STAR-tank Phased Coherent Radar Tank level Sensor Battery Operated Victron Cerbo Compatible

Install and Test by "The Yacht Rigger" in USA. USA Purchases may be made through them.

Note selection of tank type: Fresh, Grey or Black Water is exactly the same product. Fuel is different Firmware

Specifications

This battery powered sensor:

• Suitable for Fresh, Grey and Black Water from 20cm to 200cm depth
• Can be used for Diesel Fuel to 500mm in a metal tank or with a metal reflector under a non-metal tank.
• Bluetooth Connection to Victron GX and Colour Control (confirmed by customer)
• Battery Life 3-5 years (longer range and lower level tank, battery life 3 years. Shorter range and tank level typically 50% then 5 year)
• Battery 2477 range. CR2477 shipped but can be BR2477 or WT2477. Coin Cell Battery, 2.45 cm x 0.77 cm
• Bluetooth 5.3 Adv Output ONLY to Victron
• Deadband 3cm
• Max Depth 200cm. Can be configured to 0-50cm; 50cm to 100cm; 100cm to 200cm.
• Press button on top and reporting changes to 10 sec intervals for 10mins (during commissioning)
• After 10 mins at 10 sec reporting, interval changes to 60 second intervals

Construction

Body of the unit is billet machine alloy then anodised for marine use:

• Push button and LED are IP67

• Integrated Radar Frenzel lens in ABS suitable for diesel
• Threaded connection between ABS and allow case.
• Cap head screws for battery replacement.

Mounting

The base of the Sensor has 2 sets of holes:

• SAE 5 bolt hole
• For Plastic Tanks: Glue Sensor to top of tank. The SAE bolt holes form the basis for the bonding.
• It is Battery powered and Bluetooth
• No Wired Connections
• Simple Calibration needed from Victron Display

ETSI and FCC Compliance

This radar tank level sensor is approved with FCC for USA. It is compliant with European commission radio equipment directive 2014/53/EU article 3.1 and 3.2. and is CE and UKCA approved.

Comparison of Ultrasonic and radar tank Sensors to STAR-Tank

Other Items to Order that are related

NANO USB for Cerbo

Compatible Bluetooth temperature Sensors

TP-Link UB400 Bluetooth 4.0 Nano USB Adapter

AUD26.00

— OR —

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Disadvantage of Ultrasonic or Sonar Sensors

Non invasive tank level sensors have been limited to Ultrasonic up til now. Ultrasonic sensors operate at around 100kHz. If under the tank, the signal may be blocked by solids or material in the water. If above the tank, they are susceptible to foam and general interference from reflection. They are just not suitable for Black Water or Grey Water. and suffer from reflective errors. They have limited accuracy.

Radar technology is now Affordable

Phased Coherent radar operates at 60GHz and penetrates foam with great accuracy. Up until now, Radar has been an expensive choice and used in very high value applications. But the introduction of Phased Coherent Radar to EV's opened the door for inexpensive tank sensor applications.

In pulsed coherent radar, a series of short-duration radio frequency pulses are transmitted towards the water line from above. These pulses are reflected back and received by the radar system's antenna. The received signals are then processed and analyzed to determine the depth.

The term "coherent" refers to the radar system's ability to maintain a constant phase relationship between the transmitted and received signals. This coherence allows for more accurate measurements and improved signal processing techniques, such as coherent integration, which enhances the radar's sensitivity and range resolution.

Pulsed coherent radar systems are commonly used in various applications, including military surveillance, air traffic control, weather monitoring, and automotive radar systems. They offer advantages such as high accuracy, long-range capabilities, and the ability to distinguish multiple targets in close proximity.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/koQWxb1gkbY?controls=0&rel=0&playsinline=1&cc_load_policy=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fsafiery.com&widgetid=2

Video Showing Phased Coherent Radar raw signal
and corresponding tank level
as sensor is moved above water.

This is the most advanced software development we have developed as there are 3 independent IC's. fresh libraries had to be created.