Honeywell HERMetic DIP2 Closed Tank Dip Gauge | Marine Tank Bottom Inspection Dip Tape

Model Codes
TS10035: DIP2 30m Standard Version
TS10036: DIP2 40m Extended Version
Full stainless steel anti-corrosion construction, foldable angle joint, 500mm penetrating graduated sounding weight rod, closed measurement with low VOC emission, portable single-person operation, marine classification society certified compliance.

Specification
Structural Parameters 

Material & Anti-Corrosion Performance

• Shaft, tape and weight rod: 316 stainless steel, resistant to crude oil, seawater and chemical solvents

• Coupling sealing parts: FKM O-rings, resistant to hydrocarbons and acid & alkali media

• Reel housing: Coated cast aluminum with rust prevention treatment

Compliance Standards

• Complies with IMO Resolution A.446(XI) Manual Tank Sounding Regulations

• Mandatory inspection tool for dry tank verification after Crude Oil Washing (COW)

• Meets marine VOC closed-operation environmental standards to reduce hydrocarbon emissions
  
  

Working Principle

Hermetic Connection
Screw the 1” quick coupling at the DIP2 end tightly onto the tank-top HERM measuring valve to form a fully sealed channel with zero hydrocarbon leakage during measurement.

Lower the weight rod for sounding
Open the valve and manually release the stainless steel tape. The rigid 500mm weight rod descends vertically until it touches the tank bottom; users judge bottom contact resistance via hand feedback.

Sludge & Water Judgment Logic
Slightly release extra tape while the rod stays upright: the rod penetrates sludge layers, meaning standing water or thick sludge exists underneath. Calculate water layer thickness by combining the empty distance reading on the tape and graduations on the weight rod.
The weight rod tilts and collapses sideways: only thin residual oil or fully dry tank without thick sediment.

Reading & Reset
Read tank ullage from tape graduations, and precisely quantify bottom water height via built-in markings on the weight rod. After measurement, manually retract the tape, close the tank valve, disconnect the coupling and clean for storage.

Spare Parts List 

Drawing

Product Advantages 
Authorized Marine Compliance: Original Honeywell HERM supporting equipment, recognized by global classification societies & PSC; dry tank measurement data is legally valid for inspection evidence.
Closed Explosion-Proof & Eco-Friendly: Fully closed measurement drastically cuts VOC hydrocarbon emission; non-sparking design fits explosion-proof tank zones.
Specialized Sludge Penetration: 500mm extended solid weight rod penetrates thick oil sludge, distinguish dry tank / water layer accurately, which ordinary dip tapes cannot achieve.
Flexible for Narrow Valve Ports: Foldable angle hinge solves limited vertical operation space of marine sounding pipes.
Long-Lasting Anti-Corrosion: Full 316 stainless steel body resists crude oil, seawater and chemicals, durable for harsh marine environment.
Lightweight Single-Man Operation: Only 3.3kg, single crew can complete multi-point full tank inspection to reduce labor intensity.
Universal Standard Interface: Standard 1” HERM quick coupling, directly compatible with all existing HERM sounding valves onboard without pipeline modification.

Maintenance & Care 
Post-Use Maintenance after Every Operation

Rinse the tape, weight rod and coupling with fresh water and neutral marine detergent to remove crude oil, chemical residues and sludge.

Air-dry completely; never retract wet tape to avoid stainless steel rust and graduated marking abrasion.

Wipe grease and debris off coupling threads and O-rings.

Monthly Routine Inspection
Sealing parts: Inspect FKM O-rings of couplings; replace immediately if hardened, cracked or swollen by chemical media.
Stainless steel tape: Check for worn graduations, bending deformation and rust spots; polish minor rust or replace full tape if severely damaged.
Angle hinge: Lubricate with graphite-based special grease to prevent jamming and stiff rotation.
Tape reel spring: Test retraction tension; repair or replace spring assembly if weak or stuck. 

Long-Term Storage Rules
Store in dry & ventilated ship tool cabinet, far from oil vapor, seawater spray and high-temperature engine room.
Fully retract tape and install dust cap on coupling.
Fully clean and lubricate every 3 months to avoid rust from long static storage.

Forbidden Operations
Do not soak tape in strong acid or alkali liquid.
Do not lubricate couplings with ordinary engine oil (it will corrode rubber seals; graphite grease only).
Do not violently bend steel tape or strike weight rod to avoid permanent graduated deformation.

Acceptance Inspection Standard 
Initial Unpacking Inspection
Packaging integrity: Check wooden case/waterproof package for damage or water ingress, confirm no impact deformation during transit.
Parts cross-check: Complete main unit, operation manual and protective bag without missing accessories.
Visual appearance: No scratch or rust on shaft and tape; clear graduations on weight rod; intact coupling threads.

Functional Performance Test
Coupling Sealing Test: No air leakage after coupling tightening, intact O-ring without seepage.
Tape Retraction Test: Smooth tape without jamming, uniform spring retraction, clear unpeeled graduations.
Angle Hinge Test: Smooth 90° folding without jamming or excessive clearance.
Sounding Rod Precision Calibration: Compare with standard ruler, rod graduation error ≤±1mm, meets marine sounding accuracy standard.
Gas-tight Test for GT Version: Maintain pressure for 5 mins with standard valve without pressure loss.
Document Acceptance
Complete original factory certificate, English O&M manual, marine compliance certificate, material report delivered together with goods.

FAQ 
Q: What’s the difference between DIP1 and DIP2?
A: DIP1 is light-duty cotton rope version with short weight rod only for shallow dry tank confirmation. DIP2 adopts stainless steel tape + 500mm long weight rod to measure thick sludge & water layer, standard heavy-duty model for oil tanker COW operation.
Q: Can it fit non-Honeywell brand sounding valves?
A: Yes, it directly matches all industry standard 1” HERM threaded valves.
Q: How often should I replace the O-ring?
A: Recommended replacement every 6 months; replace every 3 months for tanks with long-term crude/chemical contact to guarantee leak-proof sealing.
Q: How to choose between 30m and 40m models?
A: 30m TS10035 for medium & small oil tankers /chemical tankers; 40m TS10036 extended version for VLCC supertankers & deep shore storage tanks.