Votronic Tank Sensor FL Installation And Operating Manual

Installation and Operating Manual

Tank Sensor FL For Tank Height 30 cm - 100 cm, 12 V and 24 V No. 5530

The tank transmitter had been designed for precise level masuring of fresh water tanks, sewage water tanks and feces
tanks of plastic and metal material in campers, caravans and boats. Measurement of the level is effected fully­automatically without mechanically moving parts according to the capacitive method of measurement, and it is
transferred to the display unit via a three-core cable. The electronic system is completely sealed.Suitable and required
for the VOTRONIC Tank Displays:

Tank Display Units (silver design):

Order No 12 V

Order No 24 V

Fresh Water Tank Display S

5311

5311

Sewage Water Tank Display S

5313

5313

Info Panel Pro

5330

6330

Votronic Bus System VBS 2

all Types

all Types

Votronic VPC System

all Types

all Types

Previous Votronic tank displays since 1987

all Types

all Types

The Tank Sensor FL has to be mounted directly at the tank. It is suitable for:

 Fresh Water (if applicable, please observe the Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality DIN 2001-2)
 Sewage Water
 Plastic Tanks, all materials
 Metal Tanks (Aluminium, Steel, Stainless Steel, etc.)
 It is adjustable to tank heights from 30 cm to 1 m.

Fig. 1: Installation on top of the tank (preferred)

The fill level in the tank is measured
capacitively. This is because the probe
forms with the surrounding water a
"capacitor" whose value increases with
the fill level measured by the Tank
Sensor FL. The compound to the water
as an "antipole" is formed by the
"conductor ".

It is important that the probe can hang
freely and do not tangents the tank wall
or installations in the tank.

Depending on the conditions of space,
the Tank Sensor FL can be installed:

1. at the tank top (preferred, Fig. 1)

2. or laterally at the tank top (Fig. 2).

- 2 -

Fig. 2: Installation at the Lateral Top Side

Installation from the top, Fig. 1:

The bore hole Ø 12.5 mm for the probe should be placed
at the topmost location and in the tank centre. The
antikink device at the screwed cable gland is not required
and can be cut off. Screwed cable gland has to be bolt
together with sealing ring and counter nut.

Installation at the lateral top side, Fig. 2:

The bore hole Ø 12.05 mm for the probe should be
placed as high as possible at the tank top. The antikink
device is located at the tank. It ensures the required
distance between probe and tank wall. Thus, indication
errors due to formation of algae or soiling of probe and
tank wall are avoided. Screwed cable gland has to be
bolt together with sealing ring and counter nut.

Module mounting, Fig. 1 and 2:

Drill a second bore hole Ø 9.5 mm for the rubber dowel
in the immediate vicinity of the bore for the probe. The
rubber dowel is used to install the electronics module
with the long stainless steel screw M5x30. It is
important to ensure that the probe cable lays shortest
possible route from the electronic module to the
screwed cable gland of the probe (Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) to
avoid errors.

Conductor mounting on the plastic tank, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2:

Set the hole Ø9.5 mm for the conductor as near as possible to the bottom of the plastic tank. The drilling has to be
burr. Rubber dowel with washer, cable lug and stainless steel screws M5x20 can be installed, Fig. 3

Conductor connection to the metal tank, Fig. 4:

Conductor screw and rubber dowel are not required for metal tanks. Instead, connect the cable lug electrically to the
tank by means of a Parker screw near the electronic module.

Fig. 3: Conductor with Plastic Tanks Fig. 4: Conductor with Metal Tanks

Probe Length:
Insert a screwed cable gland into the bore hole and pull up the probe until a clearance of approx. 10-20 mm is left
between the probe end and the tank bottom. Thus, indication errors due to formation of sludge in sewage water and

feces tanks is avoided. Tighten the screwed cable gland until the probe will be held perfectly, even in case of slight of
tensile load.
Shorten excess of probe cable, neatly strip the insulation and screw down to the electronic module with the terminal
"Probe".

