Grand Villa dashboard

Topic: Grand Villa dashboard (Read 960 times) previous topic - next topic

Grand Villa dashboard

September 28, 2015, 03:28:02 pm

If it's on the dash, I'm looking at it for hours and hours and would just like it to work.
Currently most everything does and I'm great full for that, but what's up with the display for the holding tanks. Sometime shows 1/4 or 1/2 and the case of the propane dead on accurate. The display is new so I know that's not the problem. Is there some kind of replacement strip for the tanks or some cleaning that I haven't heard about ?

I've never been big on alternate equipment on the dash. I like original equipment and would spend double ( don't tell DW I said that)
To repair or replace whatever to maintain that.
Only exception would be the heads up display, like the Corvette has. That would be cooool. All info displayed on window.

But that's not gonna happen any time soon, so I'm back to the system that I have.

Perhaps there is a new display that integrates the holding tanks with the backup camera for big bucks. Which would be a shame because the backup camera works fine.

Got to be some other Grand Villa's out there with same concerns.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #1 – September 28, 2015, 03:43:16 pm

Bob,

The older systems were not very good. They have few sensors. You can try cleaning the tank. The propane is read from the gauge on the tank so it will be accurate.

I have copied the following from my See-Level tank system manual for you to try to clean the tank sensors.

There may be a buildup on the inside walls of black and grey
tanks. We get calls occasionally about older coaches that have
been in service for a few years in which the black tank will now
indicate a level even though it is empty. The likely cause is that
the tank has a significant build-up, probably exceeding ¼ to
½ inch thick! Redex is not an acceptable chemical to promote
clean tank walls; it is far too slow to get the breakdown action
started. Use an RV type of liquid chemical, we suggest Tissue
Digester, Sensor Cleaner, or the latest we have used called
Happy Campers Holding Tank Extreme Cleaner available at
Happy Campers & Healthy Boaters RV and Boat Odor Removal
. The next time you take a
trip, leave with a high concentration of the chemical in the
tank and approximately 30% full of fresh water. Hopefully
you can drive for 2-3 days allowing the tank levels to rise
through normal use. We recommend that you exceed the
level that you see the system report when the tank is empty.
After the sloshing and the soaking hopefully the build-up will
be flushed away when the tank is drained and flushed. If you
still have symptoms the treatment may required a few more
times. The waste did not build up on the tank wall in one day,
so it may not dissolve in one treatment! The build-up looks
like water to the system since it holds a significant volume of
water in the build-up area. It takes much more than a film or
piece of tissue to cause the error

Keith

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #2 – September 28, 2015, 05:52:29 pm

My 1990 Unihome Audit tank monitor still works pretty good and it is original to the coach, although the monitor was replaced in 1996 I believe. I think the key is clean tanks. The previous owner installed tank washers in both the grey and black water tanks. I have both a "jet" and a "spray" nozzle on each tank. I use them after each tank dump and it seems to keep the system working.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #3 – September 28, 2015, 06:21:19 pm

Bob,
I think you need to identify what kind of tank sensors you have. Your right it's not the monitor at all. The symptoms do sound familiar with what I experienced before I added a tank flush over the sensors. Mine like Kemehjohn's is the old screw on side of tank with wires attached. Typically located on passengers side of coach on end of tanks, probably behind a panel. There are two screws at the 1/4 level, and one at 1/2, 3/4, and full levels. Uses principle of measuring conductivity through liquid from one reference screw on bottom to the other screws. "Stuff" gets hung up on the screw heads on the inside and they remains moist so the sensors get fooled. I saw the false reading almost exclusively on the black water tank. Photos of your tank sensors will help the rest of us help you.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #4 – September 28, 2015, 06:58:16 pm

Bob,
I have almost the same problem, propane reads correct and the black. grey & fresh read empty. There should be two strips of aluminum foil down each tank with a wire connected to each strip. Two strips and two wires per tank. You should be able to access the dark and grey tanks from behind the panel in the bay with the water heater. The fresh water tank strips are a little more difficult because they are behind the water heater. The wires on mine have disconnected from the aluminum strips and I am currently trying to find a good way to reattach them. The bonding material must be a good conductor.

