Mopeka TankCheck - Bluetooth Gas Level Check

Two on Tour said:
The sensor is measuring from the bottom of the cylinder to where the liquid level is.
Try putting a bit of water in a glass and then tipping it to about 20 to 30 degrees and it will give you an illustration of why you get the low reading.
Click to expand...
I understand that theory but ... shouldn't it be reading the 'centre' level and not the edge? If so then tipping wouldn't make any difference to the reading as the unit would 'tip' to the same angle as the cylinder and read in exactly the same centre level? Or does the unit read a wider area and therefore gives the lowest reading it gets?
 
Minxy Girl said:
I understand that theory but ... shouldn't it be reading the 'centre' level and not the edge? If so then tipping wouldn't make any difference to the reading as the unit would 'tip' to the same angle as the cylinder and read in exactly the same centre level? Or does the unit read a wider area and therefore gives the lowest reading it gets?
Click to expand...

Sorry,I did not explain my thinking when I posted.
I think it works on scanning a wider rather than a pencil beam area, a bit like you see on pre-natal baby scans, so yes I think it picks up the lowest level across the scan and registers that.
My driveway has quite a slope to it and I get a much lower reading before I raise the front jacks to level the van on our drive.
 
Two on Tour said:
Sorry,I did not explain my thinking when I posted.
I think it works on scanning a wider rather than a pencil beam area, a bit like you see on pre-natal baby scans, so yes I think it picks up the lowest level across the scan and registers that.
My driveway has quite a slope to it and I get a much lower reading before I raise the front jacks to level the van on our drive.
Click to expand...
I bow to your knowledge ... as I've never been pregnant I don't have a clue how the pre-natal scan works! Did you go into the record books for the first male to give birth? :D
 
I too have never given birth but to be fair to Two on Tour isn’t it usually the bloke sat by the bed who gets shown the blurry photo of the unborn creature first, then faints?
 
As seen at the recent NEC Show - not as cheap as the Mopeka/Gas It versions but the price has come down on the Truma LevelControl as it now works direct to an app. too as well as to the iNet Box https://www.truma.com/uk/en/products/truma-caravan-rv-gas-fittings/truma-levelcontrol.html

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Wombles said:
As seen at the recent NEC Show - not as cheap as the Mopeka/Gas It versions but the Truma LevelControl now works direct to an app. too as well as to the iNet Box https://www.truma.com/uk/en/products/truma-caravan-rv-gas-fittings/truma-levelcontrol.html
Click to expand...

Truma say that the LevelControl won't work with refillables, but the Mopeka version clearly does. Are Truma missing a trick here? Is this down to a more sophisticated Mopeka app or is the intelligence in the actual sensor itself?
It would be good to have some more choices here for use with underslung tanks and refillables.
 
Careful! This Truma one does not work on refillable tanks, unlike the Gas It/ Mopeka one.
 
JustifiedAncient said:
Truma say that the LevelControl won't work with refillables, but the Mopeka version clearly does. Are Truma missing a trick here? Is this down to a more sophisticated Mopeka app or is the intelligence in the actual sensor itself?
It would be good to have some more choices here for use with underslung tanks and refillables.
Click to expand...
thebriars said:
Careful! This Truma one does not work on refillable tanks, unlike the Gas It/ Mopeka one.
Click to expand...
Thank you both for that - very handy to know (y)
 
I have the Mopeka sensors working on two 11kg R67 refillable bottles with auto change over and they work a treat, faultlessly.
The reason I have them is on auto changeover is to see when one of the bottles is empty and the other low ... so as not to be caught out when both are empty.

Yes the bottles have a top mounted guage but just looking on a tablet or phone is so much easier. You can pair the bluetooth sensors to multiple devices, but do it when you are fitting the sensors, mine are paired with Amazon Fire tablet and the wife's phone.
As stated earlier the brit bottles don't need the spacers because the underside rim is high enough for the sensors to fit without being squashed.

They are brilliant, no maintenance, I got these 2 sensors for about 68dollars Amazon.COM,
I think lots of people think the sale is for only one sensor as pictured ,but it is definately TWO ...Lots cheaper even with postage than Amazon.UK.

MOPEKA now have MK2 version of Level indicator that can be programmed for different sized UK bottles. So if you dont want phone app you can have a gas level guage in your motorhome.
The MK1 only worked for one bottle size so was no use but the programmable new version would work well.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
I have also had the Mopeka sytem and can confirm that the Truma sensor is a little more accurate and less prone to fluctuation (especially when not perfectly level).

Also that the Truma has a more solid bluetooth connection over the same distance.

Having said that, the Mopeka is more than capable 90% of the time.

Hope that helps somebody undecided between the two.

Graydo
 
Graydo said:
I have also had the Mopeka sytem and can confirm that the Truma sensor is a little more accurate and less prone to fluctuation (especially when not perfectly level).

