Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Bill Chaplin on May 08, 2013, 09:07:35 am

Title: See Level system
Post by: Bill Chaplin on May 08, 2013, 09:07:35 am
Just purchased the See Level system from Garnet Instruments in Grandbury TX.
System 709
New & improved unit is about  3" X 5", leaving room where the Audit CRT was for other add-ons

Have hopes of mounting RVCam's 3 camera display there with a window mount.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 08, 2013, 09:49:01 am
Bill,

Let us know how you like it. I have been procrastinating about adding a like device. I did the research a while back and it looks as if we both came up with the same brand. Since I removed the Audit display and installed the voltmeters, we have been without any tank level indicators.

Pierce
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: P. Wyatt Sabourin on May 08, 2013, 12:50:42 pm
I purchased two SeeLevel "Fresh, Grey, Black, LPG, Batt" systems two years ago. Much more information than the Audit system. I purchased two complete systems because the tanks on Foretravel are way too tall for a single strip and the kit cost less than extra strips.

Fresh water reads 70% at 60 gallons (on a calibrated site tube), so reads about 10% high. I do not know how close the black and grey tanks read, but it provides better info than the Audit.

One display panel is in the kitchen and the other beside the driver.

With a single SeeLevel system, you would get the information you need by installing the sensor strips on the top half of the waste tanks and the bottom half of the fresh tank.

I particularly like the instant info available with the SeeLevel system, while the Audit system required turning on the CRT dash monitor to get readings which were of dubious value (fresh at 1/4 meant 12 - 36 gallons of water, not so good for dry camping.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Dean & Dee on May 08, 2013, 01:10:20 pm
                 I had installed the See Level System on both of our previous motorhomes. Found them to be much more accurate then the factory system and like Wyatt said they are more user friendly and convenient with a push of a button when walking past.

                    Dean
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Steve & Kathy B on May 10, 2013, 07:49:56 am
I have the See Level as well.  Put a monitor inside and outside in the wet bay.  Monitor inside is next to the closet in our bathroom. Very dependable and accurate.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Kent Speers on May 10, 2013, 07:57:34 am
We also put the See Level system in our U225 when the Audit went out. Like Wyatt said, I was a cheapskate and put the sending strips for the dump tanks on the top so I could see when they were full and on the bottom of the fresh water so I could see when it was approaching empty.

Wyatt thanks for the tip on buying two See Level kits to save money on the sending strips. Where did you get your's? I intend to install it on my U300 pretty soon.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Bill Chaplin on May 10, 2013, 08:05:20 am
AS we speak (?) I am removing the complete Audit system and replacing the fluid level function with See Level system.
Went to Grandbury TX, Garnet System's local office, Speaking to "Pete", who showed me the outs & in of installation. Removing all accessable wiring from old system as new only needs 1 power source to tank area. What a mess of wires in the utility bay, hiding behind the panel in section aft of the bay!
Also replacing the camera capabilities of the Audit with 3 camera system from RVCams.com.
Which also has a great support/technical system

The hardest part..............removing all the old wiring
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 26, 2016, 05:14:03 pm
I am having an issue with our installed see level system. I know this is an old thread but the topic is correct. In any case the see level system is not reading correctly on the fresh water tank. I had the installer take a look at it today and he surmised that I had calcium built-up in the fresh water tank. Anyone had that problem and if so how did you clean the tank. Anyone use vinegar in the fresh water tank? Results?

Roland
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 26, 2016, 05:35:04 pm
Anyone use vinegar in the fresh water tank?
Vinegar is acid, but not very strong.  For instance, I just used it to help clean out my OEM water heater tank.  I found a old Atwood tech document that recommended 4 parts vinegar to 2 parts water for that job.  That's 4 gallons of vinegar for a 6 gallon heater tank.  To make up that strength solution in your water tank, you would need a LOT of vinegar.  I'm thinking there has to be a more economical way to accomplish that task.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on July 26, 2016, 08:20:31 pm
The SeeLevel system works great.  For the tall tanks it takes two strips.  It is cheaper to buy two three strip systems.  Then you can have a display inside and one in the wet bay. 

See Garnet 709 Seelevel II Tank Monitoring System (http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Garnett-Technologies-Model-709-SeeLeveL-II-p/709-1003.htm)

Roland, when you say it is not reading correctly what does that mean?
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 26, 2016, 11:49:07 pm
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 link=msg=240398 date=1469578831 Roland, when you say it is not reading correctly what does that mean? [/quote
ean?


The system is not reading the water level. The audit monitor indicates that my fresh water tank is 3/4 full. (And it is) The see level system indicates it is at 31℅. Garnet tells me that there probably is calcium  buildup in the tank causing the incorrect reading. No explanation as to why the audit monitor system reads correctly. Why am asking how to clean the fresh water tank to rid it of possible calcium.