I believe the PO of my coach damaged them while pulling in new fuel lines to the rear of the coach.

This "fix it" item is still on my to do list.

Hope this helps....

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #5 – September 28, 2015, 07:11:58 pm

Kieth.
Thanks for the feedback about the happy campers cleaning solutions. That will also make the DW happy to have yet another cleaning procedure for "that area". I'm assuming that type of cleaning would not apply to the fresh water tank. Apologize if that's a dumb question.

Kemajohn.
Great to know that some do work. Are there any recommendations for the tank flushing equipment to get. Would it be what Foretravel uses in their new coaches.

I try to follow the " do one thing, do it well and then and only then move on" rule. Works about 1/2 the time. Really hard with my new Fortravel toy.

John. Here is photo's of what I can see easily. Will have to wait until I get back to the shop to pull panel by water heater to see what's in there. Don't get what could be clouding or masking the reading from the fresh water. Like to think that tank is clean already. 😜

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #6 – September 28, 2015, 09:42:24 pm

Thanks for the feedback about the happy campers cleaning solutions. That will also make the DW happy to have yet another cleaning procedure for "that area". I'm assuming that type of cleaning would not apply to the fresh water tank. Apologize if that's a dumb question.
DO NOT PUT THAT IN YOUR FRESH WATER TANK!!!!!!!!

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #7 – September 28, 2015, 11:38:10 pm

Bob,
I think FourTravelers has your answer. I can see the foil strips in the first photo. I think this would be an early generation of capacitive style sensor. Newer ones, like the SeeLevel, are based on the same principle but use a green flex circuit to attach to the tank.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #8 – September 29, 2015, 03:14:05 pm

Pulled the panel for the gray and black water tanks today this is what I found. Looks like the screw electrode type was original equipment. PO or whomever changed the system over to an aluminum or stainless steel tape type of sending system.

I would like to go back to original screw electrode type if possible. The tape thing that I have is clearly ( or not so clearly obviously) NOT working.

Or can the sea view system with the tape be connected to my existing wiring and monitor.

Also found these red and black wires from the monitor that after about 3 splices go to this "exterminator noise filter". Leaves me to wonder why the monitor might need that.

Sorry to seem so ignorant about this but I am.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #9 – September 29, 2015, 03:20:28 pm

Quote from: Bob & Sue – September 29, 2015, 03:14:05 pm

3 splices go to this "exterminator noise filter". Leaves me to wonder why the monitor might need that.

Is that some kind of sensor to warn you if critters have entered the coach?

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #10 – September 29, 2015, 03:42:39 pm

Quote from: Bob & Sue – September 29, 2015, 03:14:05 pm

Pulled the panel for the gray and black water tanks today this is what I found. Looks like the screw electrode type was original equipment. PO or whomever changed the system over to an aluminum or stainless steel tape type of sending system.

Howdy Bob & Sue, I have changed my Tank Level system to a See Level. I think some folks have had success getting the Audit system working by adding aluminum tape over the existing aluminum sensors. 2nd paragraph.
Link: Tank level indicator troubleshooting
Link: TLI success!
Good luck, Dave A

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #11 – September 29, 2015, 03:47:09 pm

The Exterminator is there to prevent radio frequency noise from entering the signal path. Possibly and attempt to prevent the rolling bars that happen so frequently on the old style CRT monitors. If yours doesn't have that problem, then maybe it is working

These devices are most often used on car stereos to keep alternator noise from messing with your listening pleasure... Ours had a similar one, but a different brand as well as a 12 vdc regulated power module. It however, had a terrible image and massive rolling bars. I couldn't get rid of it quick enough... To me, image quality trumps the factory look. Heck, if I knew where the circuit traces for the electroluminescent backlighting on our dash, I might be able cut the hole larger to fit a nice 7" HD monitor and have the best of both worlds. I also put in the SeeLevel system with two monitors, one in the utility bay and one in the coach info panel where the Powerwatch monitor resides. I find the 3% to 5% resolution of the levels so much more boondocking friendly than the original set up where you get basically 33% resolution on the levels (and that is only when they work properly!)
Don