Also that the Truma has a more solid bluetooth connection over the same distance.

Having said that, the Mopeka is more than capable 90% of the time.

Hope that helps somebody undecided between the two.

Graydo
Click to expand...

Thanks Graydo that's really interesting to know. However, for those with horizontal underslung tanks, is the Mopeka app the only one specifically able to select that tank configuration?
 
JustifiedAncient said:
Thanks Graydo that's really interesting to know. However, for those with horizontal underslung tanks, is the Mopeka app the only one specifically able to select that tank configuration?
Click to expand...
Can only check the Truma box info as manual is in my van in storage but it would appear that the Truma is gas bottle only.
However, it does also state on the box that it has to be used with the inet box (which I have) but I am sure that these sensors are sold as stand alone units and will work with the Truma app from the app store (but take that with a pinch of salt as I haven't tried)

Graydo

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Bought a Gasit refillable with the sensor. Filled up and it took a day to update the bottle being full on the app. Used it for a night and checked it on the morning to find it was down to 92%. All is well and good and a day later I checked the app again on my wife’s phone. It showed 100% full even though no gas had been added. Hadn’t been updated I thought. Checked my phone , same results.
Just had a thought as I was larking about with the VB full air system yesterday and perhaps the van not sitting level might have caused the app to play up. Further research required.
 
Cairngorm said:
Bought a Gasit refillable with the sensor. Filled up and it took a day to update the bottle being full on the app. Used it for a night and checked it on the morning to find it was down to 92%. All is well and good and a day later I checked the app again on my wife’s phone. It showed 100% full even though no gas had been added. Hadn’t been updated I thought. Checked my phone , same results.
Just had a thought as I was larking about with the VB full air system yesterday and perhaps the van not sitting level might have caused the app to play up. Further research required.
Click to expand...

I'm using a Mopeka sensor which the Gas-it is a rebadged version, and I have found it to be very accurate and as you are finding out, too much so at times in that it registers the changes in both ambient air pressure and temperature has on the liquid state of the LPG and as you say may be the parking angle difference from when you last parked up and viewed the tank level. I'm sure this is what you are seeing.
 
Two on Tour said:
I'm using a Mopeka sensor which the Gas-it is a rebadged version, and I have found it to be very accurate and as you are finding out, too much so at times in that it registers the changes in both ambient air pressure and temperature has on the liquid state of the LPG and as you say may be the parking angle difference from when you last parked up and viewed the tank level. I'm sure this is what you are seeing.
Click to expand...
Levelled it up and detached sensor and loo and behold the app updated to 83% full. However after an hour it was a 100% full again. Madra Mia?

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Works well except in low temperatures !
Below 5c the gas level reading fluctuates from correct to empty
As the temperature rises it then works correctly
(11kg refillable gaslow)

MJ
 
M J said:
Works well except in low temperatures !
Below 5c the gas level reading fluctuates from correct to empty
As the temperature rises it then works correctly
(11kg refillable gaslow)

MJ
Click to expand...
Three degrees here but it goes from correct to full. ??
 
The variability problem seems to have disappeared and the tank is always full 100%. Now I know that is incorrect but what’s a boy to do when everybody is on holiday till the 6th January. Will probably re attach the sensor every second day in a pathetic attempt to validate the purchase price. ?

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I see that Gas-IT are now explicitly saying that the bluetooth Mopeka sensor should not be used on underslung tanks - BUT it looks like this may be because the sensor is not waterproof. For those Funsters who have been using it with underslung tanks for the last 6 months, have you encountered any issues with water ingress into the sensor?
 
JustifiedAncient said:
I see that Gas-IT are now explicitly saying that the bluetooth Mopeka sensor should not be used on underslung tanks - BUT it looks like this may be because the sensor is not waterproof. For those Funsters who have been using it with underslung tanks for the last 6 months, have you encountered any issues with water ingress into the sensor?
Click to expand...

No problems with mine. Probably for two reasons, firstly I covered the face with a clear Fablon type film and the sensor itself is held in place with an aluminium cover which also gives it protection from water ingress.


The cover is secured with a self tapper, the clamp was used while I was test fitting the cover.

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Thanks for the really helpful photos. Looks like I can go ahead and order one, but may need to make my own cover for it.
 
You will need to find the sweet spot on the underside of the tank to mount the sensor that is clear of the internals of the tank to get it to read correctly. I would advise you to make a cover as it's main job it to keep the sensor held in place so it does not become dislodged or fall off due to rough roads or speed bumps.
The cover is dead easy to make. Mine is made from 1mm aluminium sheet and is about an inch wider than the sensor to give a little more protection from grot likely to be thrown up on the underside of the van, but saying that, it keeps remarkable clean around that area.
 
JustifiedAncient said:
Thanks for the really helpful photos. Looks like I can go ahead and order one, but may need to make my own cover for it.
Click to expand...

Just loving your forum name and strap line, very cool indeed.

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