UTV Manual: Installing and Connecting the Ultrasonic Tank Sender
The UTV ultrasonic tank sender measures the level of waste tanks without contact from above, with no moving parts in the tank. It works on DC 11.5–30 V, outputs a voltage signal of 0.5 to 2.5 V and can be mounted on metal and plastic tanks. This page summarises installation, connection, testing and technical data from the manual.
Manual edition: V4, April 2016, 6 pages, plus the supplementary installation guide (edition April 2016). · Manual as PDF · Supplementary installation guide as PDF (German) · Go to the UTV product
Contents
- Scope of application and limits
- Versions and accessories
- Installation
- Wiring diagram
- Test before installation
- Operation and troubleshooting
- Technical data
- Frequently asked questions
Scope of application and limits
The ultrasonic tank senders of the UTV series are suitable for monitoring the levels of waste tanks. They are installed on top of the tank, on metal or plastic tanks. The level is displayed with analogue instruments of the UTV series or with the TCM4V tank monitors.
The sender generates a high-frequency sound wave and measures the transit time of the echo from the liquid surface. The sound wave must strike the surface vertically (± 6°). Level fluctuations caused by slosh are compensated by continuous measurement and a calculation algorithm. The housing, made of high-density polyethylene, is resistant to water, fuels and oils.
Important: This ultrasonic sensor is not suitable for petrol tanks. When heeled over, or under way in waves, no correct measurement is possible, which is why the manual does not recommend installation in fuel tanks. Ultrasonic measurement should only be used on stationary tanks and is not suitable for diesel and water tanks while under way. In a waste tank it is an alternative to the float sender if the tank can be measured at rest.
Versions and accessories
| Tank depth | Order no. | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 200 mm | 7 0219 3520 | UTV20 |
| 250 mm | 7 0219 3525 | UTV25 |
| 300 mm | 7 0219 3530 | UTV30 |
| 350 mm | 7 0219 3535 | UTV35 |
| 400 mm | 7 0219 3540 | UTV40 |
| 450 mm | 7 0219 3545 | UTV45 |
| 500 mm | 7 0219 3550 | UTV50 |
| 600 mm | 7 0219 3560 | UTV60 |
| 700 mm | 7 0219 3570 | UTV70 |
| 800 mm | 7 0219 3580 | UTV80 |
| Accessories | Purpose | Order no. |
|---|---|---|
| UFT40 sound guide tube (400 mm) | Also for retrofitting, cut to suit the tank depth | 7 0219 9400 |
| UFT80 sound guide tube (800 mm) | As UFT40, length 800 mm | 7 0219 9800 |
| UTS 25 spacer ring | Compensates the dead zone, incl. gasket and stainless steel screws (5 × M5 × 60 mm) | 7 0219 9025 |
| UTS 50 spacer ring | Compensates the dead zone, incl. gasket and stainless steel screws (5 × M5 × 80 mm) | 7 0219 9050 |
| Round gauge Waste Water UTV | Matching gauge for 12 V and 24 V | 2 0778 2041 |
| Round gauge Fuel UTV | Matching gauge for 12 V and 24 V | 2 0778 2021 |
| Round gauge Water UTV | Matching gauge for 12 V and 24 V | 2 0778 2001 |
In waste tanks the sound guide tube must be cleaned at least once a year.
Installation
- Position the UTV parallel to the measured medium and centrally in the tank. The sound wave must be reflected vertically, with a deviation of no more than 6°.
- Replacing existing tank senders is easy if they already have the SAE-standard mounting (5 mounting holes on a 54 mm pitch circle).
- The hole in the tank must be at least 38 mm, or 40 mm with a sound guide tube. The height above the tank surface is 25 mm.
- In case of faulty measurement, for example in waste tanks, or if measurement is also required when heeled up to 15°, the UFT sound guide tube can be fitted in the tank. It is cut to size (to about 2–3 cm above the bottom) and has a vent opening 5 cm below the tank sender.
- Do not overtighten the mounting screws. Otherwise the sensor housing bends and the signal can be completely distorted. A second gasket may be necessary.
- The gasket and the optional spacer ring fit in one mounting position only: the gasket side with the marking hole and countersunk hole faces the tank, and the cable outlet lies above the marking hole. On the spacer ring the marking points up towards the cable outlet.
- The rubber gaskets must be used so that the sender can vibrate. philippi advises against gluing or sealing with Sikaflex or similar sealants.
Wiring diagram
| Lead | Connection |
|---|---|
| black | Minus (GND) |
| red | UTV terminal of the TCM tank monitor or plus (11.5–30 V) |
| yellow | Output signal 0.5–2.5 V to the sensor input of the display unit (on the TCM: TG 1–4) |
Important: Never connect the 12/24 V supply voltage to the yellow sensor lead; this destroys the sensor. The diagram also shows the Turotest instruments (Fuel-UTV, Water-UTV, Waste Water-UTV) with lighting +12/24 V and a 1 A fuse in the supply lead.
