Rocket Wireless Oil Monitoring System

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velvetfoot

velvetfoot

Minister of Fire
Dec 5, 2005
10,202
Sand Lake, NY
I just ordered this-I hope it works. http://www.oil-equip-mfg.com/docs/productsrocket.html
It monitors the oil level in your tank with a wireless ultrasonic transmitter screwed into one of the big threaded holes in the top of the tank and a receiver that plugs into a wall socket.
The transmitter sends a signal once an hour to conserve the battery and the receiver has an alarm when it gets down to 1/4.
It should install easily and preserves the original gauge. Cost is about 93 bucks.

I got it 'cause my oil company (auto delivery) ticked me off by charging more than market price.
I found another place that charged 60 cents a gallon less.
So, I cancelled the auto delivery and I'm going to shop around each time (I'm at .5 tank now.)
The remote gauge is to keep a closer eye on the amount of oil on the tank.
I imagine letting it run out might not be a good thing.

I figure this might be useful for someone else out there and maybe someone with the system would chime in.
I'll update this thread after installation.
 
I've put a number of those in for folks. Often for tanks in crawlspaces and other less-accessible areas, or for tanks with combination vent whistles and gauges, in which the gauge has broken (the combo fitting is not easy to replace).

One thing to note is that the standard fitting is only for 2" tank bungs - measure yours before you order, because there are adapters for the other sizes, and some of the older tanks have multiple bung sizes, instead of all 2".

Another thing to note is that on rare occasions, folks have asked for the unit to be removed because it annoyed their pets, but that has been quite rare.

You can also turn the alarm off, if you prefer. Make sure to follow the directions to set the tank height, or the readings will be incorrect.

Joe
 
Hey, thanks very much for the info Joe! It looks like I might not have totally wasted my money after all.

The unused tank threaded hole looks pretty big, it's new, but I'll measure. I think my tank fits the default profile, as per the install manual.

With the pet annoyance, is it the ultrasonic aspect? I thought it only took a measurement every day to conserve the battery, except when synching.
 
I just installed it.
One of the simpler things I've ever done: 15 minutes.
The meter seems to agree with the mechanical gauge.
The brochure says the transmitter will last 10+ years.
I have it plugged in behind the kitchen counter where it can be viewed easily.

Here are some pictures:
 

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How much is that bad boy and will it work with water?

What about nonstandard tank depths?

Chris
 
Redox said:
How much is that bad boy and will it work with water?

What about nonstandard tank depths?
Click to expand...

They're $90-110, from what I've seen. The adapter for sizes other than 2" (1.5", 1.25") costs a few bucks extra, if you need it (and leaves you with this random 2" adapter that isn't good for much, although I'm sure someone could find a use for it).

I can't imagine why it wouldn't work with water. I would assume that it has to be sealed pretty well to survive petroleum contact, so water should not be a problem, but you've had to check with the manufacturer to be certain.

It will handle depths from 20" to 120", according to the manual: http://www.oil-equip-mfg.com/pdf/rocketinstructions.pdf
The second page gives the dip switch settings that set it for various depths (in 2" increments, mostly).

Joe
 
I purchased it from here: http://www.sybasystems.com/
I paid $86.50 + $6.92 shipping from CT to NY.
Good price, quick shipment.

There shouldn't be any contact with oil, except the fumes.
You'd think those fumes would be worse than water vapor, but who knows?

OEM also apparently has a setup for outdoor oil tanks:
http://www.oil-equip-mfg.com/pdf/7100Instructions.pdf

I wonder what the propane people do with those 1000 gal buried tanks?
 
velvetfoot said:
There shouldn't be any contact with oil, except the fumes.
You'd think those fumes would be worse than water vapor, but who knows?
Click to expand...

There will be contact with liquid oil during the tank fill, most likely.

velvetfoot said:
I wonder what the propane people do with those 1000 gal buried tanks?
Click to expand...

Open the lid on the access pipe and look at the dial gauge :)

u4015 said:
I have an outside 500 gallon oil tank. Will the "rocket" work on that type of set up?
Click to expand...

Above-ground or buried? In any case, they have a model for either use.

Joe
 
redox- we use them on water tanks with good results. just want to avoid actual contact with water,which i'm sure would be the same with oil
 
Anyone ever seen a device like this (at a reasonable cost) that could tell you actual number of gallons remaining? It seems that these tell you 1/4 or 1/8th tank increments but I'd like to be able to monitor my oil usage a bit tighter than that.

I've been buying my oil from priceenergy.com and they are offering a device that works with their site (only) that can give the information (number of gallons remaining) - but it is $300 and only works with their site, and requires that you agree to what essentially amounts to an auto-fill agreement with them which I am not at all interested in.

Thanks in advance!
 
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