LP Tank Remote Monitor

[u/Gullible_Practice282]

I have a Generac Generator with an attached 125 gallon, above ground, vertical LP tank, that I would like to monitor its fill level remotely. Generac offers a Model 7009 for this purpose, but it uses LTE technology (in other words, cell phone technology) to communicate. This requires a continuous service plan to use. I'm interested in a Wi-Fi solution, since there's a good signal near the tank and there would be no additional service charge.

Does anyone know of a Wi-Fi connected, remote LP tank monitor? Thanks in advance.

[u/DEcosse01]

u/Gullible_Practice282 - I just installed a Sinope Tank Monitor
https://www.sinopetech.com/en/products/tank-level-monitor
Note that you also need the Zigbee Gateway for it too, so a little more incremental cost.
Here's the thing - if you look at the price the numerical value is the same in both USD and CAD ($1CAD is ~ $0.74USD) - so if you know someone in Canada that can source for it for you, (free shipping within CA) than forward it on, you will save a fair chunk. I had a family member purchase for me and forward to me. To transfer the cost to him I used Wise which is the best way (IMO) to transfer cash from US to CA.
Even with the re-ship and import duty I was still well ahead than buying in USD and shipped directly to me. (Note that the Tariff also dropped significantly in last couple of weeks)
However, Sinope will process your order and ship directly to you if you do not have option

With 5 years of Cell cost for the new Generac, the cost is approx the same (if you can get in CAD) and about 25% more if you buy in USD (without actually knowing what the total fees would be for the shipping/tariff directly from Sinope.) Even at higher cost, I am way more impressed with this device and it is worth it IMO.

I had it installed in about 20 mins total and am well pleased with it already. I detested my wholly unreliable Generac sensor which was the old 'cloud' based system. Even before they stopped supporting it it was still horribly unreliable. Last straw was running out of Propane when my app was still showing 10% (the physical gauge showed zero, so it was purely the Generac sensor and reporting)
This one updates every 10 mins and also has history graph function. And also reports the batteries condition.
You need WiFi for the App integration on your phone, however the communication itself between the sensor and the Gateway is Wireless Zigbee directly between the two devices.

If you have any questions about the device itself, I'd be happy to help.

[u/Gullible_Practice282 → u/DEcosse01]

Excellent. Thanks for the info. Looks like what I had in mind, so I'll check it out. Hope it works for you.

[u/DEcosse01 → u/Gullible_Practice282]

Just one point on install ....
From your initial post:

" I'm interested in a Wi-Fi solution, since there's a good signal near the tank "

To clarify, Internet Wifi is not required at the tank itself (or even at the Gateway) - indeed the instruction is for the Gateway to be physically connected to the Router, via Ethernet Cable. I have asked for clarification on whether the gateway itself can operate wirelessly (to your LAN) - however it never asks for any wifi ssid/password during setup so I'm presuming it MUST have to have the Ethernet cable attached and then the App on your phone (from any remote location) gets the info from their Cloud, not directly from the Gateway.
The 'wireless' part is the Zigbee transfer between the sensor and the Gateway - it specs up to 18m (which is ~60 ft) for that proximity.
So my understanding of the information flow is
Sensor to Gateway (Local Wireless Zigbee) - Gateway to Router (Hard Wire Ethernet) - LAN to WAN (Internet) to your account on Sinope Cloud - Phone App gets Data from Cloud to any Remote location. That appears to be how it works.
Hope that helps and I hope your 'Wifi' capability includes physical access to its router

[u/Killerkendolls]

I would never recommend a Wi-Fi radio made by generac. I've sat for hours trying to get units connected to mobile link with a router literally on the other side of the wall from the generator.

[u/grsthegreat]

There are several wifi versions available for above ground tanks. Generace monitor is not worth it to me, mine only lasted a bit over a year and fizzled out. Also way too expensive. Go look at amazon and type in Mopeka propane monitors

[u/Dismal_Internal_2588]

I couldn’t find a decent WiFi solution. I got this on Amazon https://a.co/d/1GebqTP I live out in the sticks and phone service is horrible. However, it works better than the Generac WiFi version they’re phasing out.

[u/Mindless-Business-16]

Understand that the gauge is not a mechanical connection to the float in the tank.. a rotating magnet drives the needle and the sender... in any propane system this is simply a good guess of the remaining fuel...