Guide
Welcome
When you begin to install the sensor, you need to be connected to the Internet, but when this is done, you can be off the Internet. If you like to watch your tank level on your smartphone you reach the sensor via Bluetooth. Finally, if you only connect the sensor to a control unit or a gauge, you don’t need your phone or Internet at all.
This information is in three parts
- In the box
- Mounting the sensor on the tank
- Setup the sensor
In the box
Gobius C is ready to use, everything is in the box. You have the sensor with a 3M tape, a 3M tissue, a cable to connect to a power source (12-24 V), and also to use for external devices, like warning lights/buzzers, control systems, and analog gauges.
In addition, you have an extra 3M tape to use if you like or have to move the sensor to another place on the tank. And, the sensor is waterproof IP44.
The guide gives you a brief overview of how to install the sensor.
Mounting the sensor on the tank
Explains in detail how you attach the sensor to the tank and also the difference between plastic tanks and metal tanks. For metal tanks, you need a hole in the tank wall. Gobius C cant read through metals, like stainless steel, steel, and aluminum. For all kinds of tanks, you need at least 65 mm of space above the tank.
Setup the sensor
Here you have all the possibilities to enter exact information for your tank, including size, volume, and type of fluids. In addition, you can choose at which levels you want to receive level alarms and which protocol to set to properly communicate with external devices. You can also edit, save, delete and do a factory reset. The necessary calibration is also done here.
Let’s start!
Guide 1
Installation on plastic tanks
Please note that this Gobius is mounted on the top of the tank, not on a vertical side. Keep also in mind that this top wall must be horizontal, ie not inclined.
Maximum tank wall thickness is for polyethylene 12 mm, fiberglass 8 mm and glass 5 mm.
- Find a place not too close to an edge, the minimum distance is 35 mm from the edge of the sensor to an edge of the tank
- Clean the surface of the tank with the 3M tissue. You can also use Acetone.
- Check that the temperature on the tank is at least 20C / 76 F
- Place the sensor on the tank and press it hard
- Wait 15 minutes for the tape to harden
Note:
You need at least 65 mm of free space above the tank for mounting the sensor.
This is also important. There must not be anything inside the tank that makes it not a “clear view” for the sensor to measure the fluid level all the way down to the bottom.
If you want, you can put a silicone string around the edge of the sensor to strengthen the attachment. We do not recommend using two-component glue to attach the sensor.
Guide 2
Installation on metal tanks
For all kinds of metal tanks you have to have a hole in the tank wall, at least 44 mm in diameter. Gobius C cant measure through metal walls. In many cases, there are tanks with “standard” holes for internal level indicators, like Wema and compatible level indicators (KUS, VDO, Biltema…).
Standard hole, 1,25″ SAE 5
To mount our sensor, you need to unscrew the other level indicator but keep the bracket in the tank.
With our Adapter (ordered separately) you can use the bracket on the tank and mount the sensor. If you have long screws in the bracket, you should change to short ones. Long screws can interfere with the measurement.
- Find a place not too close to an edge, the minimum distance is 35 mm from the edge of the sensor to an edge of the tank
- Replace the screws in the bracket
- Remove the protective paper from the tape
- Put the sensor on the adapter and screw it down by hand, not too tight
- Wait 15 minutes for the tape on the adapter to harden
Note:
You need at least 90 mm of free space above the tank for mounting the sensor. This free space includes the adapter.
This is also important. There must not be anything inside the tank that makes it not a “clear view” for the sensor to measure the fluid level all the way down to the bottom.
Guide 3
Connect to a power source, 12-24 Volts
Use the black wire to – connector and the red to +. (If you do the opposite, no damage occurs.) The red lamp on the top of the sensor will light solid when it’s connected to power. Later on, will the lamp flash when the sensor is measuring. Later on in this instruction, you will see how you set up the sensor exactly for your need.
Guide 4
Integrate with control systems and external devices
With Gobius C you get several different options to integrate the sensor with other systems. That is, in addition to seeing the exact level on your phone, you can see the current level on external instruments and on your control system. The table and the illustration show all possibilities.
Wiring diagram
| Red | Black | White | Grey | Brown | Green | Yellow | Blue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Power (12-24 V) + |
X | |||||||
|
Power (12-24 V) – |
X | |||||||
|
Output 0-5 V |
X | X | ||||||
|
Current loop, 4-20 mA – |
X | |||||||
|
Current loop, 4-20 mA + |
X | |||||||
|
Larm 1 |
X | X | ||||||
|
Larm 2 |
X | X | ||||||
|
Resistive out, 10-180 / 240-33 Ohm |
X | X | X |
Guide 5
Setup the sensor
Now the last part remains to start using your new tank sensor. You must now specify which liquid, tank geometry, tank depth, volume, etc., apply to your tank. You can also specify which alarm levels (in %) should be used, as well as if you intend to connect the sensor to an external gauge or control system, i.e. which signal the sensor should be set to (10-180/240-33 Ohm, 4-20 mA or 0-5 Volts.
Click here to connect to the sensor
Note:
To install from an iPhone or an iPad, you first have to download the browser Bluefy from App Store (free) and start Internet via Bluefy.
The automatic calibration is done for the sensor to learn the characteristics of your tank. This is needed during a new installation, but also at other times. Your app always reminds you when needed.
Very important for the Calibration:
The purpose of the calibration is to measure radar reflections from static objects in the vicinity of the Gobius C sensor. During the calibration, the distance from the top of the tank to the liquid level in the tank must therefore be greater than 150 mm (6 in).
