article, we show you the differences between the individual technologies and how to select the right solution for your application.

Tank sender for metal tanks

When choosing a suitable tank level sensor for a metal tank, it is crucial to understand that not all measurement methods work equally well.

In particular, non-contact systems, such as ultrasonic tank level sensors, are unsuitable for use with metal tanks because the metal wall reflects and attenuates the signals so strongly that reliable level measurement is not possible. Even sensors designed to measure from outside through the tank wall do not provide useful results in practice and often lead to incorrect measurements or complete failures.

For metal tanks, it is therefore advisable to rely exclusively on sensors that operate directly inside the tank. These primarily include dip tube sensors, which provide precise measurement results regardless of the tank material and are suitable for various media such as water, diesel, or wastewater.

Classic float sensors, which operate mechanically and are considered a robust and reliable solution, have also proven effective. Alternatively, pressure probes can be used, which detect the level via hydrostatic pressure and offer advantages, especially for larger tanks.

Tank sender for plastic tanks

For plastic tanks, selecting the right tank sensor is significantly more flexible than for metal tanks. Unlike metal, plastics are not conductive and attenuate or reflect signals much less, which means that non-contact measuring methods can also be used reliably. Ultrasonic tank sensors are particularly well-suited here, as the signals can be transmitted through the tank wall and enable precise level measurement without direct contact with the medium. This makes them ideal for applications where no opening in the tank is desired or aggressive media need to be measured.

In addition to ultrasonic solutions, classic internal sensors also work flawlessly in plastic tanks, of course. Dip tube sensors provide very accurate readings and can be used regardless of the tank material. Float sensors also represent a robust and proven solution, especially for simpler applications. Pressure probes can also be used and are particularly suitable for larger tanks or fluctuating fill levels.

Float sensors of the TGT series are primarily suitable for clean media such as fresh water and diesel, as they operate reliably and precisely here. However, they are less suitable for contaminated liquids such as grey or black water.

Hydrostatic sensors of the TGW series are significantly more robust against contaminated or problematic media and can therefore be used well for wastewater, but also for fresh water and fuels.

Capacitive sensors such as the TDS series are versatile and suitable for fresh water and diesel, and partly also for grey water, but react more sensitively to changing media compositions.

Non-contact systems like Gobius are ideal for wastewater and blackwater tanks, as they operate without contact with the medium and are therefore particularly low-maintenance.

GOBIUS Sensors

Since the sensors are mounted on the outside of the tank and operate via vibration measurement, no intervention in the tank is necessary.

Neither openings need to be created nor components introduced into the interior. This makes Gobius particularly attractive for retrofitting, hard-to-reach tanks, or systems where hygiene and tightness play a major role, such as wastewater and blackwater tanks.

In addition, the sensors work without moving parts inside the tank, making them largely maintenance-free and less susceptible to contamination or deposits.

However, the use of Gobius is not optimal in every situation. The functionality requires that the signal can be reliably transmitted through the tank material, which is why material, wall thickness, and the external mounting conditions play a decisive role. Tank geometry can also have an influence: internal components, turbulent liquids, or unfavorable mounting positions can impair measurement results. Furthermore, many Gobius systems do not work as classic continuous level indicators but with defined switching points. For applications where a very precise and continuous display of the fill level is required, other measurement principles may therefore be more suitable.

The choice of the right tank sensor thus depends significantly on the medium used and the respective requirements on board – only when technology and application area are optimally matched can a permanently reliable level measurement be guaranteed.