Quote from: Bob & Sue – September 29, 2015, 03:14:05 pm

Also found these red and black wires from the monitor that after about 3 splices go to this "exterminator noise filter". Leaves me to wonder why the monitor might need that.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #12 – September 29, 2015, 04:29:43 pm

I will also add that the button type old sensors are very prone to getting contaminated by TP, etc and then the sensor will not work.

Rich

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #13 – September 29, 2015, 05:02:20 pm

Quote from: mike leary – September 29, 2015, 03:20:28 pm

Is that some kind of sensor to warn you if critters have entered the coach?

Ya, no guess not. Found a couple more under dash behind tv. Necessary electronic thing... Thanks for that Don.

Cleaned out drawers under pilot, and tv. Pulled out drawers to access cavity behind and found couple screws, carpet trimings, few wire connectors and dust. Hoping not to find critter evidence and didn't. Whew.

Found a "digital voice power supply" thing too. Remove that with a key that I don't have. Latter maybe.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #14 – September 29, 2015, 05:28:34 pm

My 95 tanks also had the screw electrode terminals but used the newer aluminum tape type. I think Foretravel was just using up old tank inventory. I got mine working by adding and replacing tape but ended up installing SeeLevel. In the photo you can see the old electrode mounts on my gray tank. The black tank on the left is a new tank.
jor

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #15 – September 29, 2015, 05:47:01 pm

Bob,
Could be a complete waste of time but replacing the aluminum tape with copper tape might work. You can solder the copper tape and get a very good electrical connection - assuming that's the issue. Since I have the older screw type I have zero experience with your style sensors.
Copper adhesive tape can be a little hard to find. Here's one online source: McMaster-Carr

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #16 – September 29, 2015, 06:01:12 pm

Thanks Jor. Nice clean Bay Area. I like it.

My take away is.

* original equipment button style sensors, not gonna happen. Button is available but how do I wire it.

*. Cut the existing aluminum strips to proper size ( same as existing fresh water).

*. Clean electrodes at the tank end and make sure they are tight (if it isn't glued, bolted or installed with lock tight, check for looseness on these coaches).

*. If that don't work. Get over it and put in Sea View system monitor in wet bay (that will be handy) and one in coach.

Thanks to all for your help. Amazing resource this forum.

Robert

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #17 – September 30, 2015, 05:33:14 am

Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) – September 29, 2015, 03:47:09 pm

It however, had a terrible image and massive rolling bars. I couldn't get rid of it quick enough...

We had the scrolling bars so bad that the image was unreadable. I removed the AC controls to access the monitor cover.
With the cover removed a little adjustment on the horizontal hold pot corrected it. Nice clear image now, still need to repair the broken probe wires from the signal amplifier to the Audit controller.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #18 – September 30, 2015, 12:48:00 pm

Other than the rolling bars, the image was dim and provided no useful information. I adjusted pots and played with it a bit, but no significant improvement was possible. Besides, I knew I was going to want to upgrade it to a color 16:9 widescreen that was tillable with zoom

Don

Quote from: FourTravelers – September 30, 2015, 05:33:14 am

Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) – September 29, 2015, 03:47:09 pm
It however, had a terrible image and massive rolling bars. I couldn't get rid of it quick enough...

We had the scrolling bars so bad that the image was unreadable. I removed the AC controls to access the monitor cover.
With the cover removed a little adjustment on the horizontal hold pot corrected it. Nice clear image now, still need to repair the broken probe wires from the signal amplifier to the Audit controller.

Re: Grand Villa dashboard

Reply #19 – September 30, 2015, 02:47:52 pm

Don
I will probably do the same when the Javelina finally gives out completely. But for now we need to spend on other things. (like air bags).

Justin

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