Problems with "Watchman Sonic" Fuel Oil Sensor

[Ross365]

About 53 weeks ago , we had a new oil tank installed for the central heating. It came with a Watchman Sonic level sensor pre-installed. A couple of days ago the receiver suddenly changed from reading 2 bars (nearly empty) to 5 bars (half full). I've unplugged the receiver twice to see if it will reset but it hasn't.

I tried to take the transmitter of of the tank to see if I could find anything wrong, but cannot get it out. The main body has a small tube stub (to prevent internal condensation?) sticks out on one side and when I try to unscrew the unit that stub is fouling against the outer tank (bunding) wall.

I've mailed the tank supplier, who will no doubt point out that the sensor warranty is 12 months. Does anyone have experience with the Watchman sensors?

 

[waddycall]

Yep, they’re all sh#t. Make yourself a dip stick, shine a torch in or use a tape measure (ex oil engineer)

 

[Ross365]

Yep, they’re all sh#t. Make yourself a dip stick, shine a torch in or use a tape measure (ex oil engineer)

That's the impression I gained, and ever since it arrived, I've been using a dip stick to be sure. But I may want to sell the house next year, so then it will be a problem. Are there any better makes?

 

[cheb]

Now I know them all to be **** I'll be sure not to replace the one that's been on my oil tank for at least 15 years and never given me any problems. (House owner)

 

[waddycall]

Now I know them all to be **** I'll be sure not to replace the one that's been on my oil tank for at least 15 years and never given me any problems. (House owner)

I’m sure there are some that last but on the whole they are troublesome and untrustworthy!

 

[500e]

Had 3 in the last 7 years it's called wishful thinking

 

[jenki]

Gave up on mine after changing the batteries in the sender twice and resorted to a dipstick.

 

[Matchless]

I’m sure there are some that last but on the whole they are troublesome and untrustworthy!

enough about the wife, what about the tank sensor?

 

[Kayos]

Get one of the Apollo ones, still rubbish but at least its shaped like a rocket

 

[Gareth J]

Have two Watchman sonics here, both have worked faultlessly for 3-5 and ~10 yrs respectively. Can't even remember changing any batteries, though figure I surely must have for the old one.

Havn't a clue what would make them more or less reliable unfortunately.

 

[voipio]

They transmit on the same frequency as a whole load of other wireless remote gizmogadgetry, so interference can be a real issue, especially if there are a lot of other gizmos nearby, and the transmitter is quite a distance away.

 

[Blobber]

Is it really that difficult to pop the lid off and peep in? It's not like you have to do it every day

 

[Misterg]

A couple of days ago the receiver suddenly changed from reading 2 bars (nearly empty) to 5 bars (half full). I've unplugged the receiver twice to see if it will reset but it hasn't.

Is the tank depth still set with a series of DIP switches on the back of the receiver? Could these have been disturbed?

(I find ours very useful, btw!)

 

[Dev]

Mines worked without issues for 12 years + and I’ve replaced the battery once. It might make a difference that I’m not in a densely populated area with potentially loads of other 433mhz interfering.

Surprised there aren’t more wifi/zigbee based sensors.

 

[Ross365]

Is it really that difficult to pop the lid off and peep in? It's not like you have to do it every day

As per post#1, not only has it suddenly changed its reading, but I then found I cannot remove it from the tank!
No changes to the dip switches.

 

[Dev]

As per post#1, not only has it suddenly changed its reading, but I then found I cannot remove it from the tank!
No changes to the dip switches.

that makes changing the battery a problem - which is the first thing to try and fix it

 

[andymfell]

i'v got one of these and a watchman .
the watchman is sensitive to temperature variation
it threw a bit of a wobbler last week when it lost communication with the receiver reset cured it

 

[northwest]

Get one of the Apollo ones, still rubbish but at least its shaped like a rocket

Ohhh! I might get one of those.


I don't have an oil tank, but rockets are good, right?

 

[Ross365]

i'v got one of these and a watchman .
the watchman is sensitive to temperature variation
it threw a bit of a wobbler last week when it lost communication with the receiver reset cured it

Yes, I noted that we've had the first sub zero temps here this week. Looking on Goggle, it's clear that many Watchman sensors die early and the maker just doesn't to know about it. My impression is that fuel tank installation (restricted by OFTEC) is a real racket.

 

[Kayos]

Yes, I noted that we've had the first sub zero temps here this week. Looking on Goggle, it's clear that many Watchman sensors die early and the maker just doesn't to know about it. My impression is that fuel tank installation (restricted by OFTEC) is a real racket.

Oftec have no say over oil, its all building control

Ive fitted loads, just register with BC, I paid Gas Safe enough money over the years, wasn't paying oftec as well