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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Dub on May 07, 2019, 10:13:01 am

Title: Water fill
Post by: Dub on May 07, 2019, 10:13:01 am
Today I'm doing the fresh water fill and will follow what Chuck did to his. My tank isn't as easy seen thru to visually watch for water level. Like most I don't like the full run over method. Need an idea on checking for full at the same side of the tank I'm filling.  Captain obvious could probably answer this but I'm hitting a dead end on ideas that won't spill water. Don't want to spill water or I would leave it like it is..My 280 you could see the water line plain as day but not so on this one..
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: craneman on May 07, 2019, 10:18:17 am
Find Roger's post on automatic fill shutoff.
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: Dub on May 07, 2019, 10:50:37 am
Thanks
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 07, 2019, 11:03:14 am
While spilling water when full is not the best idea, the summer season means fast evaporation and not nearly as serious and later in the fall/winter.

I wonder if you could drain the tank completely and then get a water totalizer to fill it 90% of the way? See many models at: water totalizer - Google Search (https://www.google.com/search?q=water+totalizer&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjF683J1oniAhULVa0KHW3MA50QsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=3174&bih=1536) . Downside here is that you would have to drain the tank completely before filling

Perhaps the best idea would be to make a sight tube where you could open the wet bay and instantly see the level. Easy to make and install. While our later fire trucks had gauges, the earlier models just had sight tubes on the pump panel. It's just a rigid clear plastic pipe connected to any water tank source.

Pierce
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: jor on May 07, 2019, 11:39:09 am
Quote
Perhaps the best idea would be to make a sight tube where you could open the wet bay and instantly see the level.


There are some old threads with photos describing this solution. I made one up for one of our rigs and it worked great. Or you can redirect your water overfill through the floor and forget about the wet bulkhead issue. Or you could install a SeeLevel or other system with a monitor in the wet bay. Lots of good solutions.
jor
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: bdale on May 07, 2019, 11:40:07 am
A Seelevel tank monitor system is a nice upgrade to the OEM and a remote panel in the wet bay would solve your issue.  The typical installation for your coach would be to purchase 2 full systems because you need extra sensor strips for your tall tanks.  One remote panel inside and another outside.
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: Dub on May 07, 2019, 01:02:41 pm
I've read all the post on different fill systems built here and all are done nicely. I have chose to copy Chuck because less involved and accomplishes end result.
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: Barry & Cindy on May 07, 2019, 01:25:08 pm
Dub, For 20 years we fill our fresh water tank every week and by looking at water level, stop before overflowing.

Tank is translucent, we removed top angle fiberglass trim that hides seeing top of fresh water tank. We have placed a florescent lamp on top of tank with part of the lamp sticking out. With lamp on, we can easily see water level with our eyes.

On the curbside, our hot water tank blocks seeing the backside of the fresh water tank. But years ago, we replaced our hot water tank and when it was out, we re-routed & extended the 'top of fresh water tank overflow hose' so it now empties under coach about 3 feet from bulkhead in the area under the water manifold .

With your overflow above bulkhead, you may be able to jury-rig with a cutoff gallon water jug a way to catch the bulkhead water overflow and direct water away from bulkhead.  But most of the time you will be able to turn water fill off before overflowing.

Below are labels that we made to attach to the outside of fresh water tank to know gallons of water below the water level surface.  Label is accurate in that it is adjusted for the lower quantity of water at lower tank heights due to the tank angled construction.


Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: jcus on May 07, 2019, 01:55:35 pm
Another way.  Open the valve and water in clear tubing will be the same as in the tank.
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on May 07, 2019, 02:30:11 pm
I endorse the two SeeLevel system approach. 

My thread on an automated means to turn off the 12v solenoid fill valve works if you have an electric solenoid fill valve.  If you don't you can use it to turn on a buzzer/light to let you know if you are close to full or close to empty.

Water Fill Valve Auto Shut-off (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=32334.msg289041#msg289041)

Sensa Level Ultra Tank Sensor for Water and Waste Tanks (https://seacoastservices.com/sensa-ultra/)

Sensor only
LevelGuard Tank Monitor 100 Switch [Z160TSRK] | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/143181812081)

Watching the water fill could take half an hour or more.  Just a bit of distraction and the water is overflowing. 
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: Dub on May 07, 2019, 02:34:49 pm
All good ideas.. that floursant light trick should lite this booger up to where water level will show while I sit on my stool looking at it.
Title: Re: Water fill
Post by: ohsonew on May 07, 2019, 08:55:44 pm
I've made new led light fixtures to be installed in all my bays. I plan on using the new lights on top of the tank so that I can see the level. When I filled before, I tried to have the drivers side bay door open to the sun so I could watch from the other side. The new light should make it viable without the help of the sun and one on each side I can watch where ever.

Larry