From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5 bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing no bars
and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to showing
5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5 bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing no bars
and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to showing
5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

Battery failing in the transmitter on top of the tank??
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5 bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing no bars
and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to showing
5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

Oil watchmen are shite

If you want a spare one you can have mine. Did the same thing

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

They are just basically crap. Windy weather and trees are bad news if
the distance is significant.

I ran out of oil TWICE because I couldn't get a reliable reading.

Taking it apart and emptying water out followed by a day in the airing cupboard helps a lot as does a fresh battery

So I built my own, but even that has 'issues' Sometimes it doesn't
connect at all, sometimes it tells me the tank is full, but mostly I
know what the level should be so can disregard the errors. Right now its giving me the right reading.
Tank temp 25.4-#C (its in the sun), 640 litres, battery voltage 5.1V and
RSSI -81dBm on the wifi link

There are other options these days that will talk to an 'app' on your
phone, presumably via bluetooth, if DIY is not your bag

https://www.boilerjuice.com/uk/articles/tips-and-advice/heating-oil-monitoring-the-best-way

Friend has it, she says 'it works'
--
The New Left are the people they warned you about.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 16:05, Gordy wrote:

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably
since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5
bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing
no bars and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to
showing 5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

Battery failing in the transmitter on top of the tank??

Thanks Gordy, that is a possibility, although according to the operating instructions a flashing warning triangle should appear in the display
window to indicate that, which it does not, so I will have to see if the situation re-occurs.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5 bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing no bars
and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to showing
5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

sender battery getting to end of life - lower voltage at night when colder?
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 16:29, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

On 25/09/2026 16:05, Gordy wrote:

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil
tank with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked
reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5
bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing
no bars and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to
showing 5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

Battery failing in the transmitter on top of the tank??

Thanks Gordy, that is a possibility, although according to the operating instructions a flashing warning triangle should appear in the display
window to indicate that, which it does not, so I will have to see if the situation re-occurs.

Unscrew it and shake it. If there is water sloshing around inside open
it and dry it in a warm place. Might as well replace the battery if you do.

Getting the O-ring to seal properly is no trivial.

Mine ran out of range long before the battery warning symbol ever appeared.
--
How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think.

Adolf Hitler


--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 16:11, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably
since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5
bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing
no bars and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to
showing 5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

Oil watchmen are shite

If you want a spare one you can have mine. Did the same thing

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

They are just basically crap. Windy weather and trees are bad news if
the distance is significant.

I ran out of oil TWICE because I couldn't get a reliable reading.

Taking it apart and emptying water out followed by a day in the airing cupboard helps a lot as does a fresh battery

So I built my own, but even that has 'issues' Sometimes it doesn't
connect at all, sometimes it tells me the tank is full, but mostly I
know what the level should be so can disregard the errors. Right now its giving me the right reading.
Tank temp 25.4-#C (its in the sun), 640 litres, battery voltage 5.1V and RSSI -81dBm on the wifi link

There are other options these days that will talk to an 'app' on your
phone, presumably via bluetooth, if DIY is not your bag

https://www.boilerjuice.com/uk/articles/tips-and-advice/heating-oil- monitoring-the-best-way

Friend has it, she says 'it works'

Hi TNP thanks for your input.

I will check the battery in the sender unit, as that may well be the cause.

The tank sender unit is no more than 3 metres from the internal display
unit and there are no trees or foliage in between.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 21:37, alan_m wrote:

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably
since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5
bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing
no bars and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to
showing 5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

sender battery getting to end of life - lower voltage at night when colder?

Thanks Alan
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5 bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing no bars
and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to showing
5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

Give up on it and make yourself a dipstick - I found bamboo garden canes
seem to be the best. Fix the top into a block of wood so it can't fall
into the tank and set the length so it doesn't quite reach the bottom.
Mark it every 50mm, measured from the bottom (50-100-150, etcetera). You
might be able to find a calibration graph if your tank isn't rectangular
(mine isn't) but if you use a spreadsheet to plot the dip every week
(say) you will soon be able to predict usage and when to order. Put a
note in your phone to remind you to dip every Sunday evening (say).
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Sparky wrote:

Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably
since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5
bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing
no bars and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to
showing 5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

Give up on it and make yourself a dipstick - I found bamboo garden canes seem to be the best. Fix the top into a block of wood so it can't fall
into the tank and set the length so it doesn't quite reach the bottom.
Mark it every 50mm, measured from the bottom (50-100-150, etcetera). You might be able to find a calibration graph if your tank isn't rectangular (mine isn't) but if you use a spreadsheet to plot the dip every week
(say) you will soon be able to predict usage and when to order. Put a
note in your phone to remind you to dip every Sunday evening (say).

Forgot to add ... here's my record of volume, usage and price for the
last 9 years: https://ibb.co/svnbfF1Z

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5 bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing no bars
and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to showing
5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

FWIW, if you have the Watchman that takes CR2430 button cells you can
use the much more common (and much cheaper) CR2032 instead. I've had one
in for about a year with no problems.
--
Kempshott
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/09/2026 16:17, Kempshott wrote:

On 25/09/2026 15:48, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:

Hi All

I have Watchman Ultrasonic oil tank level sensor fitted to my oil tank
with a slave wireless remote display unit. It has worked reliably
since installation some 5 years ago.

The last time I checked the display a few days ago it was showing 5
bars (approx half full), however this morning the display was showing
no bars and the refill icon.

Not wanting to run out of oil I reordered a quantity straight away.

A few hours later around lunchtime today the display was back to
showing 5 bars. (No oil had been added)

Can anyone offer a plausible explanation for this occurrence?

The tank is not situated near any sources of electromagnetic
interference nor has there been any adverse weather.

I am mystified.

FWIW, if you have the Watchman that takes CR2430 button cells you can
use the much more common (and much cheaper) CR2032 instead. I've had one
in for-a about a year with no problems.

Thanks that's a good tip.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/09/2026 16:17, Kempshott wrote:

FWIW, if you have the Watchman that takes CR2430 button cells you can
use the much more common (and much cheaper) CR2032 instead. I've had one
in for about a year with no problems.

Thanks that's a good tip.

There are files available on the internet for 3D printing a suitable
adaptor.
--
braind
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2