- 3 -

Connection (q.v. Fig 5, Connection Plan):

Configuration of Connections Tank Probe:

1 = Battery „-„ (Minus) or Body Ground (0.5 - 1.0 mm²)
4 = Tank Pulse to the Display Unit Connection 4 (0.5 - 1.0 mm²)
5 = Tank „+“ to the Display Unit Connection 5 (0.5 - 1.0 mm²)
A = Conductor Stainless Steel Screw at the Tank Bottom
S = Probe measuring line, highly flexible, being suspended in the

tank

The VOTRONIC Tank Sensor FL is completely protected against wrong
polarization. It is, however, recommendable to use connection cables of
different colours to avoid malfunctions due to mixed up connections.

Start-up and Adjustment:

A setting screw being located at the terminal side of the electronic module
can be used for the adjustment "Full" to the conditions of the tank. The
range of action of this setting screw is 25 rotations. It does not have a limit stop, so "overwinding" is excluded.

1. Fill the tank until the reserve level is reached (fig. 1 and fig. 2).

2. Turn the adjuster "Full" until "100 %" will be displayed on the display panel without problems.

The adjustment procedure is completed. The functions of the display can now be simulated with several water levels
in the tank or by withdrawing the probe cable out of the full tank.

Final Installation:

In case of underfloor installation of the tank, the electric connections (terminal screws), the input of the
probe screwing and the setting screw at the tank sensor FL have to be protected against environmental
pollution by means of sealant. We recommend to also protecting the conductor (cable lug, stainless steel
screw). Use a permanently elastic sealant (e. g. "Sikaflex") for protection.

Neither use silicone separating acetic acid in connection with metal, nor resisting agent containing carbon! The above-

mentioned sealant has been proved to be very suitable in practice.

Tips & Tricks:

No reaction of display:

a.) Cable "4 = Tank Pulse" withdraw connector by way of trial: The display should increase to "100 %".
b.) Battery connection or fuse defective - check
c.) Cable „5 = Tank Pulse“ interrupted - check
d.) Cable „4 = Tank Pulse“: Short-circuit to ground - check
e.) Conductor does not have any contact with liquid - check

Constant display of 100 % on the display unit:

a.) Cable "4 = Tank Pulse" withdraw it and direct it to ground: No display
b.) Cable „4 = Tank Pulse“ interrupted – check
c.) Cable "1 = Battery Minus/Ground" is interrupted or does not have any contact at the body sheet - check
d.) Contact of the insulated probe with water (silicone cap leaky or dropped off, damaged insulation) – check

Indication Errors:

a.) In case of underfloor installation of the tank and insufficient protection of the electric connections (humidity,

soiling, de-icing salt) - clean and seal

b.) Intense soiling and furring of the probe (formation of algae in the fresh water tank, "stuck" solids in the sewage

water tank and feces tank) - clean tank

- 4 -

Safety Regulations and Appropriate Application:
The VOTRONIC tank measuring sensor has been designed according to the valid safety regulations. Application is
only allowed, if the unit is in technically faultless condition, in fixed installed 12 V / 24 V DC (direct current)
systems / on-board power supply systems and only for the measurement of water or water-containing media.

system.

defects must be remedied immediately.

regulations to be observed, a specialist is always to be consulted.

specification, in case of improper operation or external intervention. We do not assume any liability for any damage
resulting hereof. The liability exclusion is extended to any service being executed by third, which has not been
ordered by us in writing. Service is to be effected exclusively by VOTRONIC Lauterbach / Germany.

Declaration of Conformity:

In accordance with the provisions of Directives 2014/35/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2009/19/EC, this
product complies with the following standards or normative documents:
EN55014-1; EN55022 B; EN61000-6-1; EN61000-4-2; EN61000-4-3; EN61000-4-4;
EN62368-1; EN50498.

The product
must not be
disposed of in
the household
waste.

The product is RoHS compliant.
It complies with the directive
2011/65/EU for Reduction of
Hazardous Substances in electrical
and electronic equipment.

Technical Data:

Operating Voltage: 12 V/24 V-DC Battery voltage (of the display)
Measuring Method: capacitive
Tank Height, adjustable: 30 - 100 cm

Delivery Scope:

Subject to misprints, errors and technical modification without notice.
All rights reserved, particularly the right of reproduction. Copyright  VOTRONIC 04/18.
Made in Germany by VOTRONIC Electronic-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, Johann-Friedrich-Diehm-Str. 10, 36341 LAUTERBACH/GERMANY
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: www.votronic.de