Roland

Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Dave Katsuki on July 26, 2016, 11:50:31 pm
We had errant grey and black tank readings with the Sealevel system about a year ago, and I put about 10 gallons of vinegar into both tanks, filled both with water and let it sit for a couple of days, then flushed both, and have had no more problems.  Haven't done the fresh tank yet, but with the hard water we seem to always be connected to, it will probably be needing it soon. 
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 26, 2016, 11:59:28 pm
We had errant grey and black tank readings with the Sealevel system about a year ago, and I put about 10 gallons of vinegar into both tanks, filled both with water and let it sit for a couple of days, then flushed both, and have had no more problems.  Haven't done the fresh tank yet, but with the hard water we seem to always be connected to, it will probably be needing it soon. 

Connecting to city water should bypass the fresh water tank as long as the pump is off. Is that correct? If so I can pump vinegar into the tank and let it set for a couple days. Have never run on city water hook-up always run off the tank so not sure how it works.

Roland
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on July 27, 2016, 09:05:50 am
Roland, the Audit system uses a pressure transducer to measure water.  More water in the tank means more pressure and the transducer sends more voltage to the Audit which shows a higher level.  The SeeLevel uses some other kind of magic that senses when there is something other than air on the other side of the tank wall.  If it is a calcium build up I am a bit surprised the pressure transduce isn't clogged up as well.  So perhaps the vinegar is something to try.  It is easy to get the vinegar into the gray or black tank. Harder getting it into the fresh tank unless you have a direct fill connection. You could get it in through the connection to the overflow hose if you can get to it.

Any other ideas?

If you are using the city water connection leave the fill valve off and the pump off. If you are leaving the coach shut the water supply off.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 27, 2016, 09:49:17 am
Roger

We do a lot of boondocking so I can pump the vinegar into the fresh water tank without too much of a problem. Just did not know what we needed to do to use a park hook-up as we always run off the tank. Will definitely make sure the water is shutoff when we leave the rig.

It also concerns me that the audit monitor works great for the fresh water while the see level is not functioning. The see level works great on both the grey and black and we do nothing special to clean those out. Puzzling.

Roland
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: John and Stacey on July 27, 2016, 10:08:21 am
Great timing on this thread.....I am not getting a reading on my audit at all....shows LP, Fresh, Grey, Black...no quantity.
Had it at FOT for many other items, now Audit does not work, Had elect shoreline added and auto Gen-Start checked out.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: John Duld on July 27, 2016, 11:02:33 am
On my coach the audit computer and multiplexer were mounted on the pull up board under the dash center lift up lid.
I think all the indications you have lost go through the multiplexer. Check all the connections there, especially if someone was working in there.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 27, 2016, 12:15:41 pm
It also concerns me that the audit monitor works great for the fresh water while the see level is not functioning. The see level works great on both the grey and black and we do nothing special to clean those out. Puzzling.
Roland,

I agree, seems strange that your problem only affects the readings from one tank.  Have you done all you can to rule out the possibility of a wiring (communication) malfunction between the See Level sensor(s) and the monitor?  I assume they have some kind of "plug & play" connectors?
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 27, 2016, 12:46:18 pm
Roland,

I agree, seems strange that your problem only affects the readings from one tank.  Have you done all you can to rule out the possibility of a wiring (communication) malfunction between the See Level sensor(s) and the monitor?  I assume they have some kind of "plug & play" connectors?
Yes I did not want to troubleshoot the system myself so I had the installer do the trouble shooting. He called Garnett after verifying that the setup seemed to be working as designed and they came up with this calcium thing. I am going to try the vinegar thing before I resort to installing a new strip.

Roland
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2016, 10:56:57 am
Roger

Reread you post. I don't believe my audit system works with a pressure transducer. I have sensors on my tank, all the tanks actually. They be the kind that has the sensor doohickeys inside the tank. That's why I can't understand why one monitoring system works and the other does not. If it is calcium built-up inside the tank seems to me the internal sensors would be coated. In any case I pumped in ten gallons of vinegar yesterday no change in readings today. Will leave the stuff in another day see what happens.

Roland
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 28, 2016, 11:15:25 am
Roland,

You probably have the same tank sensors as we do, since our coaches are practically litter mates.  See photo.

You put 10 gallons of vinegar in your tank, plus I assume also added water to fill the tank up?  Otherwise, 10 gallons won't even cover the lowest set of sensor contacts.
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2016, 11:25:40 am
Already had water in the tank. Vinegar is diluted but hoping it is going to work. Would be a bit of a hassle and $$$ to pump in a hundred gallons of vinegar. I would have used CLR but couldn't figure out how I would wash the tank afterwards, have to remember we full-time.

Roland
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on July 28, 2016, 11:38:11 am
We have problems with ours as well (who does not?) so I'm following this with interest. I assume the old saw, "fill the tank with ice cubes and drive on bumpy roads" does not apply anymore?
Title: Re: See Level system
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2016, 12:02:53 pm
I assume the old saw, "fill the tank with ice cubes and drive on bumpy roads" does not apply anymore?

Ice cubes are very light don't believe driving on bumpy roads will do much, just put a lot of stress on the coach. Several  Utube videos dispel the ice cube myth. Would have to cut a hole in the tank to get them in.....ice cubes don't go through the pump I use to fill the tank very well.

Roland