Test before installation
The manual requires an initial test before installation, because tank geometry and baffles influence the measurement in unpredictable ways. With metal tanks the influence of vibrating tank walls is greater than with plastic tanks.
- Connect the UTV, removed from the tank, to 12 V or 24 V: black to minus, red to plus. Connect the yellow lead to a multimeter (DC voltage), yellow to plus, black to minus.
- The output signal of a valid measurement lies between 0.5 V and 2.5 V. More than 2.5 V indicates a faulty measurement, because no sound reflection is received.
- Hold the sender parallel above a flat surface at half the distance of the tank sensor (UTV50: 25 cm, UTV80: 40 cm). About 1.5 V must then be present on the yellow lead. In that case the sender is technically in order.
- If the output voltage stays the same when the distance changes, the sender is defective, for example after incorrect connection (yellow to supply voltage).
- If the test is passed, place the sender loosely on the tank opening and check it on the tank. If the value is plausible, it can be installed. Otherwise test another installation location or switch to a different measuring system: TGx float sender with GWA flange or TDS pressure measurement.
In this case philippi will advise you and help with exchanging the sender.
Operation and troubleshooting
- The power supply of the tank gauge should be switchable. At a current consumption of about 50 mA, continuous operation only makes sense while under way under engine.
- Because the measured values are averaged, the exact reading only settles after 10–20 s; changes are displayed with a delay of about 50 s.
- The sensor does not react, or reacts with a strong delay (up to 7 minutes), to rapid level changes (from full to empty within 2 seconds), because it treats them as an error. The last plausible level stays displayed. If the sensor receives no usable measured values for 10 minutes, it shows empty. If necessary, interrupt the instrument's power supply for 1 second to restart the measurement.
- Display does not change despite a changed level: check whether the sender is parallel to the liquid surface; if necessary fit a sound guide tube.
- Acoustic dead zone: No level can be determined in the 5 cm below the sensor; the displayed values there are undefined. A spacer ring (UTS) compensates the dead zone.
- Display too high in waste tanks: Deposits in the sound guide tube cause faulty reflections and usually a level that is too high; clean the tube regularly.
- Interference: Vibrating tank walls and other ultrasonic devices such as echo sounders or fish finders can disturb the measurement.
Technical data
| Supply voltage | DC 11.5–30 V |
| Current consumption | 50 mA |
| Output signal | 0.5 V (empty) to 2.5 V (full) |
| Response time | min. 200 ms, max. 5 s |
| Averaging period of the measurements | 10–50 s |
| Temperature range | −40 °C to +70 °C |
| Accuracy | 1 cm |
| Acoustic dead zone | 5 cm from the underside of the sensor |
| Hole in the tank | at least 38 mm (40 mm with sound guide tube) |
| Height above the tank surface | 25 mm |
| Mounting | SAE standard, 5 holes on a 54 mm pitch circle |
Conformity: EU Directive 2004/108/EC (electromagnetic compatibility), immunity EN 61000-6-1, emissions EN 61000-6-3, CE marking. For disposal, observe local regulations and use the collection points for waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Matching monitors and further senders: BTM2 battery-tank monitor manual · TCS tank monitor · TDS and TDN 200 tank probes manual · TGW tank sender manual · Level measurement in the tank · Tank sender finder
For questions about installation or for a repair: Contact · Warranty and repair · All manuals
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the UTV in a waste tank and while under way?
Yes in a waste tank, but only for measuring at rest. According to the manual, the UTV is meant for stationary tanks and is an alternative to a float sender in waste tanks. philippi does not recommend it for fuel tanks, and it is unsuitable for petrol tanks. Heeled over or in waves under way, no correct measurement is possible.
Do I need a UFT sound guide tube?
The manual generally recommends a UFT sound guide tube to reduce the influence of the tank on the measurement. It improves the result considerably and allows measuring even when heeled up to 15°. In waste tanks it must be cleaned at least once a year, because deposits cause faulty reflections and usually a level reading that is too high.
How do I test the UTV before installation?
First outside the tank: connect the UTV to 12 or 24 V (black to minus, red to plus) and measure the yellow lead with a multimeter. Held parallel above a flat surface at half the distance of the tank sensor, about 1.5 V must be present. Valid readings lie between 0.5 V and 2.5 V.
May I connect the yellow lead to 12 V or 24 V?
No. The yellow lead carries the 0.5 to 2.5 V output signal. If the 12 or 24 V supply voltage is connected there, the sensor is destroyed. The red lead goes to plus (11.5 to 30 V) or to the UTV terminal of the TCM tank monitor, the black lead to minus. Check the colours before switching on.
