The Smart Oil Gauge is a useful tool to be able to find out your usage and level data for your heating oil system! However, there are two different models of devices! There’s the Standard Smart Oil Gauge and the Duo Gauge. Both are great devices, but they do have differences that can set them apart from each other! Below, I’ll have everything that you need to understand the differences between our two Smart Oil Gauge devices!
Differently Designed Caps
At first glance, you can clearly tell the difference between the Duo and Standard Smart Oil Gauges. They both have differently designed caps. The standard gauge has a white PVC cap that’s a single piece. However, the Duo comes in a two-piece grey plastic cap. The reason for the Duo’s cap being in two pieces is to be able to provide a stronger seal. This is especially useful on outdoor tanks. This is because on Duos, the two-piece cap gives the gauge a better seal that prevents moisture from getting into the device. Part of this two-piece cap sits on top of the internals, while the other piece screws on over it. However, with the standard Smart Oil Gauge, the cap simply screws on!
Notably, for the Outdoor Duos, you won’t need to apply Teflon tape around the top threads of the gauge. This is because the caps on the Duo provide a strong seal to prevent moisture from building up on the inside of it! With our previous Standard Indoor/Outdoor device, we had suggested wrapping Teflon tape around the top threads. On the Duo, that’s not necessary!
Sensor Sensitivity & Operating Range
If you’re a long-time user of the original Smart Oil Gauge, then you might be aware of a slight sensitivity that the gauge has when the tank is full. This is anytime there’s oil within the top 8″ of the tank. This can cause the gauge’s signal to bounce around a lot when the tank is full. This will cause the gauge to read less oil at first when the tank is full.
However, as you burn oil, you’ll see the level slowly decline. The gauge will then give a sudden spike up in oil on the graph, almost like you got another fill-up. But this is actually just the oil level clearing the top 8″ of the tank. If you’d like to learn more about this sensitivity, you can check it out on our website here. The reason for this is because of the standard Smart Oil Gauge’s operating range of 8″-72″. The gauge won’t be able to pick up anything within the top 8″ of the tank.
However, on the Smart Oil Gauge Duo, the operating range is slightly larger. The Duo has an operating range of 0-72″. This means that anything within the top 8″ of the tank, the Duo will be able to pick up without issue. This is because of the Smart Oil Gauge Duo’s dual sensor structure; the gauge has a much easier time sending and receiving the signal. One of the gauges sends the signal, while the other receives it. This makes the Duo more accurate overall, especially when the tank is full.
Gauge Compatibility
When using the Duo and Standard Smart Oil Gauges, it’s important to know their compatibility with adapters and tanks.
Firstly, when it comes to the adapters, there’s a major difference between the two models of Smart Oil Gauge! They both have a different sensor structure, so their adapters aren’t interchangeable. Meaning, you cannot use the Duo adapter on a Standard Smart Oil Gauge and vice versa. The Duo has two adapters, being the CCF-905DUO and the CCF-906DUO. These adapters are for 1.5″ NPT tanks and Roth tanks, respectively. Meanwhile, the standard Smart Oil Gauge has three adapters. These are the CCF-905, CCF-906 & CCF-908. The 908 model is for tanks with 1.25″ NPT fittings. The Duo CANNOT be used on tanks with a 1.25″ NPT fitting. This is because the gauge’s sensors are too large to fit into the holes of the adapter. If you purchased a Duo for a 1.25″ NPT fitting tank, then you will need to return the Duo and purchase the standard model.
As for tank compatibility, both of these gauges are both compatible and incompatible with the same tanks. Both the Duo and Standard model Smart Oil Gauges can be used on all standard oil tanks. However, there are three tank styles for which the gauges cannot be installed. These tanks are Roth 1500L, underground, and fiberglass tanks. Each tank has its own reason for the Smart Oil Gauge being unable to work on them. But in short, Roth 1500L tanks have an interior support baffle that prevents the gauge from reading beyond half a tank. Underground tanks are too far underground for the gauge to properly read the level. Fiberglass tank fittings will tend to have a “lip” that interferes with the gauge’s signal and prevents it from reading properly.
Different Internals
On the standard model of Smart Oil Gauge, the internal boards connect via pins on the bottom. These boards shouldn’t be disconnected, as it can be a little bit frustrating to reconnect them. Additionally, the Smart Oil Gauge won’t be able to read properly if they’re disconnected. If they’re not connected properly, the gauge will read beyond a full tank.
However, the Duo model has a set of internals that are stored in a trash can-like structure. You can take this trashcan-like structure out of the piping to troubleshoot or change the batteries if needed! This makes the process of troubleshooting the gauge or changing the WIFI information a lot less frustrating! By doing this, you don’t have to stay at the tank location and try to reconnect it. You can instead do it all from the warmth of the confines of your home!
Which Gauge Should you purchase?
Now, as strange as this sounds, which one you should purchase depends on your tank setup and personal preference! They’re both great! However, if you’re the type of person who likes to know the exact amount of oil in the tank even when it’s full, the Duo is your best bet! The Duo’s larger operating range is going to help you get an accurate reading of oil, especially with the full tank. But if the sensitivity isn’t a big issue for you, then the standard model is still a great choice!
However, if you have a tank with a 1.25″ NPT fitting, then you MUST get the standard Smart Oil Gauge. This is because the standard gauge is able to fit properly into the CCF-908 adapter, which the Duo won’t be able to!
Happy Heating!
Hunter
