We live in Mexico and have a 1100 liter water tank on the roof which feeds the house with the help of gravity and a tank/pump that bumps up the water pressure. Our water supply (from the neighborhood well) is very sporadic and last weekend we ran the tank dry. Someone recommended I install a 'level gauge' either at a hose bib or a sink faucet which would provide indication of the water level in the tank without my climbing up a ladder and opening it.

I have put in a good bit of time trying to find such a gizmo to no avail. Is anyone familiar with such a device and perhaps provide a pointer to where I might pick it up ?

Thanks !

 

Not aware of any way to sense the tank level from a remote faucet or hose bibb. If the tank was gravity feed only, there would be a slight pressure difference between full and empty tank, but it would be tricky to turn that in to a reliable level indicator, and in any case, having a pressure boost pump rules out that method anyway.

There are inexpensive gauges that would attach to the tank and could possible be read from the ground. Or for a little more money there are wireless versions that have a sensor in the tank but have a remote reading unit.

Here's an example of the first type:

https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Harvesti...nk+level+gauge

And the second type:

https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Harvesti...nk+level+gauge

If the tank is visible from the ground, adding a clear pipe next to the tank, connected to the tank outlet, running vertically the full height of the tank and open to the air at the top (with a loose cover to keep "stuff" out) would provide a visual indication of level, as the water level in the pipe would track the water level in the tank. You put a colored plastic ball or the like in the pipe so it floats on the water and makes it easy to see the water level.

 

IF you can add a tapping at the base of the tank, even the outlet going to the pump is okay, and then run tubing (1/4 inch or so) to a Magnehelic gauge located where you will see it on a regular basis you can make a gauge. The Magnehelic would need to have a range in inches of water equal to the difference between the gauge location and the top of the tank. You would only read from the top of the Magnehelic scale to the lowest position of the tank.

Example: The top of the tank is 100 inches above the location of the gauge so use a 100 inches of water Magnehelic gauge. The bottom of the tank is 70 inches above the location of the gauge so ignore the first 70 inches of the gauge scale. The working depth of the tank will be from 70 inches (empty) to 100 inches (full).

It is possible the Magnehelic gauge could be calibrated with enough of an offset so that the height from the bottom of the tank to the gauge location could be canceled; if so you would only need a gauge with a range equal to the height of the tank from empty to full.

Magnehelic gauges are often available on eBay for less than $50. They come in a wide range of calibrations.

 

Thank you both. I've ordered the wireless unit from Amazon. I read the reviews and most people were happy with it.